Montenegro's Barska Plovidba is planning to open talks over a newbuilding in China.
It wants a new ro-pax to run between Bar and the Italian port of Bari.
"A team was set up to hold talks with Chinese partners on the potential construction of a new ferry boat," the director of Barska's tour agency, Sanja Tomasevic, said in a video posted on the website of Montenegrin public broadcaster Radio Televizija Crne Gore (RTCG).
TradeWinds has reported Barska was aiming to buy a ropax ferry before the end of the year to replace a ferry it is has been forced to sell for scrap because it no longer meets required class standards.
The 8,700-gt Sveti Stefan II (built 1973) served as a vital transport link between Montenegro and Italy until last December when Bureau Veritas pulled its classification certificates.
It was laid up in the Montenegrin town of Bar until last Sunday when it departed for the Turkish shipbreaking centre of Aliaga.
The ship reportedly has been sold for $265 per ldt, which equates to approximately $1m.
Company sources said they hope to acquire a new vessel by the start of next year.
As an interim measure, Croatian ferry operator Jadrolinija will deploy its 9,800-gt ropax ferry Dubrovnik (built 1979) on a bi-weekly service between Bar and Bari, with Barska Plovidba selling space to its freight and passenger clients.
Barska Plovidba is 51% owned by the government of Montenegro, with the remaining shares in private hands. The company also owns two modern handymax bulkers.
