Croatian Seamen Union leader Vladimir Svalina told a joint news conference in Split that 25 ships sailed between the Croatian and Italian coasts daily, including those which failed to meet the minimum standards.
He said those ships, sailing under Liberia's or Panama's flags, were old and employed underpaid workers, which made them hazardous.
Representatives of Croatian and Italian seamen unions announced talks with ship owners, hoping they would result in the signing of collective agreements for seamen.
They also said they expected competent Croatian and Italian state institutions to adopt legislation ensuring safer navigation in the Adriatic for seamen, passengers and the environment.