Hi Geir,, just to clarify my first comment,, when I said "Croatian cargo ship" I actually meant:
Owned by TANKERSKA PLOVIDBA, Zadar, Croatia

.... however,, and only now I had recognized (thanks to you Geir!),, that the flag of this ship is changed and is now (again??):
CROATIA
That is good "news" and a good waymark...

Cheers

Your welcome Jadran, I guess what you describe goes for many European countries, it seems like it all comes down to money and by
using a flag of convenience they can cut costs and save money.
When I photogaphed NIN she was Malta flagged, so if her owners has choosen
to flag her back home to Croatia and use local crew than that is a good sign and hopfully there will be others to follow :-).

Brgds,
Geir

Thank you, Geir, for the photo of a Croatian cargo ship,, in the past time of 1960-1970s a really big fleet it was indeed (when considering, together with Croatia as the leader, the whole Yugoslav merchant fleet),, nowadays, and a truly sad fact to be when speaking about the Croatian reputable & proud shipping tradition, that only a small number of Croatian cargo ships are today sailing the seas....
Regards from Croatia /Jadran