Using the SeaCras’s Coastal Intelligence system, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite technologies, a thin layer petroleum derivative (fuel) slick was detected in the wider port area of Hvar, including part of the adjacent coastal waters. Here’s more about the recent Hvar oil spill in the article below.
According to the criteria outlined in Annex I of the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, IMO), the identified pollution event qualifies as an accidental oil spill in the coastal zone.
In accordance with the Maritime Domain and Seaports Act (Official Gazette 83/23) and the Environmental Protection Act (Official Gazette 80/13, 153/13, 78/15, 12/18, 118/18), such an incident constitutes environmental degradation and mandates an appropriate assessment and response.
Note: This study refers exclusively to an internal study conducted by SEA CRAS d.o.o. The results will be published by the company’s scientific team in the form of a peer-reviewed scientific paper. The goal of this activity is to contribute to the conservation of the marine environment and ecosystem of the Republic of Croatia, and to enhance preparedness for future incidents, which, given the maritime traffic density of the Adriatic Sea, are likely.
Through the use of SeaCras proprietary technology, it was established that the spill consists of a petroleum derivative dispersed in an extremely thin surface film. The oil slick was observed on April 24, 2025, at 12:05 PM local time, in the area between the islet of Gališnik and the island of Hvar.
The spatial extent of the detected slick outside the Hvar port basin covers approximately 8 hectares (80,000 m²), and is illustrated in Figure 1.
Croatia and many of EU Member states still lack adequate monitoring capabilities for sudden pollution events affecting its territorial sea and internal waters
In the context of globally documented cases, it is important to emphasize that oil slicks of such small surface area are nearly undetectable using conventional monitoring methods. Specifically, the CleanSeaNet program of the European Commission, based on Sentinel-1 satellite radar (SAR) data, is incapable of detecting such phenomena for several reasons:
The spatial resolution of the available SAR data is insufficient – results are often too coarse for precise detection.
The use of Sentinel-1 radar imagery is not effective in enclosed, highly indented coastal zones, such as the waters around the Port of Hvar.
Complex coastlines like Croatia’s are characterised by diverse bathymetric and benthic properties and are full of small bays, narrow channels, and rocks in the sea, all of which hinder the use of traditional or most existing solutions available on the market.
Through the application of its proprietary technology, based on ultra-high spatial resolution satellite imagery analysis and AI-driven algorithms, SeaCras successfully detected petroleum derivative pollution in the form of an extremely thin surface film, covering a relatively small area compared to typical large-scale oil spills.
Nevertheless, even such a small detected slick constitutes an ecological incident with potentially long-term impacts on the marine environment of the area.
The SeaCras scientific team will continue with a detailed analysis of this incident and will propose mitigation and response measures aimed at protecting the wider affected marine area.
Satellite technology has been around for many years and we use it every day in many aspects of life without which the modern world can hardly function. And we came up with the idea of applying it in a special way, and that is the early detection system for marine pollution, which the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) recognised as well!
Those who follow our work know that, with the help of data obtained via satellite technology, we have developed a system that enables timely detection and warning of marine pollution, which has enabled us to cover extremely large sea areas that were previously difficult to monitor.
Major news for SeaCras on Earth Day! We’ve joined the family of the ‘Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters’ Charter thanks to our ‘We make the blue economy sustainable and transparent’ campaign, where we use our AI-satellite technology to deliver data and insights about sea health, and report on pollution incidents across Europe.
Actually, it’s across the globe now! This is our way of giving back to the planet and the community.
The Pillars That Guide Us
Here’s the breakdown of our campaign into 4 main pillars:
I. Raising public awareness, where we publish our results of detected sea pollution on our web and LinkedIn, as well as partnering with companies and NGOs to bring data to communities for free. Discover some of our research and work here in this link regarding catastrophic floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina (and consequently, the Neretva river delta pollution), and marine pollution on the island of Brač caused by a local quarry.
II. Increasing ocean and sea literacy, based on open science and open data principles by publishing case studies via international and recognised platforms such as UN OceanPrediction Atlas.
III. Community engagement with full transparency in data access, made possible with our SeaCras App free of charge. See our collaboration with Zadar Cruise Port.
Through this, we contribute to the large-scale protection and restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, while preventing pollution of our ocean, seas, and waters, in line with the EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil.
Commitment in Action
When looking at the strategic Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters objectives, our partners and we take all four of our pillars head-on.
Within our four pillars, we provide support to the EU Ocean Knowledge System and adhere to the FAIR principles when it comes to knowledge and data, involve citizens in the decision-making process, share knowledge and experience, and collaborate with other Mission actors.
Finally, with the rest of the Mission’s family, we make part of the collective progress of helping our seas and oceans.
As cruising industry leaders gathered at Seatrade Cruise in Miami with sustainability in focus, SeaCras, being featured in the print edition of Cruising Journal, gave them the chance to read more about our innovative role in driving marine preservation forward.
In the article, SeaCras clearly demonstrates what is necessary to be the ‘vessel of sustainability’ in the cruising industry.
By using satellite imaging and advanced AI data analysis, we help cruise lines and port operators monitor marine ecosystems in real time, minimise environmental impact, and meet the highest international sustainability standards — supporting cruise operators in aligning growth with global sustainability goals.
Being featured in the print edition of Cruising Journal is a great honour, as it gives us a platform to inspire the cruising industry to embrace sustainability, encouraging a future where luxury and environmental responsibility sail hand in hand.
Some of the industry players that are on the forefront of environmental protection are Dubrovnik Port Authority, Zadar Cruise Port, Korčula Port Authority, and many other key stakeholders in the Adriatic region.
On April 2, 2025, in Zagreb’s Esplanade hotel, we took part in the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) Impact & Connect After-Work Event! The topic of this event was tourism sector resilience to climate change.
Our CEO, Mario Špadina, on behalf of SeaCras, gave his expert knowledge overview on this extremely important topic for Croatia. And this discussion opened up space for common solutions and the exchange of ideas and connections with all those who shape the sustainable future of tourism.
“The sun and the sea are Croatia’s main resources, but this also brings challenges such as an increase in wildfires, the pressure on the infrastructure network and pollution incidents. That’s why SeaCras presented the optimisation of ecological anchorages as a successful model of sea protection, the calculation of carrying capacity based on real data, as well as the first global pollution monitoring system using AI and satellite images. And then, there’s also the importance of the concept of ‘regenerative tourism’”, Mario Špadina, PhD
In addition to SeaCras’ representative which focused on technology and environment, the policy and governance for sustainable destination management aspect was explained by Slavko Štefičar, Director of the Sustainable Development and Competitiveness of Tourist Destinations Directorate from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. He gave a detailed overview of the development strategy and explained which bottlenecks are currently present in Croatia. Marija Pujo Tadić, President of IICA and Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia, where she focused on global climate strategies.
The tourism sector is facing growing challenges from climate change, which requires sustainable investments, regulatory adaptations and strategic approaches to resilience.
Some of the main questions addressed by the experts were:
How can the industry prepare for the future?
What are the key financing mechanisms available for adaptation?
How can strategic development be based on data and AI for faster adaptation, adequate adjustment and increased competitiveness of destinations?
At this event, attended by the invited IICA members and special guests, speakers shared their experiences and their views on possible ways to strengthen the tourism sector resilience and strategic initiatives at the national and international levels.
Thank you to IICA for the invitation and for opening up such important topics, especially for Croatia, which has been feeling the strain and consequences of overtourism for quite some time now.
We truly appreciate every opportunity to engage and share.
