I was also part of the bridge construction

"Very few ocean-going cargo ships visit Croatia, and it was a special and unforgettable experience." Not long ago, when the cargo ship "AALSHANGHAI" sailed into the Croatian port of Ploce, the 65-year-old Croatian captain, Krisimir Spraia, looked proud.

In October this year, the "AALSHANGHAI" departed from Nantong, China, to Croatia to deliver steel box girders for the Pelješac Bridge and connecting line project in Croatia. The bridge, built by a consortium led by China Road & Bridge and built by ccCC No. 2 Public Office, spans the small Stone Bay in the Adriatic Sea and connects Croatian territory across the sea. At present, the concrete girder construction of the pile foundation, pile platform, pier body and tower pier girder consolidation section of the bridge has been completed, and the steel box girder hoisting and upper tower column construction stage are underway. The steel box girders that Spraia participates in the transport will serve as the main components of the connecting bridge.

After the cargo ship arrived, the local media who had been waiting for a long time boarded the ship for interviews. Spraia has nearly 30 years of sailing experience, and her weathered face is engraved with the imprints of time. From his humble beginnings as a shipyard employee, Spraia worked as a sailor and first officer of a cross-sea vessel, and until now a captain of an ocean-going vessel, sailing and calling in many countries around the world. Talking about the sailing experience, his excitement overflowed into words: "Starting from China, all the way south, through the Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, through the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and finally to the Adriatic Sea." The journey took 30 days. Although the voyage was a bit arduous, the thought of transporting materials for the construction of the bridge was particularly exciting. Building a bridge across the sea to connect the southern tip of Croatia with the northern part of the Pelješac Peninsula has been the long-cherished wish of generations in Croatia. I am very happy to be able to contribute to the construction of this country's project. ”

"In recent years, China's port throughput has grown rapidly, and shipping routes have become increasingly busy. I often travel back and forth between China and around the world, bringing Chinese goods to the world and shipping goods from all over the world to China. I truly feel the vitality of China's economic development. Spraia said that as more Belt and Road projects land in Croatia, the face of his hometown is also changing rapidly.

Looking at the towering piers in the distance, Spraia sighed continuously: "The construction speed of the bridge is really fast!" A friend of mine lives in Metković and has to take a detour of more than 30 kilometers a day to get to his company in Stone, and his commute will be reduced to 30 minutes when the bridge is opened. I can proudly say that I am also part of the construction of the bridge, which is worth a lifetime of pride for me and my family!"

(Rome Telegram)

People's Daily ( 03/12/2020)