The shipyard traces its origins back to 1898, when Jakov Katalinić founded a wooden boat workshop in Zadar, later expanded to include steamship repairs. After World War II, in 1946, the “Jadran” shipyard was established, forming the foundation of today’s operations.

By 1956, a significant number of vessels had been built, and the name was changed to “Zadar Shipyard.” From 1959, it operated within the company “Tankerska Plovidba.” Due to expansion and growing operational needs, in the early 1980s the shipyard relocated to Vela Lamjana Bay on the island of Ugljan, where it continues to operate today.