Bulgarian Ports
Infrastructure Company

Although there are still no accurate statistics on the number of women working in the maritime industry in Bulgaria, more and more ladies graduate in maritime specialties and are looking for a realization in this direction. Granting that in the recent years there has been no decline in those willing to practice maritime industry-related jobs and even inflows of women employed in the industry, their numbers are still relatively small, experts say.

Until recently accepted as purely male, the seafaring profession is a great challenge for women because the responsibilities are great, and the list of qualities you need to have to prove yourself among men and gain confidence is not a small one. Maritime profession is a vacation and way of life, Tanya Georgieva is categorical, and who has worked for many years as an operator at the Varna Radio Station at the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company /BPI Co./.

The coastal radio station was established in the distant 1947. It is connected not only with the first successful broadcasts, but also with the calling of the LZW call signal still used today. Interestingly, women were more preferred than men for work at the Coastal Station’s telephone service, because at that time the female voice was considered more passable, heard farther heard and this helped for better communication. Tanya says she sought a job in the maritime sector because of her great love for the sea, and graduated with distinction Master’s Degree in International Maritime Law and Risk Management. In addition to good motivation, strong will and tenacity are needed to succeed in the industry, she adds. Whatever difficulty we encounter in our pathway, we need to move forward, the young woman is categorical. She says that there are no divisions between men and women at the Vessels Traffic Management Centre in Varna and they all create a pleasant work atmosphere. Every working day is a new adventure because work is great passion for her. Tanya says she has inspired many young girls to follow her path. And if she could turn back time, she would still make the same choice.

Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company managed by Anguel Zabourtov is one of the industry structures with the strongest female presence. Ladies in BPI Co. are close to 40% of total staff. It is surprising that sea-related jobs are preferred not only by those living in the maritime cities but also by those in the capital. The most attractive is the seafaring profession for the ladies in Varna and Sofia. Most female representatives of BPI Co. work in the Head Office in Sofia, in BPI Co. Branch-Territorial Directorate Varna and in the Directorate Vessels Traffic Service Authority – Black Sea. In women’s hands are entrusted the Legal Affairs Directorate, Project Management Directorate and Infrastructure, Harbor Area and Property Directorate, as well PR Department to BPI Co. Under the female leadership is also the port terminal Petrol in Varna and the Director General of BPI Co. says that women are easier to work with because they are more motivated to prove their skills and professionalism and for them there are no cases that cannot be solved.