We are minimizing marine and river pollution, using new port facilities

15 Април 2021

New port facilities will be commissioned at the Bulgarian river and sea ports. They will be used to receive waste from ship operations, as well as to eliminate water pollution. An Integrated Information Platform (IIP) for managing navigation waste at the ports, will also be introduced.

With the implementation of the “Delivery, installation and commissioning of port reception facilities (PSP) in Bulgarian ports for public transport of national importance” project, Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company is contributing to the compliance with the EU requirements for the preservation of the maritime and river environment, from waste disposal. This initiative is in line with EU’s circular economy action plan, as well as the international conventions and standards on the mitigation of the harmful impact of navigation. This project is financed through the Operational Programme Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2014 – 2020 and national co-financing.

The introduction of port reception facilities for ship waste will result in improved environment, both in the Black-Sea region, and in the region of the Danube, and will improve the safety of port operations and maritime and river transport. The orgnization and control of waste collection will be significantly improved and the readiness of the Bulgarian river ports for applying the Recommendations of the Danube Committee will be ensured. Proper organization and a system of fees shall be introduced, incentivizing waste delivery at the ports, in order to prevent their disposal in the waters.

The provision of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for participation in operations for the prevention and response to operational and emergency pollution in the waters within port limits, in conformity with the most stringent global standards, will for the first time provide overall organization of the response to emergency pollution in all marine and river waters. The new information system, developed within this project, will enable the improvement of the control and interaction between various stakeholders along the line, when delivering ship waste, as well as the detection and elimination of emergency marine and river pollution.