Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company (BPIC) is in the process of delivering waste reception facilities for ship-generated waste, as well as highly specialized equipment for prevention and response to operational and emergency contamination (SPREC) – boats, booms, skimmers and other equipment adapted to the specifics of river and marine environments.
This was announced by BPI Co.’s Director General Angel Zaburtov during the opening event of the project “Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Port Reception Facilities (PRF) in Bulgarian Ports of National Public Transport Significance.” The project is funded through the Operational Programme “Transport and Transport Infrastructure” 2014-2020 and national co-financing. The event was held online with high interest on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
To date, BPI Co. has implemented several important projects funded by the Operational Programme, deploying and commissioning high-tech systems at European standards. These contribute both to navigation safety and our country’s security, placing us at the forefront of water transport digitalization in Europe. This current project takes us a major step forward towards achieving a greener Bulgaria, states Galina Vasileva, Head of the Managing Authority of OP “Transport and Transport Infrastructure.”
Enclosed areas with stationary reception facilities for separate collection of ship-generated waste will be constructed in Ruse, Lom, Silistra, Varna, and Burgas. In Varna and Burgas, the ship waste reception facilities complement existing ones and are designed to serve designated zones for small vessels. For river ports, the reception facilities are part of the planned comprehensive organization for receiving ship waste.
SPREC equipment is designed for operations in port waters but can be used throughout the Bulgarian section of the Danube River and in open sea when necessary. The equipment’s containerization and trailer mounting ensures high autonomy and capability for rapid mobilization and transport to contamination sites.
An integrated information platform is also under development. It will serve to consolidate information, control waste reception activities and emergency contamination response, as well as facilitate coordination between responsible persons and institutions.