With a blessing ceremony for health and success held on 9 May 2026, the restoration of the Varna – Batumi ferry line and the commissioning of a second vessel were officially marked. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, business circles, and the maritime industry, including the Director General of the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company (BPI Co.) Kristiyan Bogoev.
The Director General of BPI Co. emphasized that the results achieved over the past year and three months are a clear example of successful cooperation between the public and private sectors. According to him, the ferry terminal represents a key gateway between Asia and Europe that had remained closed for many years but is now once again open to the movement of goods and the integration of markets. Mr Bogoev expressed gratitude to the operators of the line for their efforts in securing vessels and establishing sustainable cargo flows. He also noted that should cargo volumes continue to grow steadily, the involvement of a third vessel would be possible. Specialized operators handling non-standard cargo types have already expressed interest in the terminal.
Alongside the expansion of the ferry service, active investments are also being made in the modernization of the terminal. A new parking facility covering more than 30 decares has been constructed, road pavements within the terminal area have been rehabilitated, and the security system has been fully upgraded and is now operating at full capacity. According to the Director General, replacement of railway sleepers is currently underway in order to increase the terminal’s rail freight handling capacity, while two warehouses used for the processing of rail wagons have also been renovated.
It should be recalled that since 8 April 2026, the motor vessel NAPOLI has been operating alongside the motor vessel VILNIUS, which launched the service on 16 January 2025. The two vessels currently serve the route at full capacity in both directions, further establishing Port Terminal Ferry Complex Varna as a key logistics hub in the Black Sea basin, connecting the European Union with the Caucasus region and Central Asia.
