By the end of the year, we should have a detailed plan for the development of maritime and river ports in Bulgaria. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications Danail Papazov at a joint press conference with the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas. The event was part of the International Conference of Maritime Ports, which took place from May 30 to 31 in Varna.
“It is high time to find a territory for the expansion of the ports in Burgas and Varna,” said Minister Papazov. According to him, this will free the central part of these cities on the one hand and create conditions for their long-term development on the other. “The connection of the ports with other modes of transport, and especially with the railway, which is a priority for the European Union, is also very important,” added Danail Papazov. According to him, the road infrastructure of Europe is overloaded and in the coming years an increase in the volume of cargo can be expected both in the Rhine – Main – Danube direction and in the railway network. Therefore, our country must take consistent steps for the development of this transport.
Minister Papazov stressed that there is an imbalance in the development of the northern and eastern ports in the port system of Europe. This is not only a challenge for the future development of Bulgarian ports, but also an opportunity to open the EU to the markets of the East. The increasing volume of cargo flows through the Black Sea to Europe increases the importance of the Danube River as a strategic transport corridor. In this context, the Bulgarian government will focus its efforts on the development and modernization of Bulgarian ports and their transformation into effective, competitive European transport centers.
The Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas noted that the future development of ports will be related to improving the connectivity of ports with other modes of transport. According to him, the modernization of the port environment will help to encourage their development as economic entities that can offer better services to their customers.
*The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) – unites the efforts of stakeholders to influence the formation of EU policies to achieve a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly port sector – a key element in the transport business, where free market relations dominate. ESPO is the organizer or co-organizer of all major and authoritative international forums in the field of maritime transport and port affairs. The organization actively cooperates with the EC in the discussion, drafting and implementation of directives and regulations concerning the field of maritime transport and the development of ports. Full members, on the principle of national representation, are all EU member states that have seaports.
The organization has a 20-year history, but for the first time the traditional annual conference of European seaports took place in a country from the Black Sea region. During the two days of the event, representatives of port authorities, port operators and other stakeholders related to the maritime business and regional development discussed the possibilities for promoting increased competitiveness through partnership mechanisms and joint initiatives. Specific issues that were discussed during the forum include the integration of ports into infrastructure corridors, marketing and advertising of port areas, and development strategies.