At the beginning of 2014, the first phase of the project “Creation of a River Information System in the Bulgarian Section of the Danube River – BULRIS” was successfully completed.
The established system was put into real operation, and through it, navigation on the Danube River is monitored. The river information system provides the capability for detailed visual monitoring of traffic and automatic identification of vessels. In the first phase of the “BULRIS” project, the main package of river information services was formed, related to Bulgaria’s commitments under the implementation of EU Directive 2005/44 and ensuring effective data exchange with other Danube countries.
Within the project, four specialized towers have been constructed, equipped with communication technology. Another 12 existing sites were equipped with the necessary facilities to ensure communication connectivity between all sites along the Danube River.
Operators of the river information system, employees of the State Enterprise “Port Infrastructure”, underwent specialized training to use the functions and various modules of the river information system in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River.
“BULRIS” is a large-scale complex project that includes the construction of modern infrastructure and a communication environment to provide information for the needs of navigation on Europe’s most significant water transport corridor. Current information on the condition of the fairway and traffic will help reduce emergency incidents. The system provides the opportunity for effective data exchange for statistical and customs needs and assists in enhancing the efficiency of partnerships between different institutions.
The aim of the system is the deployment and implementation of harmonized river information services to support transport on inland waterways and enhance the safety of navigation, expedite the servicing of ships and cargo, and control environmental protection.
The project “Creation of a River Information System in the Bulgarian Section of the Danube River” (BULRIS) is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme “Transport” 2007 – 2013. The beneficiary of the project is the State Enterprise “Port Infrastructure”, and the executor of the first phase is “BULRIS Union 2009”. The overall implementation of BULRIS will be completed by the end of 2015, with a total investment value of 32,427,697.90 BGN.
