Port of Burgas to become the main Black Sea Port

The EU Transport Development Strategy provides for the Port of Burgas to become the major Black Sea port, announced for Klassa daily, Dian Dimov, CEO of Port of Burgas. He explained that the development plans were adopted by the EC (European Commission) in November 2011. The conversion of the Port of Burgas into a main port completely justifies the need for the construction of Terminal 4 for container freight services. This is also envisaged in the General Plan for the port's development until 2015. A facility for processing 500 tonnes of TEU containers per year costs €120 - €140 mln. The new Terminal of Burgas must have similar financial parameters but, so far, no funding for its construction has been secured. "The construction of the Terminal can be implemented through a public-private partnership based on the BOT (Build - Operate – Transfer) principle, explained Dimov. The project is expected to be updated in 2013 but the construction of Terminal 4 is not expected to be suspended. Until construction begins, cargo may be handled by the effective West Terminal and the new Terminal 2A. There are three container operators in Burgas and Bulgaria handles some 200,000 tonnes of TEU containers annually.

For 2011, the port reported a pre-tax profit of BGN 8 mln. Total revenues increased by 36%, compared to the projected figures and by 41%, compared to the results reported for the corresponding period of 2010. Processed cargo was over 3.5 million tonnes, or 300, 0000 tonnes more than last year.