Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Three years after the issuance of construction permits it is realistic to have the intermodal terminal in Varna built, announced the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Danail Papazov today in Varna. He briefed the Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski on the upcoming investment activities for the construction of Varna intermodal terminal and the relocation of part of the activities of the port Varna–East, during the demonstration run of "Atanas Dimitrov" ship.

Port Varna-East should be relocated to a new, larger area with the possibility to expand without interrupting the activities in the city, said Minister Danail Papazov. In this regard, a competition for the selection of a contractor to prepare a detailed design for the new modern intermodal terminal was announced on 30 April 2014.

Minister Papazov specified that the terminal will be located in the Maksuda region and construction works will be carried out south of the railway line Sofia - Varna and will not affect the urban area as road freight traffic will be diverted outside the city center. A quay wall, 1100 meters at length, which can simultaneously process 5 or 6 ship will be built, and the berths will be specialized for grain and container handling using state-of-art technology.

Part of the international competition for the selection of a contractor is the development of two preliminary projects for the construction of a modern recreational area at the site of the current Port Varna-East, which is to attract visitors in Varna. 

Intermodal terminals in the city area should provide new logistic opportunities for freight transportations between the three modes of transport: sea, rail and road with the relevant technical and technological combinations.

Additional port facilities (infrastructure and equipment) will be deployed for the main types of cargo - container, grain cargoes and some general cargo, including heavy and oversized cargo.

The design of Varna intermodal terminal will include the property managed by Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company and National Railway Infrastructure Company.

The main parameters that the facilities at the port area need to meet are: depth of operational marine areas - at least 12.50 m; two berths for container handling - with a total volume of not less than 400,000 TEU / year; two berths for handling 3 million tons of grain / year for export; a multi-purpose berth with a capacity of 200 thousand tons / year; a quay / berth for service vessels, tugs, a fueling vessel, etc..

New infrastructure will be developed at the site of the existing terminal Varna-East (Zone 2) that will encourage the emergence and strengthening of: passenger cruises; marinas and sporting activities; research, information and statistical activities; cultural activities, etc.

A new Passenger Terminal will be located at berths 7-10 in strict compliance with the International Ships and Ports Security Code (ISPS). The expectations of the citizens and tourists of the city for a quick and direct access to the sea will be fulfilled.