TPP Varna: The deepening of canals 1 and 2 in the port of Varna is of strategic importance for the region
The overall concept of the Port of Varna is a system of canals and quays with different purposes. And the deepening of channels 1 and 2 in the Port of Varna is a project that is strategic for Bulgaria and in particular for Varna. This is explained in his position by Danail Papazov, Executive Director of the Port of TPP-Ezerovo and TPP-Varna. He explains that two canals connect the Black Sea with Lake Varna, respectively, and Lake Varna - with Lake Beloslav. They are artificially dug and must be deepened periodically. It is stated that along the system of canals and lakes there are quay walls, separated in the sense of the legislation as terminals.
Some of them are public state property, and others are privately owned port terminals. There are also several new projects that are being worked on and are in various stages of development. Papazov clarifies that in total all terminals assume the berthing of about 60 ships at a time, and only 3 can be at TPP-Ezerovo, ie 5% of them.
The main measure for the integrated transport strategy to solve the problems related to transport accessibility is the deepening of the canals. This project will achieve a long-term solution to the current problems of approach and maneuvering of ships and future needs for new maneuvering zones, according to the investment intentions of port operators at all terminals located in the Port of Varna, the position states. It is added that the project has been discussed since 2014 and was included in 2017 in the investment program of the State Enterprise "Port Infrastructure" for 2018. However, the head of this enterprise was replaced on Friday by order of the Minister of Transport.
In 2017, the port of TPP Ezerovo was owned by CEZ, reminded by the current management. Papazov states that with the realization of this deepening of 14.50 m, Post-Panamax ships up to 70,000 tons will be allowed to visit Varna. This will increase the interest of shippers and investors. Papazov assures that no cubic cm has been deepened and is not planned to be deepened in the sense of this order in the area of TPP-Ezerovo, and the main goal, according to him, is the deepening of the canals to Varna-West, 11 km from TPP-Ezerovo.
He denies that the deepening is done exclusively in his favor. Papazov emphasizes that the overall design and delivery of new equipment for TPP-Varna and the Port of TPP-Ezerovo is performed by foreign companies that monitor, including the Bulgarian press, and this influences them when making investment decisions.