In 2023, the number of cargo and passenger ships calling at the main EU ports was 2.2 million, an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year, Eurostat reports. The largest number of vessels – 477,115 – were called in Greece, followed by Italy (449,131 vessels) and Denmark (322,230 vessels). On the other hand, Slovenia (1,760 vessels), Cyprus (2,090 vessels) and Bulgaria (2,851 vessels) reported the smallest number. Compared to 2013, 12 out of 22 member states reported growth in the number of vessels they serve. The largest increases were registered in Malta (100.8 percent), Croatia (40.3 percent) and Spain (31 percent). The largest declines were recorded in Finland (26.6 per cent), Latvia (24.3 per cent) and Bulgaria (21.2 per cent). In 2023, the average gross tonnage of vessels berthed in the main EU ports was 8,058 tonnes, which was 5.2 per cent more than in 2022 (7,662 tonnes). Compared to 2013, the average volume of vessels increased by 18.1 per cent. Belgium reported the largest average volume of vessels at the main ports in 2023 (32,446 tonnes), followed by Slovenia (29,578 tonnes) and France (29,173 tonnes), while the lowest average gross tonnage was recorded in Croatia (1,533 tonnes), Greece (3,264 tonnes) and Denmark (3,573 tonnes). Compared to 2022 Italy recorded the largest average increase in the volume of vessels calling at ports (25.6%), followed by Bulgaria (15.4%) and Romania (14.6%), while Malta (6.1%), Denmark (3.8%) and Latvia (1.6%) had the largest decreases. A total of 19 Member States recorded an increase in the average volume of vessels compared to 2022, with the number reaching 20 when compared to 2013.
Source: BTA (29.01.2025)

A huge cargo ship with 58 thousand tons of goods arrives in Barna One of the largest cargo ships in the world will dock at the Port of Varna for the first time. It is of the Panamax class and will deliver 58 thousand tons of rapeseed to Bulgaria. The cargo comes from Canada and is intended for the largest processor of oilseed crops in our country - "Oliva" AD. The rapeseed was produced in Canada and will be processed in the factories of the Bulgarian company. The import is carried out from there, due to the lack of raw material in our country and the restrictions on imports from Ukraine. In Bulgaria, the processing capacities for sunflower into oil, peeled seeds and meal are for over 4 million tons per year, and even in the best agricultural years, the annual production of sunflower in our country was not enough for full capacity utilization, commented by "Oliva". Therefore, the processors import sunflower from other countries - mainly from Ukraine, which is the largest producer in the world.
Source: money.bg (14.04.2025)

Record cargo turnover at the port of "Varna-West" A record cargo turnover of over 845,000 tons was processed at the Varna-West port terminal in May 2025, the operator Port of Varna EAD announced. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 3 million tons of cargo have passed through the terminal, which is a growth of 12% compared to the same period in 2024. There has been an increase in grain cargo by 200% compared to the previous year. Currently, the cargo turnover is nearly 600 thousand tons in both the "import" and "export" directions. The Varna-West grain terminal, which was put into operation in 2024, contributed to the achievement of the set goals. After the completion of the installation of the new technological equipment at the 15th berth of the port terminal, the grain processing capacity will amount to over 2 million tons per year. The revenue of "Port of Varna" amounts to over 83.5 million leva in 2024, which is a decrease of 1.5 million compared to the previous year. Its profit also decreases to 8.3 million leva from over 14.6 million leva in 2023. The main reason for this is the increased costs for external services and salaries. The capital of "Port of Varna" EAD amounts to nearly 8.5 million leva. The company is managed by a 5-member Board of Directors. Its Chairman is Tihomir Iliev Todorov, and the Deputy Chairman is Alexander Miladinov Alexandrov. The other members of the Board of Directors are Friedrich Katzer, appointed by the Minister of Transport, and Kiril Vassilev Karagyozev, appointed after a competition as a representative of the state. The fifth member of the Board of Directors is Ivaylo Slavov Gavrailov, who is also the Executive Director of "Port of Varna". He has held the position since June 2022 after a competition. The company employs 1,245 employees, with liabilities to personnel amounting to nearly 4 million leva by the end of 2024. Total personnel costs amounted to over 51.2 million leva last year. This means that the gross average salary is over 3,400 leva. The remuneration of key management personnel amounts to 456 thousand leva, which is an increase of about 50,000 leva compared to 2023.
Source: mediapool.bg (06.06.2025)