Active work is underway on the implementation of a National Electronic Information Exchange System at Bulgaria’s public maritime ports, which will significantly reduce document processing times. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Angel Zabourtov, at the conference “Connectivity in the Black Sea Region – Turning Innovative Ideas into Practical Solutions”, held in Varna.
He emphasised that, in addition to infrastructure measures, it is essential to establish partnerships that support the continued digitalisation of the sector. “The digitalisation of traffic management, which has so far been introduced with the help of European funding, is one of the major achievements in Bulgaria’s blue economy,” the Deputy Minister noted.
Angel Zabourtov added that the next key steps are aimed at greener maritime transport and reducing the environmental impact of transport operations. This includes the adoption of advanced technologies, the use of alternative fuels, and the optimisation of operational processes.
“First and foremost, it is important to have modern vessels designed with a focus on energy efficiency. In addition, the use of alternative marine fuels – such as liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, or biofuels – can significantly reduce harmful emissions. Another essential component is the implementation of energy management systems on board vessels, which monitor and optimise fuel consumption. There is also growing interest in electric or hybrid propulsion, which can substantially reduce fuel use and emissions,” the Deputy Minister further stated.