News

Bulgaria now possesses 18 hospital helicopter landing sites, forming a well-distributed national network for emergency medical assistance by air. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, at the opening of the new hospital helipad at the "Sv. Ivan Rilski" Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment in Gabrovo.

The first philatelic edition for 2026 is dedicated to Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone. This is also the first Bulgarian postage stamp with a denomination in Euro—small in size, but a sign of great historical significance for our country's new economic era. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov during the launch of the "Bulgaria in the Eurozone" postal-philatelic edition. The edition was validated by Ministers Grozdan Karadzhov and Temenuzhka Petkova, and the project's artist, Assoc. Prof.

The shipowner of the tanker "Kairos" has transferred the full amount of funds for the vessel's towing operation. The claim amounted to EUR 270,371, and the entire sum was paid today by the shipowner's shipping agent in Bulgaria—the company Parnavi EOOD.

The amount has been received in the account of the Maritime Administration Executive Agency, which coordinated the entire operation, and is to be reimbursed to the state budget.

By order of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, the post office station in the village of Karaisen, Pavlikeni municipality, will open its doors tomorrow. On the same day, all pensioners in the village will receive their pensions.

Besides the payment of pensions, all other services will be performed at the post office, including the exchange of Levs for Euros. 

The Maritime Administration has requested that the owner of the "Kairos" reimburse all costs incurred by the state for towing the tanker. The agency has already served a formal notice to the shipowner's Bulgarian agent via a private enforcement agent. The shipowner must reimburse the state the sum of EUR 270,371 by 12 January 2026. 

The funds cover the full amount of expenses incurred by the state for the operation to remove the "Kairos" from the shores of Ahtopol to the Bay of Burgas.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, held a telephone conversation with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of the Hellenic Republic, Christos Dimas, in connection with the continuing blockades by Greek farmers at border checkpoints and main road arteries between Bulgaria and Greece.

The design of two new pedestrian underpasses and the construction of permanent fencing along the railway line in the area of Vasil Kanchov Boulevard in Vratsa will begin immediately. The underpasses will ensure safe passage under both the railway line and the boulevard. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, during a visit to Vratsa and a meeting with Mayor Kalin Kamenov.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has approved six projects for the construction of fast-charging centres for electric vehicles along the national road network. The projects have a total value of nearly BGN 2.7 million, financed under the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021 – 2027.

Upon completion, the terminal will be entrusted to a private operator for management

European funding has been approved for the construction of an intermodal terminal in Ruse, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced. The total value of the project amounts to nearly BGN 117 million. The investment will be implemented under the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021 – 2027, with non-repayable funding of over BGN 97 million provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

Today, teams from the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration”, in cooperation with the contractor BMF TUG Service, successfully completed the towing operation of the tanker “KAIROS”, assisted by three tugboats. At approximately 5.30 p.m., the vessel reached its final destination and was anchored at the designated location in Burgas Bay. At present, the tanker poses no risk to safety and will not obstruct navigation in the area.

The operation will be carried out tomorrow

The hydraulic system of the motor vessel KAIROS has been successfully brought into working mode, and the tanker is prepared for towing to a safe location in the Bay of Burgas. The activities were carried out today in execution of the approved plan for securing the ship and under the supervision of the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration".

The execution of the approved operational plan for securing and subsequently towing the tanker KAIROS is commencing. It was prepared jointly by the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration" and the operation's contractor, BMF TUG Service.

This morning, an emergency marine generator with a capacity of 150 kW, intended to restore the operation of the tanker's anchoring equipment, was delivered to the port of Burgas. The generator will be loaded onto a workboat along with the necessary power supply equipment and mooring lines.

The operation to tow the tanker "Kairos", located in the Ahtopol area, is proceeding according to schedule and without delay. The government approved a decision today via written procedure to secure the 1.2 million BGN necessary for the execution of the activities. A contract with the contractor is due to be signed by the end of the day.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, has sent an official letter to the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in connection with the complicated situation at the border checkpoints between Bulgaria and Greece caused by blockades by Greek farmers.

The tanker "Kairos" is in a stable position, there is no environmental pollution, and preparations are set to begin for moving it to a safe location. This was stated by the Director of the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration"-Burgas, Zhivko Petrov, following the initial inspection of the ship carried out today. 

Today, inspectors from the "Maritime Administration" and a Border Police team boarded the ship for a preliminary check. The inspection confirmed earlier reports of serious damage to the stern of the vessel.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Grozdan Karadzhov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georg Georgiev, held a meeting today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bulgaria, Mehmet Uyanık, regarding the incident involving the tanker KAIROS, which has been anchored near Ahtopol since Friday.

Three of the ten-member crew of the motor vessel Kairos were successfully evacuated during a joint operation today between the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration" and the Navy. This was announced by the Director General of the Directorate for Emergency and Rescue Activities at the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration," Rumen Nikolov, at a briefing today with the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov.

The ten-member crew of the motor vessel Kairos, located in Bulgaria's territorial waters near Ahtopol, is well. They have food and water for several days, and Bulgarian authorities are in contact with them. The ship, sailing under the flag of Benin, is empty and has no cargo on board. The ship does not pose a danger to the environment. This was announced by Rumen Nikolov, Director General of the Directorate for Emergency and Rescue Activities at the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration," at a briefing earlier today.

The Executive Agency "Maritime Administration," together with the General Directorate "Border Police" and the Navy, are carrying out an operation to rescue a vessel that has entered the territorial waters of the Republic of Bulgaria. This is one of the two ships that were hit by drones in the Black Sea two days ago.

Through the consistent efforts of Bulgaria, the Sofia-Skopje railway line has now been included for financing in the Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034. This is a guarantee for the full completion of the strategic Corridor 8 on Bulgarian territory, stated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov at a meeting of the Transport Community Council held today in Brussels.