site.btaTransport Minister to UAE Developer: Bulgarian Ports Are Good Option for Asia-Europe Cargo Traffic

Caretaker Minister of Transport Hristo Aleksiev met with representatives of the exclusive developer and regulator of ports and related infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports Group), here on Monday, as the company is exploring opportunities to participate in the ports of Varna, on the Black Sea, and Ruse, on the Danube, as well as other transport projects. Aleksiev told AD Ports Group that Bulgarian ports are an excellent option for the growing overland cargo traffic from Asia to Europe.

Aleksiev said that the Middle Corridor project from Asia through Bulgarian Black Sea ports is an excellent alternative to both the Bosphorus and the Northern Route through Russia, as the ports of Varna and Burgas have sufficient capacity. The Minister added that the Middle Corridor route's potential will grow after the implementation of the Sea2Sea project, which will provide rail connectivity between the ports in Northern Greece and the Bulgarian ports of Burgas, Varna and Ruse.

The AD Ports Group representatives emphasized the importance of the logistics industry using the possibilities of intermodal freight transport.

The meeting concluded that there is no single correct way or route, as alternatives are always needed.

Caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth Alexander Pulev, who also took part in the talks, presented financing opportunities for logistics infrastructure. "We are developing dialogue with the Middle East as a priority. We have had successful visits to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel under the auspices of President Rumen Radev. I am glad that we continue the active dialogue with you on our priority axis - major infrastructure projects in digitalization and transport connectivity", Pulev said. He stressed that Bulgaria has a significant potential in the IT sector.

AD Ports Group is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of Aleksiev. The talks are a continuation of the topics discussed during President Rumen Radev's visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2022.