site.btaDanube at Critical Low in Ruse as Officials Push for Navigation Improvements

The Danube River has reached an unprecedented low level along the Bulgarian-Romanian section, Deputy Transport Minister Anna Natova said in Ruse on Wednesday. She took part in a conference marking the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River, during which officials discussed the impact of extreme water levels on navigation.

Natova stressed that water levels in Ruse have fallen to 145 cm below the reference zero level, 72 cm lower than the previous record set in 2003. Although no vessels are stranded in the main navigation channel, dozens of ships are waiting for water levels to rise, she noted.

The Minister said that the joint Bulgarian-Romanian project FAST Danube 2 aims to improve navigation by dredging the riverbed and building hydraulic structures. It is designed to ensure uninterrupted navigation for 94% of the year. Construction can begin once a contract with the selected contractor takes effect.

Danube Commission President and Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Hristo Polendakov stated that countries along the river were cooperating on joint measures and early-warning systems to prevent accidents and ships running aground.

Officials stressed that further infrastructure improvements would require significant funding.

The anniversary conference also featured the official unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp.