BGK / BMF Port Burgas container volume record in the first half of 2023

As the leading port operator in Bulgaria, BMF Port Burgas has set a new record, confirming its strong position in the industry. This achievement not only reflects the port's commitment to growth, but also demonstrates its ability to successfully adapt to changing market conditions. BMF Port Burgas is planning to further expand its infrastructure with the support of the Three Seas Fund, an initiative of BGK, Polish development bank.

In the first half of 2023, total trade turnover at BMF Port Burgas reached nearly 3 million tons, highlighting the company's high efficiency. It also demonstrates the port's ability to adapt and prosper in a dynamic market.

Above all, the port recorded a 12 per cent increase in containers volume, compared to the same period last year. These figures represent an impressive 49 per cent share of the Bulgarian market, reinforcing BMF's position as a driving force in the maritime sector by gaining another 5 per cent over its competitors in the period.

"We are proud to announce an increase in the volume of cargo handled at the port, which signifies the confidence of our customers and the great commitment of our team. These achievements motivate us to continue providing the highest quality services and innovative and flexible solutions to our partners. These successes are the result of our broad portfolio of services, the continuous implementation of modern technologies and the tireless efforts of the exceptional BMF team," Boris Balev, CEO of BMF Port Burgas, says.

BMF Port Burgas

BMF Port Burgas is a privately owned, multi-purpose port operator that manages the Burgas East II and Burgas West terminals. Located in Burgas Bay, along the Black Sea coast, BMF Port Burgas operates the closest deep-water port to the Bosphorus.

Operating under two concession agreements with Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport and Communications, BMF Port Burgas has developed a solid track record in port services and customer acquisition over the past decade. Completed strategic investments include the development of facilities for containers, copper concentrate, LPG, sulfuric acid, grain and project cargoes, while further various projects are already in the pipeline. These developments have helped BMF Port Burgas become Bulgaria's main maritime gateway, handling some 7 million tons of cargo in 2022.

REBIRTH28 Project

In February 2023, BMF Port of Burgas took significant steps to meet the growing demand for container transportation in the region - it officially began construction of the first deep-water quay for container ships in Bulgaria.

The implementation is part of the project "Raising low-emission multimodal transport in the main port of Burgas with new infrastructures for wharf 28 (REBIRTH28)," co-funded under the Connecting Europe Facility for transport program.

The newly built wharf is designed to handle the latest generation of container ships, equipped with innovative equipment, and provide top-level services. This will allow it to meet the needs of its customers. Thanks to the new wharf, the port will not only be able to receive container ships that cannot be moored elsewhere in Bulgaria, but will also take first steps toward implementing wharf power supply with electricity.

The project will create a new port area dedicated to the movement of containers, handled by green cranes and transported by rail throughout Europe. Part of the project is dedicated to restoring the functionality of the rail tracks inside the terminal, using electric shunting locomotives to prepare convoys, thereby increasing the share of rail transport in the port.

With this expansion, BMF Port Burgas intends to strengthen its position as the leading container port in the Black Sea region and offer better connectivity for importing and exporting companies. This will increase cargo transportation opportunities for international corridors passing through BMF Port Burgas, such as the Orient/East-Med corridor, the TRACECA corridor and the central TITR corridor. In addition, the carbon footprint will be significantly reduced to promote environmentally friendly service and transportation of goods.

Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund boosts economic development

BMF Port Burgas is one of the most important assets in the portfolio of the Three Seas Fund, a specialized commercial investment fund focused on strategic infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe. The fund, initiated by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego in cooperation with other banks and development institutions from the region, is a commercial project and aims to provide diversified investments and attractive returns to its investors.

"One of the main goals of the Three Seas Fund was to invest in projects that will strengthen connectivity on the European north-south axis. BMF Port Burgas fits perfectly into this objective, due to its strategic location on the Black Sea. It is of key importance not only for Bulgaria, but also for the entire Three Seas region. With further development of the port, trade opportunities for the whole of Central and Eastern Europe - and beyond - will increase significantly," informs Krzysztof Senger, director at BGK, Polish Development Bank and member of the management board of the Three Seas Fund.