Bulgaria has a total of sixteen ports, which play an important role in the country’s foreign and domestic trade. Seven ports are located on the Black Sea, while nine ports lie along the Danube River. These ports connect Bulgaria with neighboring countries and major trade routes in Europe.
Among the Black Sea ports, Varna and Bourgas are the most important. On the Danube, the leading ports are Roustchouk and Sistova. The importance of these ports can be clearly seen by examining the number of ships that visit them and the total tonnage they handle Guided Istanbul Tour.
Importance of Bourgas Port
The port of Bourgas holds the leading position among Bulgarian Black Sea ports. It receives 37.53 percent of all ships entering the Black Sea ports of Bulgaria. In terms of tonnage, it handles 40.47 percent of the total.
When Bourgas is compared with the entire national shipping activity, including both the Black Sea and the Danube, it accounts for 9.93 percent of the total number of vessels and 16.11 percent of the total tonnage. These figures show that Bourgas is a key center for maritime trade and plays a major role in handling large cargo vessels.
Role of Varna Port
The port of Varna ranks second among the Black Sea ports. It receives 24.82 percent of the total number of vessels arriving at Black Sea ports. However, in terms of tonnage, Varna takes a much larger share, handling 48.67 percent of the total.
This means that Varna often receives larger ships compared to other ports. When looking at the total shipping of Bulgaria, Varna represents 6.56 percent of the number of ships and 19.37 percent of the total tonnage. This confirms Varna’s importance as a major port for heavy and long-distance maritime transport.
Roustchouk on the Danube
The port of Roustchouk is one of the leading ports on the Danube River. It receives 13.76 percent of all Danube vessels and 12.72 percent of the tonnage on the river.
When compared with the country’s total shipping activity, Roustchouk accounts for 10.12 percent of the number of ships and 7.66 percent of the tonnage. This shows its strong role in river trade and regional transport.
Position of Sistova Port
The port of Sistova follows Roustchouk in importance on the Danube. It receives 13.36 percent of the vessels and 12.64 percent of the tonnage on the Danube. In relation to Bulgaria’s total shipping, Sistova represents 9.74 percent of ship numbers and 7.61 percent of tonnage.
In conclusion, Bourgas and Varna dominate Black Sea shipping, while Roustchouk and Sistova are key ports on the Danube. Together, these ports form the backbone of Bulgaria’s maritime and river trade, supporting both national and international commerce.