Varna News

A cargo ship abandoned four days ago in the Gulf of Aden after it was hit by missiles fired by Yemen's Houthis is still floating despite taking in water, and could be towed to nearby Djibouti, industry sources said on Wednesday.Shipping risks have escalated due to repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait by the Iran-aligned Houthis since November. U.S. and British forces have responded with several strikes on Houthi facilities but have so far failed to halt the attacks.The crew of the Belize-flagged Rubymar abandoned the vessel after it was hit on Sunday…

A UK-registered cargo ship reported being under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday, said British maritime security firm Ambrey, while UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported crew abandoning a ship off Yemen after an explosion.Ambrey said on Sunday that a Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated open hatch general cargo ship had reported being under attack in Bab al-Mandab Strait.The ship was heading north during its journey from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates to Varna…

Russian exporters will start shipping supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Bulgaria via Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti in July as traditional export routes remain closed, according to traders and Refinitiv Eikon statistics.Russia stopped supplying LPG to Ukraine on Feb. 24, when Russia sent troops into the country in what Moscow calls a "special military operation", and has also stopped LPG rail transit to Romania, Hungary and Moldova via Ukraine, obliging exporters look for new routes.Finland…

Bulgarian authorities have seized 401 kilograms of heroin hidden in containers on a ship that arrived at the Black Sea port of Varna from Dubai, the prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.Customs officers found the heroin divided among nearly 500 packages stashed inside bitumen roofing rolls from Iran, which arrived on February 7, prosecutors said in a statement.

Scrubber manufacturers and suppliers Clean Marine and FMSI have unveiled their intention to merge in order to create a bigger market share in the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) segment.The combined entity, which will operate under the name Clean Marine, will provide a fully integrated offering, including Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) expertise, significant capacity, fast production times, project management and global after-sales services.Further announcements will be made when the agreement is finalized.The Merger will better position Clean Marine to fulfill the needs of its customers and meet the rising demand for EGCS following the implementation of the new limits on sulfur emissions that come into effect on January 1, 2020.

The flag of the second 45,500 dwt bulk carrier, ordered by Navibulgar was hoisted in the Chinese Shipyard Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.The godmother Mrs. Wang Xiaoying - Deputy General Director, Operational Department of Export Import Bank of China named the newly built vessel “Midjur” and wished her happy sailing.The naming ceremony in the Chinese Shipyard is part of the celebration events of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria.Officials included the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Velik Zanchev, Grigor Porojanov - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the People's Republic of China…

Chinese Shipyard Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Was hoisted the flag of the first 45,500 dwt bulk carrier, ordered by Navibulgar.The godmother Mrs. Zhang Yingchun - Deputy General Manager, Operational Department of Export Import Bank of China gave to the newly built vessel the name Plana and wished her happy sailing.The party was joined by the CEO of Navibulgar Capt. Alexander Kalchev and other Company managers. First Master of the vessel is Capt. Gancho Hristov, and first chief engineer – eng. Dimitar Ganchev.Mv Plana is the first vessel from the project Bluetech 45, development of the successful project Bluetech 42, based…

SHIPLYS (Ship life cycle software solutions) is a three-year project that started in September 2016. The project is in response to needs of SME naval architects, shipbuilders and ship-owners, who, in order to survive in the world market, need to improve their capability to reduce the time and costs of design and production. SHIPLYS provides these improvements by developing functionality that includes rapid virtual prototyping and the ability to factor in LCCA (Life Cycle Cost Analysis)…

The shipping transportation solutions provider Neptune Lines is making an important investment in scrubbers with 10 units installed until Q1 2020.Denmark-based ME Production (MEP), a player in marine technologies solutions for marine equipment and energy markets, was selected to supply the units while the first two installations were successfully completed in Odessos shipyard in Varna and commissioned shortly after.By fitting these MEP systems, the ships will be compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s SOx regulations, which is coming into force in 2020 and represent the most far reaching, fundamental change in worldwide…

UK-based crew transfer specialist High Speed Transfers (HST) announced that its second new high-speed crew transfer vessel HST Sofia will be contracted by Shell to support its exploration program in the Black Sea commencing March 2019.The FCS 2710 vessel, built by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, will be trialed by HST to undertake oil and gas crew transfers to support the Noble Globetrotter II drill ship. The vessel will shortly begin an exploration drilling program in the Khan Kubrat block…

Optimarin signed a contract to supply seven of its USCG-approved Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) to Fednav, Canada's largest ocean-going dry-bulk shipowning and chartering group. Five of the units will be fitted on existing vessels within the 63-strong Fednav fleet, with two deliveries set for newbuilds. The order comes on top of agreements for five units made last year, signaling a growing relationship between the two market leaders.With recent orders for multiple systems from Höegh Autoliners…

Bulgaria and Greece agreed to expand Multimodal Freight Corridor Between Black Sea, Aegen Sea and Dunabe. Bulgarian Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski and Greek Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Christos Spirtzis have agreed to extend the multimodal transport corridor between the two countries connecting the ports of Varna, Burgas, Kavala and Alexandroupoli. The Greek part accepted Bulgaria’s proposal to include a connection with the port of Ruse in the joint project. This will result in a multimodal corridor servicing road, rail, sea and river transport, as well as a shortcut to the countries along the Danube.

On June 2, 2017, MTG-Dolphin Shipyard delivered to Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar) JSC the tug Alcor, the first of three vessels in series built to the RAmparts 2700 design by Robert Allan Ltd. The tug adds to the fleet of four tugboats in the Navibulgar fleet and is the first tugboat built by the Bulgarian shipyard MTG Dolphin PLC-Varna for the Bulgarian ship owner, who owns more than 30 bulk carriers. The naming ceremony took place on June 2 at Port of Varna and was attended by the Deputy Governor of Varna. The vessel is named after the star Alcor from the Big Dipper constellation.

HANSA HEAVY LIFT has transported five Gottwald mobile harbor cranes, weighing a total of 1,400 metric tonnes, loading them in Denmark and Belgium and delivering them to Bulgaria and Egypt. All five cranes were lifted and stowed fully-erected on deck, which limited the line of sight for the crew aboard HHL Rio de Janeiro, requiring an extra radar scanner to be installed on the foremast. Extra risk assessments were also carried out prior to commencing the voyage, in order to fully comply with all local and flag regulations.

On the 6th of August 2016, the official opening ceremony for The Centre for Integrated Management and Monitoring of the Coastal Zone was inaugurated by Mr. Boyko Borisov, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria. At the opening ceremony were present the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Prof. DSc Boyan Mednikarov and Deputy Chief of Educational and Scientific Activities, Captain Prof. Dr Kalin Kalinov. Among the official guests were parliament members from the Bulgarian government, representatives of other Bulgarian authorities, members of the military, ambassadors and representatives of the maritime industry. Following the delivery of a NAUTIS Class A Full Mission Bridge Simulator and a RescueSim Incident Command Simulator in 2014…

Bulgaria's navy is preparing to acquire two fully equipped multifunctional ships by 2022 in a deal estimated to cost about 820 million levs ($477.80 million), Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Thursday. The Balkan country's government approved on Wednesday plans to buy new military equipment to improve its compliance with NATO standards and cut its reliance on Russian-made machinery. "The Bulgarian Naval Forces will have two fully operational patrol ships within three and a half to six years," Nenchev said during a visit to the Black Sea city of Varna. Nenchev said the cost for the two ships, which could be used for the defence of other vessels, oil platforms and convoys and have a helicopter on board, could be cut by about 30 percent if built in shipyards in Bulgaria.

On February 18, 2016, Royal IHC delivered the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Mahury to Baggerbedrijf de Boer – Dutch Dredging. The twin-screw TSHD was built at IHC’s partner shipyard, MTG Dolphin, in Varna, Bulgaria. The Mahury was launched on August 14 and named on October 29, 2015 in Varna. It is the fourth TSHD of Baggerbedrijf de Boer – Dutch Dredging built by IHC, following the Albatros, Amazone and Lesse. Length                                     approx. within 15 miles from shore      approx. within 8 miles from shore        approx. level                                          approx. Total installed power               approx. Trial speed                             approx.

Shipbuilder Royal IHC has named the Mahury, a 1,840m3 capacity twin-screw trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) on October 29, 2015 at its partner MTG Dolphin’s shipyard in Varna, Bulgaria. The new TSHD is Baggerbedrijf de Boer – Dutch Dredging’s fourth IHC-built vessel. The ceremony was performed by Mrs. Gressier, who was invited to perform the naming of the ship due to the close (working) relationship between Dutch Dredging and the Gressier family. Dutch Dredging named the vessel after its tradition of reusing the names of sold or scrapped ships. The Mahury is a river in French Guiana, South America, where Dutch Dredging has a long-term contract for maintaining the depth of the approach to the seaport of Dégrad des Cannes.

The Consortium BulRIS II led by Transas has completed the second phase of the BULRIS project, funded by the Operational Program "Transport" 2007 – 2013. The system was delivered to the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company (BPI Co.) The inauguration ceremony took place at the River Information Center in Ruse in presence of the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski. Within the project Transas…

On 14 August, Royal IHC successfully launched the MAHURY, a 1,840m3 capacity twin-screw trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD), at partner shipyard MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna, Bulgaria. The vessel is being built for Baggerbedrijf de Boer - Dutch Dredging, whose Managing Director C.J. van de Graaf Jr, attended the launch. AMAZONE. The MAHURY is an upgraded version of the ALBATROS, which was delivered in 2013, and was well received by the customer. The MAHURY includes two dredging marks in its design that allows the vessel to operate at different distances from the shore, while still adhering to regulations. The first dredging mark is for operating within 15 miles from shore, and the second within 8 miles from shore.

New simulator wing features DNV certified VSTEP Dynamic Positioning and Full Mission Bridge Simulators and type approved ECDIS classroom. The simulation center of the Technical University of Varna officially opened its new simulation wing on May 21, 2015, following the opening of its simulation center in 2012. All the simulators in the TU Varna training center are delivered and installed by VSTEP. The new wing features a NAUTIS Class B DP Simulator as well as a NAUTIS class A Full Mission Bridge Simulator and a new ECDIS Simulator classroom.

On a chilly April 4, day, Sailors from USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) boarded a bus to Princess Nadejda Orphanage in Varna, Bulgaria, paint brushes in hand, for an afternoon with local children excited to spend time with their new American friends. The children could barely contain their curious excitement as Sailors filed inside the facility with paining supplies in hand. Sure they were happy their home was about to receive a fresh coat of paint, but what they were really buzzing about was the exclusive tour of the American warship that awaited them later that day. Princess Nadejda Orphanage is home to 31 children and was opened more than 100 years ago for orphans of the First World War.

Five ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) reached on Saturday morning the Naval Station Varna at the Black Sea coast to take part in joint training with Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish vessels. As a result of the gale-force winds, most of the ships failed to drop anchor, with the exception of ITS ALISEO (Italy). Bulgaria will deploy its frigate Drazki for the exercise, which is due on March 9, Defense Ministry officials say. Led by Rear Admiral Brad Williamson (USA N), SNMG2 is currently comprised of the flagship USS Vicksburg (CG 69), HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337), TCG Turgutreis (F 241), FGS Spessart (A 1442), ITS Aliseo (F 574), and ROS Regina Maria (F 222).