Review of sector transport, infrastructure and communications in bulgaria
Transport, infrastructure and communications
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Transport, infrastructure and communicationsThis chapter is mainly based on the "National Strategy Transport Sector" from the Ministry of Transport and Communications dated June 2000. The full version of this document can be found on the CD-ROM, which accompanies this report. Some information has been updated. Other information comes from "2000 Country Investment Profile Bulgaria" from the EBRD. The section on communications is based on this document. Transport and infrastructureThe transport policy of Bulgaria is governed by the principles for the development of the country, adopted by the Government and achieved as a result of a national consensus. These policy directions are primarily geared towards membership of the European Union and NATO, development of free market relations, democratisation of the processes in the political, economical, cultural and social life of the people. There are three main priorities in the transport sector: Harmonisation of national legislation and transport regulations with those of the European Union Member States; Development of transport infrastructure; Implementation of structural reform and privatisation in the transport sector. A Harmonisation of the national legislation and transport regulations with those of the European Union Member States The following laws have been passed or will be passed in the near future: Civil aviation law – approved and in force since 1.01.1999; Law on maritime spaces, inland waterways and ports of the Republic of Bulgaria - approved and in force since 14.02.2000; Road traffic law – approved and in force since 01.09.1999; Road transport law – approved and in force since 17.09.1999; Railway transport law – draft submitted for approval to the National Assembly; Law for amendment of the Merchant Shipping Code - draft submitted for approval to the National Assembly. In the air transport sector the following Regulations are due to be passed: Regulation for certification of aviation personnel, Regulation for certification and licensing of aviation operators, Regulation for flight permissions, etc. The negotiations between Bulgaria and the European Commission for signing a multilateral agreement for establishing European Common Aviation Area and for a Protocol on the transitory measures to it have been finalised and signing is due in the third quarter of 2000. The procedure for joining the revised Convention for EUROCONTROL is in progress. In the road transport sector a considerable number of Regulations complying with the International rules and standards in this field will be passed. A draft Law for ratification of the "International agreement on adoption of equal technical specifications for road vehicles, equipment and components, permitted for installation and/or usage of road vehicles", and "Conditions for mutual acknowledgement of formal approvals, issued on the grounds of these specifications" (Geneva 1958) is under preparation. Drafting of the following Regulations is in progress: Regulation on the type approval of motor vehicles, Regulation on dangerous goods transportation, Regulation on extra-dimension and heavy road vehicles, etc. The European agreement on occasional international transport of passengers by bus (INTERBUS) has already been signed. In addition the Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Union on the conditions for road transport of goods and for stimulation of combined transport has also been signed. In the maritime transport sector a number of important European and International Agreements have been ratified, for example the European Agreement on Inland waterways and the International Convention on Sea Search and Rescue. The introduction of a system for traffic control and management in navigation – VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Management Information System) has already started. A number of important Regulations are expected to come into force by the end of the year 2000. These include the Regulation on transportation of dangerous goods, the Regulation on the rules and conditions for issuing vessel documents, the Regulation on the regime of navigation in inland sea waterways and in territorial sea waters etc. A Memorandum on Port State Control between the Black Sea countries, similar to that in use in the Mediterranean, will soon be ready for signature. B Development of transport infrastructure Road network The total length of the national road network is 37,288 Km. and the average density is 0.33 Km per square Kilometre (somewhat below the EU average). Approximately 90% of the roads are with asphalt surface. Bulgaria has 324 Km of motorways, 3,011 Km of first grade roads, 3,818 Km second grade roads, and 29,937 Km third and fourth grade roads. The most common are two lane roads with overall width between 6.00 and 7.50 m. Road building in Bulgaria is generally difficult and costly as some 40% of the country’s territory is mountainous. The social and economic difficulties suffered by Bulgaria coupled with a lack of finance for road infrastructure has brought about a deterioration of the roads in general. More than 28% of main roads are in very poor condition and these, together with the lower grade roads, pose serious problems. The Implementing Agency "Roads", the national department responsible for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the national road network, in co-operation with the Bulgarian Government, are working vigorously to correct this situation. The programme "Transit Roads" was started in 1992 with the financial help of the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the PHARE programme. More than 600 km of first grade roads with intensive traffic were rehabilitated under the programme "Transit Roads I". The reconstruction of approximately 800 km of the main road network was catered for under the programme "Transit Roads II", carried out between 1997 and 1999. This programme was directed to the most heavily loaded sections in worst operational condition on the route of the international roads and the Pan-European corridors. The former General Road Directorate has already started the realisation of the programme "Transit Roads III", which will cover the period 1999 – 2002 and cater for more than 600 km of the main road network. In addition to the rehabilitation of road surfacing, marking and signage, this Programme envisages an increase in the load capacity of the road construction up to 11.5 tons per axle for the sections with the greatest traffic density. After the completion of the third part of the programme about 85% of the main sections of the road network will comply with the European norms for quality, safety and loading. At present the national road network is developing and modernising in line with current policy of the Bulgarian Government for the development of trade and economic relations with the neighbouring countries – Greece, former Yugoslavia, Romania and Turkey. The process of improving the road transport connections with neighbouring countries includes the following main activities: opening new border crossings; construction of new access roads or optimisation of the existing roads to the standards corresponding to current and expected traffic; increasing category and capacity of existing border crossings. The breakdown of the roads on the routes of the Pan-European corridors is as follows: Pan-European corridor IV: Section Vidin – Sofia - Kulata (Greek border) Total length 446 Km, Including: two lane roads 352 km four lane roads 22 km motorway 72 km Section Vidin – Sofia – Kapitan Andreevo (Turkish border) Total length 558 Km, including: two lane roads 299 km four lane roads 17 km motorway 220 km motorway with one completed lane 22 km Forthcoming rehabilitation measures and construction of new sections: Rehabilitation 110 km Construction of motorway sections 70 km
two lane roads 461 km four lane roads 35 km motorway 143 km Forthcoming rehabilitation measures and construction of new sections: Rehabilitation 76 km Construction of motorway sections 285 km
two lane roads 399 km four lane roads 56 km motorway 143 km Forthcoming construction works: Rehabilitation 82 km New construction 20 km Construction of a tunnel under Shipka 2 km Rail network The railway network of Bulgaria consists of about 4,300 km railway lines, 4,055 km of which is standard gauge (1,435 mm), the rest being narrow-gauge (960 mm). About 960 km (22% of the whole network) is double track and 2,640 km, about 61.4% is electrified. The system includes around 400 full stations and 300 station halts. Freight depots, container terminals and passenger stations would not be capable of dealing with significant increase in traffic. The major part of the railroad network is designed for speeds of 80 – 100 km per hour, with only 150 km of the lines designed for speeds up to 130 km per hour. The maximum speed allowed over the station switches is 100 km per hour, which in turn limits traffic speed through the stations. Weight of trains does not present any limiting condition. The overall weight of a train at a speed of 80 km per hour is designated for each line between 560 and 1,900 tons. In practice, the speeds are reduced by 10 – 20% because of poor traction rolling stock. The signalling system in general conforms to European standards. The signalling equipment used for the various lines is appropriate for the type of traffic, line capacity and speed applying. Trains are fitted with radio and Automatic Train Protection is provided on the primary routes. Inland waterway transport The River Danube is both a Bulgarian and an international waterway, regulated by a number of agreements and conventions, preceding the many changes that have taken place in Central and Eastern Europe. These regulations and conventions have had to be revised and amended to deal with the changing circumstances, most notably that relating to the Rhine – Main – Danube canal. River transport is still not very significant, with total inland water transport accounting for around 5 per cent of Bulgarian vessel tonnage. Goods loaded and unloaded in 1997 totalled 3.2 million tonnes at river ports, compared to 20.7 million at sea ports. There are plans for significant modernisation of ports over the next few years. The two major ports on this water route are Ruse and Lom. The harbour of Ruse comprises an intermodal terminal, serving the traffic to Germany and Ukraine, while in the harbour of Lom there is a terminal of SOMAT (International Road Transport) for catamarans travelling to Western Europe. The Port of Vidin is the first large port along the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. The port area and territory is between km 785+000 and km 795+000. The harbour has three specialised quays for loading and unloading and 8 cranes, as well as direct railway and road connections to the national transport network. The existence of a Duty Free Zone beside the North harbour complex, gives an opportunity for development of a harbour with the following types of combined transport: Ro–Ro Vidin–Passau, Ro–La, train ferryboat Vidin–Calafat and automobile ferryboat Vidin– Calafat, together with ferry transport between Vidin and Western Europe. The Port complex of Lom has 13 berths, 26 electric gantry cranes with capacity of 5 to 20 tons, as well as other high performance back-up equipment. The port has vast open and covered warehouses and handles domestic and international freight forwarding, together with bulk, general and container cargoes. The Port complex of Ruse The Port of Ruse–East: The total length is 1,440 m with 10 separate berths and 16 gantry cranes. The open warehouse area is 27,270 sq. m and the covered warehouse area is 4,042 sq. m. The Port has a Ro-Ro ramp, a ferryboat pontoon with a mobile bridge, high capacity gantry and auxiliary equipment. It handles bulk cargo, containers, automobiles, coal, etc. There is a connection with Ruse-North railway station. The Port of Ruse–West: The quay front totals to 1,200 m, separated into 11 berths, served by 12 cranes. This port handles mainly general cargo, chemicals, metals and timber. It has 9,800 sq. m covered warehouse area and 26,140 sq. m open warehouse. There is a connection with Ruse– west railway station. The Port complex of Ruse includes also the ports of Svishtov, Somovit and, Tutrakan. Sea transport The two major seaports of Bulgaria – Varna and Burgas handle more than 60% of the national foreign trade freight turnover. These ports have container terminals, Ro-Ro equipment and many berths for different types of bulk and liquid freight. They are spread over a substantial area and are connected with the railway and road networks. The Port of Varna Ten years ago Varna was a major seaport, servicing trade with the former Soviet republics, and its turnover was around 10 million tonnes a year. At present, the amount of cargo is half as much. The drop in traffic and the obsolete equipment are major problems for the port’s development. There are hopes that the involvement of big foreign investors will help its revitalisation. Recent examples are the joint ventures of the company Port Varna with the Belgian company Union Miniere and the Italian Italcementi, both signed at the end of 1999. The foreign companies have purchased manufacturing facilities in Bulgaria and consider Varna as a suitable outlet for export of their production. Under the terms of the joint ventures Union Miniere, together with the German company Oiltanking GmbH Hamburg, and Devnya-based soda ash maker Solvay Sodi will build up terminals. In return, Port Varna will give the two companies a quay on concession. The terminal will cost DM 80 million. Italcementi’s project involves construction of a 7.5-kilometre belt conveyor for transporting and loading cement, which will connect their plant with the port. This investment is expected to total US$ 13 million. The Port of Varna – East: Total length of the wharf is 2,072 m. The maximum depth is 36 feet. This port, with 13 berths, specialises in handling general freight, machines, technical equipment, grain, and containers. The covered warehouse area is 24,000 sq. m, the sites for open warehouses total 115,000 sq. m. The Port of Varna – West: Total length of the wharf is 3,432 m.. The maximum depth is 33 feet. Specialising in handling bulk freight, general cargo, cars, timber, containers, liquid fertilisers, clinker, etc. The total number of berths is 19 and 17 of these are for loading purposes. The Port of Burgas Burgas is the other major Bulgarian port on the Black Sea. It has benefited in recent years from increased trade flows to Western Europe. The location of the biggest Bulgarian petrol refinery near the port has made Burgas the main oil delivery and transit point as well. Lukoil is expanding its activities in the Port of Bourgas very fast. Major investment projects are currently being implemented to build four new terminals at the port, at a total cost of US$ 380 million. US$ 120 million of the funding is being provided by Japanese finance. East Port: The length of the wharf is 1,965m and the maximum depth is between 24 and 33 feet. Total number of berths – 14, 10 of them are in operation. Covered warehouse areas – 44,500 sq. m., open warehouse areas – 50,000sq. m. Vessels up to 25,000 tons can be handled and there is direct connection with the road and railway networks. Bulk freight Port: Total length of the wharf – 750 m. with 5 berths. The maximum depth at berths is 36 feet. Covered warehouse areas – 5 000 sq. m, open warehouse areas – 49 000 sq. m. It handles ships up to 60,000 tons and there is direct connection to the road and railway networks. West Port: The length of the wharf is 890 m and there are 6 berths. The maximum depth at the berths is 36 feet. Covered warehouse areas – 11 000 sq. m, open warehouse areas – 191 000 sq. m. It can handle vessels up to 40,000 tons with direct connection to the road and railway networks. Oil terminal: The length of the wharf is 300 m with 3 berths. The maximum depth at berths is 24 – 25 feet. Capable of handling vessels up to 100,000 tons with direct connection to the road network. Lozovo: Covered warehouse-areas – 14,000 sq. m., open warehouse areas – 21,600 sq. m. No connection to the road and railway networks. The ports of Varna and Burgas could attract substantial oil transit from the central Asian republics, which see Bulgaria as a convenient shipping route to west European oil markets. Recent meetings of Bulgarian officials with counterparts from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have given shape to such projects. Air transport Bulgaria has 10 civil airports, four of which have international status. The other six serve agricultural aviation. Air transport activity at the moment is concentrated in Sofia, Burgas and Varna, which serve mostly international destinations. Sofia Airport The main Bulgarian airport is in the capital, Sofia. Some experts see “hub” potential in Sofia due to its central location in the Balkans. There is a plan to develop and expand Sofia International Airport with the capacity and modern facilities to deal with the demand expected early next century. The project is expected to cost up to US$ 200 million and will involve the European Investment Bank and the government of Bulgaria. A renewed airport of Sofia was opened on September 4, 2000 after 9 months of construction works. The International Departure terminal covers at present a total of 1260 sq. m with 19 check-in desks thus allowing 720 passengers per hour. The enlargement of the transit and before boarding space allows the servicing of 1,400 passengers per hour, meeting the IATA criteria. The zones for security checks, customs and passport control have been doubled in space. Two new luggage-handling systems have been delivered by the German company Mannesmann. The airport has one runway with artificial coating (asphalt/concrete) which is 2,800 m long and 45 m wide. The Southern section of the airport comprises a main terminal, government VIP terminal and technical stands with a total area of 288 144 sq. m. The Northern section comprises a main terminal and front shed sites with a total area of 43,860 sq. m. Runway and apron conditions at the airport are sub-standard. The present runway length (2800 metres), surfacing and apron capacity are all limitations to future growth. The shape, area and surfacing of the present aprons also prevent effective grouping of operating, long-term parking and technical/maintenance stands. Burgas Airport The airport, with modern navigation equipment, has a runway 3,200 m. long. Varna Airport The airport has a 55-m wide runway, which is 2,500 m long and modern navigation equipment. C Implementation of structural reform and privatisation in transport The policy of the Ministry of Transport and Communications in the field of privatisation is to keep the current share of state capital for a few companies only, depending on their specific functions and obligations to the state, and according to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and the relevant international agreements. Road transport All companies dealing with vehicle repairs and taxi transportation have already been restructured and privatised, as have 89% of the companies for freight and mixed transport. The Directorate General "Road Administration" has been established under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. This directorate will be responsible for road policy matters including licensing, relations with other countries, etc. With the entering into force of the new Road transport law – on 17.09.1999 - the former GRD (General Road Directorate) under the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works was transformed into the Implementing Agency "Roads" under the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works. It will have responsibility for the implementation of road infrastructure, including ISPA-financed projects. Its statute and responsibilities are covered by the same law. Railway transport In accordance with the Law for the Bulgarian State Railways and Council Directive 91/440/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the development of the Community’s railways, it is envisaged that only railway infrastructure (railway lines, electric network, stations, etc.) will remain under State ownership. The railway industry and other sections of the National Company "Bulgarian State Railways", together with the commercial activities of railway transport, are subject to privatisation. The transportation of passengers and freight is expected to be given under concession after the new Law on railway transport has come into force. A draft law, which has already been approved by the Council of Ministers, will set up the Implementing Agency "Railway Administration". The draft of the new Railway transport law has been submitted for approval to the National Assembly. The law is a part of the reform undertaken for clear definition and separation of the roles of the State and the railway enterprises and has incorporated the key requirements of EU legislation in the field of railway transport. The entering into force of the law on the 1 January 2002 will allow the complete separation of infrastructure and transport operations, as well as the creation of all prerequisites for allowing open access to the railway network. To date 8 out of 13 railway enterprises have been privatised (concerned with rolling stock repairs and construction, etc). Air transport The Implementing Agency "Civil Aviation Administration" has been established under the Minister of Transport and Communications. To date 87% of the aviation companies have been restructured. The national carrier, Balkan Airlines, was sold to Israel’s Zeevi Group in July 1999. Zeevi paid US$ 150,000 for 75 per cent of the company’s shares and pledged to invest US$ 100 million in the company in the next five years. US$ 20 million is to be invested in the first year, mainly for the renewal of Balkan’s ancient fleet. After the purchase Zeevi Group selected management consultant Speedwing, a British Airways subsidiary, to advise on the restructuring and management of the newly acquired company. Balkan Airlines handled most of Bulgaria’s international flights. Some have been suspended in recent years due to a lack of suitable aircraft. Zeevi Group intended to restore many regular flights, after hiring new planes. Domestic aviation is relatively unimportant. The Zeevi Group apparently purchased Balkan Airlines to operate in Arab countries. This was, however, only possible for a very short period of time. Now, Balkan Airlines is bankrupt and its future is most uncertain. The EU has assessed that the legislative harmonisation process in the field of aviation has progressed satisfactorily. The new Civil Aviation Act entered into force in January 1999. A number of smaller aviation companies are due to be privatised and the process of privatising agricultural aviation has been fully accomplished. A procedure for a privatisation of the company Hemus Air is already opened. Some assets of the civil airports as well as some activities related to land servicing will be given under concession. Maritime transport A step by step privatisation after restructuring is envisaged for non-core activities of the shipping companies and ports. The separation of the qualification centre from the "Navigation Maritime Bulgaria", plus separation and subsequent privatisation of the tug fleet and the Bulgarian Register of Shipping are being progressed. It is proposed that the ports will be re-structured and given under concession, either totally or in part, which is provided for in the draft Law on marine areas, inland waterways and ports. The Implementation Agency "Maritime Administration" has been established under the Ministry of Transport and Communications as well as General Directorate "Port Administration". At present only 12% of the long-term assets scheduled for privatisation before end of 2000 are still left within the Ministry of Transport and Communications. 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