Burgas

Size limits

LOA 253.59m, beam 45m, draught 14.6m, 117,153DWT.

Water density

The dock density is approx 1012-1014.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Nil. There are no strong currents and tides which can affect navigation.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The outer harbour is entered via a Traffic Separation Scheme which leads W from the traffic roundabout, centred on 42°29'N 027°42'E.

The E approach to Burgas is as follows:

Initial position, traffic roundabout centred at 42°29'N 028°05'E.

The E approach route to Burgas leads W for approx 16nm via a Traffic Separation Scheme, through waters clear of charted dangers to the traffic roundabout, centred on 42°29'N 027°42'E, at the entrance of the inner part of Burgaski Zaliv.

The NE approach to Burgas is as follows:

Initial position, traffic roundabout, centred 3nm SE of Nos Emine, 42°42'N 027°54'E.

The NE approach route to Burgas leads SW for 15nm via a Traffic Separation Scheme to the traffic roundabout, centred, 42°29'N 027°42'E at the entrance to the inner part of Burgaski Zaliv, passing, (with positions from Nos Emine Light):

SE of Nos Emine, (42°42'N 027°54'E), bold headland with cliffs from 36-45m in height; close SE of Banka Koketrays, 3nm SSW. A shoal with a depth of 15.2m; SE of Nesebur Light, (metal framework tower, 6m in height), 8nm WSW; SE of Pomorie Light, (black round stone tower, yellow band, 8m in height), 13.5nm SW; N of the lightbuoy, (special), 42°29'N 027°42'E, which marks the centre of the traffic roundabout.

The coastal route across the entrance to Burgaski is as follows:

Initial position, traffic roundabout centred at 42°29'N 028°05'E. The coastal route across the channel to Burgaski Zaliv leads NW for 11nm, via a Traffic Separation Scheme, to the traffic roundabout, centred, 42°40'N 027°57'E, 3nm SE of Nos Emine.

Directions for the inner part of Burgaski Zaliv are as follows:

Initial position, traffic roundabout centred at position, 42°29'N 027°42'E.

The route through the outer harbour leads W for approx 6nm via a Traffic Separation Scheme, to the anchorage areas, passing, (with positions from Sveta Anastasyia Light, (42°28'N 027°33'E):

N of Nos Talasakra, 4.3nm ESE. A steep-to point; S of Stavro Banka, 5nm NE. A shoal with a least depth of 4.5m, which is marked by a lightbuoy, (E Cardinal); N of Nos Akin, 2.9nm ESE. A shoal on which there are several above water rocks, 0.2nm NE; N of Nos Atiya, 1.5nm ESE, may be identified by an isolated, rounded hill, 0.5nm S, on which stands a Hellenic fortress and a beacon 8m in height; S of Banka Spitfire rock, 2.9nm NNE; N of Sveta Anastasyia. An islet approx 24m in height, a light stands on the islet.

Final approach to Burgas Oil Terminal:

From the anchorage areas the final approach to Burgas Oil Terminal leads S for about 1nm through a channel dredged to 15.0m and marked by lightbuoys (port and starboard hand) passing W of a breakwater, the head of which is marked by a light (white concrete platform, 5m high).

Final approach to the harbour:

From the anchorage area the final approach to the commercial harbours leads:

S of a lightbuoy (S cardinal) (42°29'N 027°31'E) then between Nos 1 and 2 Lightbuoys (port and starboard hand) which mark the start of the two dredged channels.

Then the buoyed channels lead N to the main harbour and NW to the fish and timber basin.

The entrance to the main harbour lies between the heads of the S and E moles, which are marked by lights (white round concrete tower with red bands, 14m high on the E breakwater and white round metal tower, 6m high on the S breakwater.)

The Traffic Separation Scheme is not IMO adopted, however the Bulgarian authorities advise that the principles for the use of the routeing system, defined in Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, apply.

Port limits

The port area of Burgas consists of all waters W of a line joining Nos Lakhna, (42°33'N 027°34'E) and Nos Talasakra, (Kavos Nikolo), (42°27'N 027°39'E), 7nm SE.

The port area is divided into an outer and inner harbours. The boundary between the 2 harbours is the line joining Nos Poros and Nos Burgas.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic separation schemes shown on charts are not IMO adopted but obligatory by Bulgarian law.

Anchorages

A safe anchorage with good holding ground can be obtained just outside the breakwater.

Before anchoring outside the roadsteads of the port or drifting in the territorial waters of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Master is obliged to contact the control station or border guard to receive instructions, via VHF Ch 16 and 11.

Vessels may not anchor outside defined areas.

Restrictions

Manoeuvring of vessels is prohibited when winds are of more than 29kts and visibility less than 300m.

Tugs

There are 2 tug companies. Tugs ranging from 600hp to 2,400hp, available throughout 24 hours. Towage is compulsory for vessels over 1,000GT. Fire fighting tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 2399, 8115. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA messages should be sent to the port and the pilot station, via the vessel's agent 7 days, 3 days and 24 hours prior to arrival. Any variation in the ETA should be advised as soon as possible. The ETA message should include the exact ETA of the vessel and number of passengers and crew. If there are IMO cargoes onboard, the Harbour Master should be notified via the agent 24 hours prior to arrival.

Additional ETA messages should be sent when there is a difference of more than 2 hours between the notice and the actual time of arrival, this should include the reasons for the delay.

The following information should be included in the ETA message:

Name of vessel, flag, max LOA, beam, draught, description and quantity of cargo, cargo plan, hatch by hatch and any special berthing requirements regarding cranes and side ramps.

Communications

Varna Radio and Burgas Radio, which operate throughout 24 hours, should be used for passing ETA messages. Inmarsat communications are possible and may be used for direct contact with the vessel's agent.

VHF: Burgas Traffic Control: Ch 16 and 11.

Burgas Pilot: Ch 14.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered on arrival.

Health

Radio pratique can be applied for through the vessel's agent or after arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Crew proceeding ashore are allowed 1 carton of cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits. If this amount is exceeded a fine may be imposed.

The Immigration office requires a seaman's passport prior to issuing a shore pass allowing crew and passengers to leave the vessel between 0900hrs and 0400hrs the following day.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Executive Agency "Maritime Administration".

Contact: PFSO Coordinator.

Address: 5 Gurko Str, BG-1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Tel: +359 2 940 9801.

Fax: +359 2 987 9480.

E-mail: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Repairs are possible at Burgas Shipyard located 42° 27.606'N 27° 26.963'E.

Dry docks

There is 1 floating dock and 1 slipway available for vessels up to 3,000DWT and 15,000DWT respectively.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tankers and barges if notice is tendered well in advance.

Stores: Available with 24 hours notice.

Medical

There is a hospital situated close to the port.

Crew change

Crew change is permitted.

Transport

Airport: Approx 8km. Railway: Bourgas.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, work is carried out on a 3 shift basis as follows, 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2300-0600hrs.

Where it is

The Port of Burgas is one of two most important international ports in Bulgaria located on the Black Sea coast. The port is located at the far end, in the western part of Burgas Bay, the largest bay along the Bulgarian coast line.

The port

The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, container, Ro-Ro, passengers, LPG and liquid cargo.

Traffic

Approx 20,000,000t of cargo, 145,000TEU, 900 vessels and 10,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Burgas?

Pilotage is compulsory from the anchorages (pilot boarding position) for all vessels over 100GT and is available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Burgas in?

Local time at Burgas is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Burgas?

The deepest berth listed is at Burgas East 2: 14.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Burgas?

The dock density is approx 1012-1014.

Which load line zone is Burgas in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Burgas?

Port State Control at Burgas: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Burgas?

The UN/LOCODE of Burgas is BGBOJ.

What crews who called at Burgas say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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