Varna

Size limits

LOA 225m, draught 9.9m, 70,000DWT

Water density

1011-1013.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Negligible.

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

Approach

Varna East: From the vicinity of the Traffic Separation Scheme, centred 43°11'N 028°00'E or anchorage area No 1, close NW, the final approach to the port of Varna leads generally W of the buoyed fairway channel. This fairway passes S of the breakwater marked at its S extremity by Varna Lighthouse, (white round tower, 9m in height) and leads to the entrance of Varna East Harbour, which is marked by lights (white round metal towers) and to the entrance of Channel No 1, which is marked by a lightbuoy and a light beacon.

Oil terminal: Is to the left of the entrance to East Harbour, located on the Island to the S.

Varna West: There are 2 access channels between Varna Lake and Beloslav Lake, linking the port of Varna East to the ports of Varna West and Ferryboat Complex. The total length of the inland waterways is 12.34nm.

Channel No 1, length 2nm, max draught 11.5m, max airdraught 41.72m; Channel No 2, length 5nm, max draught 10.5m.

Only vessels with a draught less than 9.9m and an airdraught up to 41.72m are allowed to the port of Varna West. Vessels with an LOA of 200m or over, beam of 26m or over 20,000GT or more, may only transit during daylight. The existing depths of canals, berths and approaches allow for handling of vessels up to 70,000DWT.

The ports of Lesport and the Thermal Power Station are situated on the N side of Varna Lake.

Port limits

The port area of Varna consists of the waters of Varnenski Zaliv, Varnensko Ezero and Beloslavsko Ezero.

Anchorages

Anchorage areas are determined by the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration", Varna Directorate, Tel: +359 52 611795, Fax: +359 52 602378.

There are 3 anchorages off the port:

Summer (May 1-Oct 1): Available for all vessels in summer and for tankers throughout the year, located S of Galata Cape, not less than 0.6nm offshore.

Winter (Oct 1-Apr 30): Located 2nm E of Varna Lighthouse and N of the separation zone, not less than 1nm offshore.

Anchorage for quarantine and dangerous goods: Lies 5.5nm S of Nos Galata.

Restrictions

Navigation within the port area and channels is forbidden when wind speed exceeds 23kts and visibility is less than 500m.

Navigation in Channels No 1 and 2 are one way. The max speed permitted in these channels is 6kts.

Asparukhov Bridge: Spans Channel No 1, max speed 6kts, max airdraught 41.7m.

Channel approach to ship repair, shipbuilding yard: Vessels over 12,000GT can only use the channel in daytime. Max draught 5.3m; trim 0.5m or less; wind speed 10kts or less.

Tugs

Compulsory for all vessels over 1,000GT, vessels carrying dangerous goods and empty tankers without Gas Free Certificate. There are 10 tugs available ranging between 600hp and 1,600hp, 7 with fire fighting capacity. Vessels shall use their own tug lines.

Mooring

All port berths are provided with reliable mooring equipment and fenders.

Port Odessos PBM (Allianz Bulgaria) has daytime berthing only.

Charts and publications

BA 2285, 2286. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA messages should be sent to the vessel's agent at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Any variation in the ETA should be advised as soon as possible.

All vessels (excluding warships) should give a written final notice via the ship's agent to the Executive Agency "Maritime Administration", Varna Directorate and to the port operator.

Standard messages

No special requirements apart from the usual General Declaration submitted to the Traffic Control.

Notice of readiness

ETA notice should be tendered 7 days and 5 days. Final 3 days notice, but not later than 24 hours prior to arrival in the port.

After arrival in the port, whether the vessel is on berth or anchorage, the Master shall give notice of readiness for handing to the port operator via ship agent.

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

Disembarking is allowed in compliance with the regime co-ordinated between all authorities of the border control.

Flags

When approaching the roads, all vessels shall from 0800hrs until sunset fly their national flags. Foreign vessels shall also fly on their foremast the flag of Republic of Bulgaria.

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

All kinds of ship repairs are available. A total of 7 shipbuilding and repair berths available, max LOA 270m, depth 5.3m, LOA 210m, depth 6.0m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by means of shore hydrants or barge, 24 hours notice is required.

Bunkering: No restrictions. Available via the ship agent with 24 hours notice.

Stores: Available.

Medical

The Transport Hospital is in the vicinity of Varna East.

Crew change

International agreements on visas shall apply to the states which have not signed Convention 108.

Transport

Nearest airport: Varna, 10km.

Nearest railway: Varna East and Varna West. No rail link to Balchik.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Varna is situated on the S side of the city and along the N shore of the waterway connecting the Black Sea with Verna Lake and Beloslav Lake to the W.

The port

The state owned port operator, Port of Varna EAD, comprises the port facilities of Varna East (within the town of Varna), Varna West (within the town of Devnya), Port Terminal Lesport and Balchik (within the town of Balchik, see separate entry).

Port of Varna East: Located on the S side of Varna, specialises in the handling of containers, general cargo, grain and passengers.

Port of Varna West: Situated 12nm to the W of Varna East, on the NW shore of Beloslav Lake handles bulk cargo, general cargo, liquid chemicals and containers.

Lesport: Situated 5.4nm W from Varna town on the N shore of Varna Lake handles timber and other bulk cargoes.

Varna Thermal Power Station, 1.5nm SW of Lesport, has three coal berths. Two gas turbines are planned to update the facility.

Traffic

Approx 8,500,000t of cargo, 139,000TEU and 1,330 vessels are handled annually.

What time zone is Varna in?

Local time at Varna 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 Varna?

The deepest berth listed is at Varna West: 10.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Varna?

1011-1013.

Which load line zone is Varna in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Varna?

Port State Control at Varna: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Varna?

The UN/LOCODE of Varna is BGVAR.

What crews who called at Varna 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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