Moffatt & Nichol Contract for Bulgarian Ports

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Moffatt & Nichol announced that it has recently signed a contract with the Bulgarian Ports and Infrastructure Company for detailed design of two new container terminals at the Black Sea ports of Varna and Bourgas in the Republic of Bulgaria. In a joint venture with Japanese consulting firm Oriental Consultants, Moffatt & Nichol will be responsible for the detailed design, tender assistance, and construction supervision for the two new container terminals. This project will be managed through the firm’s London office.

The project, which has been financed by a $410m loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to last 80 months. Local engineering and design support will be provided by Bulgarian sub-consultants.

Bulgaria now represents the European Union’s (EU) eastern border and has strategic importance as a trade link between Western Europe and Central Asia, the Near East, the Middle East, the Far East, and the countries of the Black Sea region. The biggest share of the trade with the EU and non-member states is carried out by maritime transport. Located on the west coast of the Black Sea, Varna and Bourgas are the two largest ports in Bulgaria and handle about 60 percent of national import and export trade. The new container terminals will be a critical part of meeting the growing trade demands in the region and will provide significant economic and social development in Bulgaria.

(www.moffattnichol.com)