Bulgaria's Parliament Passes Amendments to Maritime Space Act

Strategic Insights -

The Bulgarian Parliament has passed a bill revising the Maritime Space, Inland Waterways, and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria Act. The changes aim to streamline procedures for designating areas, sustainable development during dredging, and exercising control over designated areas. According to the amendments, an applicant for a draft master plan for a public transport port will no longer be required to submit documents certifying environmental and biological procedures, instead only providing a reference to the relevant administrative acts. A public register of port operators will be maintained, with registration being a prerequisite for providing port services. The changes also specify requirements for EU-based applicants, including providing evidence of their merchant status and non-involvement in bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bulgarian Parliament has passed a bill amending the Maritime Space, Inland Waterways, and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
  • The revisions establish an ordinance to designate areas, ensure sustainable development during dredging, and exercise control over designated areas.
  • Applicants for a draft master plan for a public transport port will no longer be required to submit environmental and biological documents, only a reference to the relevant administrative acts.
  • A public register of port operators will be maintained, with entry into the register being a condition for providing port services.
  • EU-based applicants will be required to provide written evidence of their merchant status, non-involvement in bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings, and compliance with taxes and social security contributions.
  • The revisions aim to simplify procedures and improve the regulatory framework for the maritime space in Bulgaria.
  • The bill is supported by GERB-UDF, but opposed by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, who argue that the bill regulates a special case.

Statistics:

  • The bill was passed by the Bulgarian Parliament on Thursday without any further details on the voting process.
  • There is no mention of specific deadlines or review periods for the implementation of the revisions.
  • A public register of port operators will be maintained, with no specified number of registered operators mentioned.

Sources:

  • Bulgaria's Parliament on Thursday passed conclusively a bill amending and supplementing the Maritime Space, Inland Waterways, and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
  • According to the revisions, the terms and procedure for designation of the areas, the sustainable development during dredging and the exercise of control over the designated areas are established by an ordinance of the Minister of Transport and Communications issued in consultation with the Minister of Environment and Water.