ABSTRACT
The problems to the Bulgarian economy ensuing from the national port infrastructure reflect a decrease of both regional - within the Black Sea area - and worldwide export competitiveness of the country. Bulgaria possesses two main Black Sea port complexes, situated around the towns of Varna and Bourgas. The access to the main Varna harbour for dry cargo handling - Varna-West - is considerably impeded by the existing tight combination between air-draft restriction in Channel No. 1 and tighter draft limitation in Channel No. 2. Principally, the rate of the ship's bale capacity is calculated on the basis of conscientious and careful placement of the full cargo into all vessels' holds. When packed goods are loaded in, gangs are sometimes careless about the quality of stowing operations. Goods are directly dumped into ships' holds, without enough or no further arrangement or stowing.
