New ferry line to connect Bulgaria and Romania by March 2007

Sofia echo

A ferry complex connecting the Bulgarian town of Silistra to the Romanian Calarasi would start functioning by March 1 2007, Silistra deputy regional governor Ivan Nedev said.

Vessel mooring infrastructure as well as the internal infrastructure of the complex was finished in the end of 2006, Bulgarian news agency BTA said. Equipment for the various services to be offered at the complex is still to be provided.

Silistra-Calarasi ferry complex had to be opened more than a year ago, BTA said. Delays in funding and construction material supply, lack of workers and incompleteness in the construction project caused the delay.

Sofia-based company Mineral In won a tender for the concession of the complex and would invest more that 5.5 million euro in it.

Romania had also finished the construction of its part of the complex.

Silistra - Calarasi ferry complex would serve an average number 50 415 vehicles per year, BTA said.