Bulgarian Operator of Svishtov-Zimnicea Ferry Complains of Losses due to Corruption Scheme

The owner of a Bulgarian company operating a ferry between Svishtov (Bulgaria) and Zimnicea (Romania) has complained of corruption resulting in losses of an average of EUR 40 000 a month for Bulgaria.

According to Nikolay Popov, representative of the Interlink company, Bulgaria fails to make profits from transit fees paid by truck drivers, who choose to use bypass routes instead of the Svishtov- Zimnicea ferry due to a corruption scheme.

Popov, as cited by Trud daily, argues that haulers opt for longer routes to avoid racketeering.

In his words, Romania's border authorities impose fines of EUR 1000 per truck in the case of a lack of permit for the transportation of goods to third countries.

When truck drivers say that they do not have that much money and they give as much as they have, they are allowed to pass, he says.

He points out that although the corruption scheme is applied to Turkish trucks, Bulgaria runs up losses as some 600-800 trucks each month choose to go through Serbia instead of using the shortest route across the Danube on their way to Western Europe.

Popov informs that the company has complained about the corrupt practice to Romania's Border Police and the country's anti-corruption directorate, as well as the Economic Police unit.

Bulgarian MP Ivan Ivanov, Deputy Parliament Speaker, has vowed to inform the Economy Ministry and Bulgaria's trade attaché in Bucharest about the matter, according to Trud daily.