Executive Agency "Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River" (EA EMDR) will purchase a new hydrographic vessel to take snapshots on the riverbed. The vessel is at the value of 6.1 million BGN and is a part of the project "Improvement of navigation systems and topohydrographic measurements along the Danube River - Phase 2", financed under Operational Programme on "Transport and transport infrastructure" 2014 – 2020. Two days ago began the construction of the specialized vessel and it is expected to be completed by February 2017, said the Execitive Director of EA EMDR Eng. Pavlin Tsonev during an information event to present the project activities.

"The vessel will be equipped with modern hydrographic equipment and a laser system, which will serve to take a snapshot of the depths in the riverbed and create a model of the terrain along the bank, the islands and the bays. This will allow for a more accurate analysis of their condition and will give the line for potential modification of the fairway in the Bulgarian section of the river“, added Pavlin Tsonev. He said that the agency currently is implementing another project for the delivery of one survey and one marking vessels that will completely renovate the fleet of EA EMDR. "The purchase of modern equipment will allow for exchange of up-to-date and harmonized information with the neighboring Danube countries on critical areas and water levels. This will significantly support the planning of inland waterway transport and the identification of particular measures for maintenance of the fairway", said Tsonev.