In brief
Bulgaria’s transport minister Georgi Peev has called on Hungary to open Danube navigation corridors so that Bulgarian ships stranded for two months can proceed. The request follows the Bulgarian Danube Chamber’s claim that dredging restrictions in Hungary are blocking vessels. Bulgaria warns it may bring the issue to European institutions if a timely solution is not found.
On Feb 26, 2027, Bulgaria’s Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev addressed Hungary, urging the opening of Danube navigation corridors to allow Bulgarian ships stranded in Hungarian waters for two months to clear the route.
The request followed early contact by the Bulgarian Danube Chamber (BDC) in Ruse, which had approached Peev and Deputy Foreign Minister Hristo Polendakov with the issue, highlighting the growing frustration among ship owners.
Peev said securing dedicated time slots for vessel passage was the main point of a phone conversation he had with Hungary’s Transport and Investment Minister David Vitezy, where both parties discussed scheduling and operational details.
According to BDC members and vessel owners, the Danube segment in question is technically navigable; they blamed Hungary’s dredging restrictions for the blockage and argued that the river’s depth and width are sufficient for passage.
The Bulgarian government is monitoring the situation closely and has indicated it is prepared to raise the dispute with European institutions if Hungary fails to provide a timely solution, signaling potential involvement of EU maritime and trade bodies.
The disagreement highlights the importance of the Danube for regional trade and the need for cooperative waterway management, and may affect shipping schedules, freight costs, and cross‑border commerce until a resolution is reached.
