PROSPECTS OF MARITIME TRANSPORT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF “GREEN” LOGISTICS CHAINS

Maritime transportation is dominantly focused on freight since there is no other effective alternative to the long-distance transportation of large amounts of freight. The EC encourages improvements in the sustainability of maritime transport by reducing emissions from ships, and a European maritime transport policy to be developed in the common maritime area. Based upon statistical analysis, the role of waterborne transport, and maritime in particular in the national economy is indicated, in connection with describing the attempts to introduce green logistics in Bulgaria. Special attention has been paid to the opportunities to develop sea ferryboat transport. Also, to support the rile of combined transport for a green logistics, a Cargo Ferry concept has been mentioned, developed is aiming at the removal of the barriers for transferring freight from the road to the sea, particularly on short than 500 kilometers distances, offering a cost-effective and more environmentally friendly alternative.