The Oryahovo-Beket ferry complex has been out of operation since July 10 because of the extremely low level of the Danube, leaving the company without regular income and creating growing problems for workers, farmers and transport businesses that depend on the crossing, BGNES reported.
Ferry complex manager Veronika Simeonova said the shutdown has already lasted more than a month. Of the company's 70 employees, only 15 are currently working, while the others have been placed on paid or unpaid leave.
“We have stopped working since July 10 and have been without any income for more than a month. Out of 70 staff, only 15 are currently working. The rest are on paid and unpaid leave,” Simeonova told BGNES.
The disruption is also affecting businesses in the region that use the ferry to move goods to Romania and onward to other European markets. Farmers are among those facing the biggest difficulties, with problems both in exporting agricultural produce and obtaining fertilizers.
“Farmers complain that they have difficulties exporting their crops, as well as with the supply of fertilizers for their activities. Things are very serious,” Simeonova said.
