Floating gas stations off Bulgarian ports sell Russian fuel to ships
Two Russian tankers, Nikolay Veliki and Nikolay Gamayunov, have been refueling ships departing from the ports of Varna and Burgas. This risky offshore refueling likely took place due to attractive dumping prices, made possible by the absence of taxes and excise duties on fuel.
This information came to light following an investigation by Dnevnik, based on several reports from companies operating in the ship agency business. Many of these companies act as intermediaries for the only firm in Bulgaria trading in ship fuel, Lukoil-Bulgaria Bunker Ltd. Alongside their full range of services for ships visiting Bulgarian ports, these agents also handle ship refueling. Consequently, the reports claim that this offshore fuel trade has a direct negative impact on the business of Bulgarian shipping agents.
Security services and agencies confirm Bulgaria not linked to pager attack
No pagers, like those that exploded on Tuesday in Lebanon and Syria, were imported, exported, or manufactured in Bulgaria, according to The State Agency for National Security (DANS). This announcement followed inspections carried out jointly with the Revenue Agency, the Ministry of the Interior, and Customs.
It was also established that neither the Bulgarian company mentioned in media reports regarding the explosions, Norta Global, nor its owner have conducted any transactions over which Bulgaria has jurisdiction, involving the purchase or sale of goods.
The inspections revealed that Norta Global has not engaged in financial operations subject to the Law on Measures Against the Financing of Terrorism, nor has it maintained commercial relationships with sanctioned individuals or entities.
Labor costs rise by 15%
In the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period last year, the total costs for employers per hour worked increased by 15.4%, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute. Industry saw an increase of 11.2%, meanwhile services experienced a growth of 13.6% and construction costs rose by 19.5%.
The most significant increases were in public administration, where labor costs grew by 27%, followed by education with 26.4%, and real estate agents - 24.9%.
Both wage expenses and social security contributions increased almost equally, with wages up by 15.4% and social security contributions rising by 15.1%.
Floating gas stations off Bulgarian ports sell Russian fuel to ships
Two Russian tankers, Nikolay Veliki and Nikolay Gamayunov, have been refueling ships departing from the ports of Varna and Burgas. This risky offshore refueling likely took place due to attractive dumping prices, made possible by the absence of taxes and excise duties on fuel.
