Multraship, part of the Muller Maritime Group, is a respected specialist in the international towage and salvage industry, with a fleet of highly sophisticated vessels. In November 2005 it purchased Bourgas Tug Services from its previous owners, as part of a targeted business expansion plan, and as a demonstration of its faith in Bulgaria and in the greater Black Sea region. Multraship has a permanent staff of sixty people in Bulgaria, and has increased its tug fleet there from four vessels to seven since taking over.

Leendert Muller says the company is dismayed by the recent attacks against its staff and property, but that it will not be forced out of Bulgaria. He explained, ‘Multraship is a long term player in Bulgaria and is here to stay. We believe in the economic future of the Port of Bourgas and we have encountered a lot of goodwill and understanding from the Bulgarian authorities, the maritime industry, and the Bulgarian people themselves. We will not succumb to ‘bully-boy’ tactics and threats of violence.’

‘Multraship is in Bulgaria for the long term. That is how we do business. We make a dedicated business plan, and we see it through to a successful conclusion, which is the sort of approach you need when you are involved in the towage and salvage industry. We would like to send a clear message to those who seem to be trying to force us out of the country. We will not go, and we will not succumb to threats of violence, and violence itself.’ 

By JACK GASTON