Moffatt & Nichol has signed a contract with the Bulgarian Ports and Infrastructure Company to design two new container terminals at the Black Sea ports of Varna and Bourgas in Bulgaria.

In a joint venture with Japan’s Oriental Consultants, the US marine engineering firm will design and supervise construction for the two terminals.

The project, financed with $410m by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is expected to be completed within 80 months.

Local engineering and design support will be provided by Bulgarian sub-consultants.

Located on the west coast of the Black Sea, Varna and Bourgas are the two largest ports in Bulgaria and handle about 60% of national import and export trade.