The Bulyard consortium won the tender for acquiring 75% of Bulgaria's Varna shipyard equity. The news was broken Tuesday by the country's Transport Ministry after a special committee appointed by state-owned Navigation Marine Bulgare made a decision to this end. The winner will now form a joint venture with Bulgaria's national sea carrier, which acquired the shipyard last year for BGN 35.5 M. As early as Sunday Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Nikolay Vassilev said the procedure was a success. He expressed the hope that the new owner of Varna Shipyard will keep the 720-headcount and will even increase it during the next year. At the end of last week the Bulyard consortium, one of the two companies, which advanced in the sale procedure, offered the highest price of USD 16.666 M, while the rival company Tsakos Bulgaria offered USD 15.6 M. Bulyard improved its offer by USD 2.333 M, while Tsakos Bulgaria sweetened its bid by USD 2.350 M.