Constanta port of Romania to take over Giurgiulesti International Free Port

The Constanta Port will take over the Giurgiulesti International Free Port following the completion of the process initiated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to identify a strategic investor. Romania’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Ciprian Serban today made statements to this effect. The official emphasized that this “is a decision of major relevance for Romania and for the entire Black Sea region.”

Giurgiulesti is the only sea-river port of Moldova and an essential hub at the intersection of the Danube with the Black Sea area. Ciprian Serban said that integrating it into a common vision with Constanta Port strengthened the Danube–Black Sea logistics corridor and creates a stronger regional platform for trade, transit and investments.

“In the current context, marked by geopolitical realignments and the need to diversify trade routes, Romania is taking an active role in developing strategic infrastructure in its vicinity. This takeover contributes to increasing operational capacity in the region, streamlining trade flows to and from Moldova, supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine through safe alternative routes and further integrating Moldova into the European transport network (TEN-T),” said the Romanian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure.

According to the official, the Constanta Port in recent years has proved its capacity to handle record volumes and implement major investments in infrastructure, energy and digitalization, and “extending this model to Giurgiulesti means investment, modernization and predictable development, in full respect of the legislation and sovereignty of Moldova.”

“Romania is not merely pursuing a transaction. Romania is consolidating a strategic corridor and strengthening its position as a logistics pillar at the Black Sea. This is an infrastructure project with regional and European stakes. We will continue investment and development,” the official concluded.

The Giurgiulesti Port is a logistics hub of strategic importance that offers importers and exporters transshipment and storage services, with access to trimodal transport infrastructure.

The port is located on the maritime sector of the Danube River and allows the berthing of river vessels and sea-going ships with a draft of up to 7 meters and a capacity of up to 10,000 tons. As the country’s main port, it handles over 70 per cent of Moldova’s waterborne foreign trade, ensuring supply chains for various types of goods and bringing significant benefits to Moldova’s economy.

Two port infrastructure entities operate in Giurgiulesti: the Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP), owned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the State Port, which is state-owned.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugeniu Osmochescu has recently specified that discussions regarding the change of ownership of Giurgiulesti Port referred exclusively to the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, and not to the Giurgiulesti Cargo and Passenger Port, which is state-owned and which the state does not intend to alienate.

In last spring, EBRD, the owner of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, launched an international tender process to identify potential investors who can continue to support the development of Moldova’s main sea and river port.

In mid-July 2025, the Council for the Examination of Investments of Importance for State Security approved the application of the Romanian National Company “Maritime Ports Administration” SA Constanta to acquire the company Danube Logistics, the operator of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, which is owned by EBRD.