VIDEO // Deputy Prime Minister: Discussions about changing owner of Giurgiulești Port refer exclusively to Giurgiulești International Free Port, not state port

Discussions on changing the owner of Giurgiulești Port refer exclusively to Giurgiulești International Free Port, not Giurgiulești Cargo and Passenger Port, which is state-owned, and the state does not intend to alienate it. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugeniu Osmochescu made the statement today.


“We are monitoring the situation. We would like to clarify: there is Giurgiulești International Free Port, created by law in 2005, and also the state port. The state port will not be sold; there are no such discussions or plans,” Osmochescu said.


At the same time, the minister emphasized that Giurgiulești International Free Port is managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which is a legal entity free to express itself and engage in commercial relations with other parties. In this context, the official confirmed that discussions are taking place between the EBRD and the Port of Constanța regarding the sale-purchase of the Giurgiulești International Free Port, which is located on a 55-hectare area.

Moreover, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization specified that a potential change in the ownership and management of the Giurgiulești International Free Port will not affect the port operational regime and does not imply alienating the land on which this port infrastructure is located - land that is and will remain state property.

Eugeniu Osmochescu added that the authorities are monitoring the situation but do not intervene, “the negotiation between these two private entities being outside the influence of the Republic of Moldova.”


“Through existing responsible institutions, we monitor everything to see the economic impact, the security impact, and the environmental impact. In July 2025, a principle decision was made to allow investment in the Giurgiulești International Free Port because our main goal is to develop investments and the private sector for the benefit of the citizens, and also the Republic of Moldova. The negotiation between these two private entities is outside the influence of the Republic of Moldova, which does not intervene; it is the free will and expression of these entities that will eventually reach a common denominator for the benefit of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” said Eugen Osmochescu.


The MDED highlighted that the Giurgiulești International Free Port plays a crucial strategic role in the state’s economic security and national protection and reaffirmed its commitment to total transparency in decision-making processes related to any actions regarding alienation.

This spring, the EBRD, the owner of the Giurgiulești International Free Port, launched an international bidding process to identify potential investors who can further support the development of the main maritime and river port of the Republic of Moldova.

Giurgiulești Port is a strategically important logistics hub providing importers and exporters with transshipment and storage services, with access to a trimodal transport infrastructure.

The port is located on the maritime sector of the Danube River and allows the docking of river and maritime vessels with a draft of up to 7 meters and a capacity of up to 10,000 tons. Being the country's main port, it handles over 70% of Moldova's waterborne foreign trade, ensuring supply chains for various types of goods and bringing significant benefits to Moldova's economy.