The Romanian Government is set to begin discussions with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to purchase shares in Moldova’s Giurgiulești International Free Port.
Located in southern Moldova, Giurgiulești is the country’s sole port with sea access. After Russia imposed a blockade on Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea in 2022, the port’s importance surged, handling a record cargo volume of 1.8 million tonnes that year, essential for the transit of goods to and from Ukraine.
During a government meeting on Wednesday, Romanian government spokesperson Mihai Constantin announced that a memorandum had been approved, authorising the initiation of talks with the EBRD.
After acquiring the port, the plan is to make it “one of Eastern Europe’s major freight traffic hubs”, Constantin said.
Romania’s objective is to acquire the EBRD’s shares in Danube Logistics SRL, the operator of the Giurgiulești International Free Port, through “Administrația Porturilor Maritime S.A. Constanța,” a commercial entity under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
The memorandum establishes a negotiation committee consisting of representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Transport, and Finance, tasked with beginning negotiations with the EBRD for the acquisition of these shares.
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