Romanian government plans to acquire Giurgiulești Port from EBRD
The government in Bucharest is discussing a memorandum in its Wednesday meeting concerning the purchase of the Giurgiulești Port on the Danube in the Republic of Moldova from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), according to g4media.ro.
The acquisition is expected to be carried out through the National Company "Maritime Ports Administration" S.A. Constanța, a commercial entity under the authority of the Ministry of Transport. According to authorities in Chișinău, the EBRD is in talks with several investors regarding the Giurgiulești Free International Port.
Currently, the Giurgiulești Free International Port in the Republic of Moldova is operated by Danube Logistics SRL, which is owned by the EBRD, according to the company’s website.
The memorandum discussed by the Bucharest cabinet of ministers focuses on approving the initiation of negotiations with the EBRD regarding the acquisition by the Romanian state, through the National Company "Maritime Ports Administration" S.A. Constanța, of the shares of Danube Logistics SRL held by EBRD in the Giurgiulești Free International Port.
The Romanian Government has not yet specified the expected amount for purchasing the Moldovan port.
The Giurgiulești Port features an oil terminal, two grain terminals, a terminal for other goods, and a business park.
Prime Minister Ciolacu announced in September 2023 Romania's intention to acquire the Giurgiulești port in the Republic of Moldova.
The spokesperson for the Chișinău Government, Daniel Vodă, explained that there are two port infrastructure entities at Giurgiulești: the Giurgiulești Free International Port, owned by the EBRD, and the State Port, owned by the government. "There are no discussions about selling the state port."
Furthermore, Daniel Vodă specified that the EBRD is in talks with several potential investors, including from Romania, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
