Constanta Port acquires Moldova's maritime gateway
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has finalized the sale of ICS Danube Logistics to Romania's Constanța Port. The transaction, officially completed on December 31, 2025, transfers full ownership of the operator managing Moldova's Giurgiulești Free International Port (PILG). This strategic acquisition secures Romania's state-owned port operator as the sole owner of Moldova's only maritime gateway.
The sale followed a competitive international bidding process aimed at securing a long-term strategic investor. Constanța Port emerged as the preferred bidder to further integrate Moldova into regional and global trade networks. The new owner has committed to expanding capacity and modernizing infrastructure to strengthen European transport corridors.
Strategic importance and regional trade
PILG currently handles over 70% of Moldova's waterborne imports and exports. The EBRD highlighted the port's critical role in securing supply chains and maintaining the country's economic stability. Furthermore, the facility is well-positioned to facilitate regional trade and support future reconstruction efforts in the broader area.
The EBRD has maintained a long-standing relationship with the port, having supported its initial construction in 1995. To ensure uninterrupted operations, the bank fully acquired the Danube Logistics group in 2021. Throughout the recent divestment process, the EBRD collaborated closely with Moldovan and Romanian authorities to ensure strict legal compliance.
The Giurgiulești Free International Port operates entirely separate from the adjacent State Port of Giurgiulești. By the end of 2025, the free economic zone hosted 74 resident companies. These businesses employ approximately 800 people, underscoring the facility's substantial local economic footprint.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
