---
title: "CFM resumes scrap metal imports, with over 1,100 tons from Romania arriving in Râbnița"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/88099/cfm-resumes-scrap-metal-imports-with-over-1-100-tons-from-romania-arriving-in-rabnita
published: 2026-10-20T09:05:00Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "Economic"
source: moldova1.md
---

# CFM resumes scrap metal imports, with over 1,100 tons from Romania arriving in Râbnița

> The Republic of Moldova has resumed imports of scrap metal by rail after a hiatus of several years. The first shipment, totaling 1,125 tons, crossed the border from Romania via the Ungheni–Cristești Jijia crossing point. The train consisted of 26 broad-gauge railcars, according to the Moldovan Railway (CFM).

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/3f960138-3069-43c1-bf41-e2ff8bec6d56.jpg)

The Republic of Moldova has resumed imports of scrap metal by rail after a hiatus of several years. The first shipment, totaling 1,125 tons, crossed the border from Romania via the Ungheni–Cristești Jijia crossing point. The train consisted of 26 broad-gauge railcars, according to the Moldovan Railway (CFM).

"This shipment marks the resumption—after a hiatus of several years—of scrap metal imports by rail. In doing so, CFM is bringing this category of freight back onto the tracks, leveraging railway infrastructure for the transport of goods and diversifying international transport flows," the company stated in a press release.

CFM asserts that the resumption of these shipments represents a significant step toward strengthening its role in organizing freight transport between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

When asked by Teleradio-Moldova to provide further details, CFM representatives clarified that the scrap metal transported from Romania is destined for the city of Râbnița, in the Transnistrian region—the site of the Moldovan Metallurgical Plant, one of the most important industrial enterprises in the area.

The plant in Râbnița uses scrap metal as raw material to produce steel and other metallurgical products. Energy crises in recent years and difficulties with electricity supply have affected its operations. In July 2026, the enterprise partially resumed its activities following a period of inactivity.

The Metallurgical Plant in Râbnița requires an environmental permit to conduct its operations, including metallurgical production. The current permit is valid until October 20, 2026. On October 15, Minister of the Environment Gheorghe Hajder said a new permit had not yet been issued and that the Environmental Agency was still reviewing the enterprise's application. According to the minister, issuing the permit depends on compliance with environmental requirements and the ability to conduct inspections at the plant. For now, the authorities have not announced whether the plant has obtained a new permit.