The Giurgiulesti Port Is Seen as a Hub for Ukraine’s Future Recovery

Romania, through the state-owned company Constanta Seaport Authority, has officially finalized an agreement to acquire the operator of the international free port of Giurgiulesti in Moldova. The process of purchasing ICS Danube Logistics from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was finalized on 21 April, reports delo.ua Romanian Transport Minister Constantin Serban described the move as a strategic investment of European significance, which will strengthen the region’s role in logistics chains. The port’s location at the confluence of the Prut and Danube rivers makes it a unique transport hub with access to the Black Sea. The Romanian side sees significant prospects for the Ukrainian direction in this acquisition: - Logistical support: the port of Giurgiulesti is viewed as one of the key hubs involved in the future reconstruction of Ukraine. - Integration with Constanta: the acquisition will enable the synchronization of operations between Giurgiulesti and the port of Constanta, transforming them into a single powerful hub for South-Eastern Europe. - Infrastructure development: Romania plans to invest in the modernization of terminals and the expansion of road links between Galati and Giurgiulesti. The port, built in 2006, accounts for over 70% of Moldova’s maritime cargo turnover and has terminals for petroleum products, grain and other types of cargo. The Romanian government notes that this agreement not only strengthens economic ties with Moldova but also enables more effective competition in the Black Sea basin, ensuring reliable supply routes amid complex geopolitical challenges. It should be recalled that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially launched the “IMO for Ukraine” project. The initiative aims to modernize Ukrainian ports and bring them into line with international safety and environmental standards, which is critical for the sustainable recovery of the country’s maritime sector.