Links between the Black, North and Adriatic seas with mainland Europe set to be transformed
DP World recently opened three major new sites in Romania, providing a significant boost to the country’s growing status as a key hub of European trade and enabling economic growth throughout the region, it was revealed in a press communique.
Constanta, the largest container port on the Black Sea, is now home to two new facilities following a €65mn investment: a 5-hectares ‘project’ cargo terminal for heavy, large and complex cargo, and a new ‘roll-on, roll-off’ (Ro-Ro) terminal that will handle up to 80,000 vehicles annually at its peak.
A further €50mn will be invested in a new multi-transport platform in Constanta that will open in 2025. DP World’s third new facility opening today is in Aiud, in the industrial heartland of Romania, which is now home to a new 8-hectares ‘intermodal’ logistics hub connecting rail and road, following a €21mn investment.
Improving Constanta
The new facilities will improve the connectivity between DP World’s existing sea, rail, barge and truck services across Romania and will enhance the movement of goods between mainland Europe through to the Black, North and Adriatic Seas. DP World has invested over €250mn in Romania since 2004, including grants from the European Union.
The latest infrastructure projects were announced as DP World marks the 20th anniversary of its investment in Romania; the first European country in which it expanded. The business has since grown its operation considerably, contributing to the impressive growth of the port. During this 20-year period Romania has also developed rapidly and is now Eastern Europe’s second-largest economy after Poland.
DP World anticipates that its latest investments will encourage and enable major businesses to relocate or expand manufacturing facilities in the region. This so-called ‘nearshoring’ and ‘reshoring’ has become increasingly prevalent in Europe in recent years, spurred in part by the rise in geopolitical tensions.
Latest investments
“DP World looks forward to building on our long-standing relationship with Romania, and to deploying our latest investments to support Romania as it plays an increasingly important role in trade and economic growth in the region,” commented Rashid Abdulla, CEO and Managing Director, DP World Europe, who started his career as Manager for Constanta in 2004.
“DP World’s latest investments in Romania will increase the cargo flows by around two million tonnes per annum through the country. We believe that with this investment, DP World in Constanta will significantly strengthen its position as one of the most important container and Ro-Ro hubs in Central and Eastern Europe,” remarked Cosmin Carstea, CEO, DP World Romania.
“Constanta port has opened Romania to new markets and trading opportunities, provided stable and skilled jobs and catalysed the development of a whole host of adjacent businesses,” noted Sorin Grindeanu, Minister of Transportation, Romania.
