“Deal not finalized”: Moldovan government comments on sale of Giurgiulești port to Romania

Negotiations over the purchase of the Giurgiulești International Port are ongoing, but authorities have not disclosed details of the unfinished deal. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization noted that the port operator, Danube Logistics, is a private company fully owned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The statement came after Romanian media reported on November 19 that “the Bucharest government has already transferred the final installment for the port purchase.”

The Moldovan Ministry of Economic Development clarified that discussions on potential cooperation with Romania regarding port infrastructure management “are part of a commercial transaction that is currently in progress.” Government representatives stated that they “cannot reveal further details at this time” but emphasized that any deal regarding this strategic asset will be concluded “exclusively in the country’s interest.”

On October 19, Romanian media reported that “Romania purchased the Giurgiulești port as part of a deal reportedly recently finalized.” MEP Nicu Ștefănuță shared the information on Facebook following his meeting with Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Muntianu in Brussels. Ștefănuță wrote: “How can we attract serious investments to Moldova? How can we improve people’s living standards? Romania is part of the solution. It recently purchased Giurgiulești port. Few realize that this is a strategic and well-thought-out investment, as the port is critical infrastructure.”

Romania has pledged to invest over €24 million to modernize the port infrastructure. Giurgiulești is considered a crucial link connecting Moldova to European trade corridors and the Black Sea.

Previously, on April 14, the EBRD announced a tender to find a new investor for the Giurgiulești International Port. The bank emphasized that the tender is being conducted in full coordination with the Moldovan government, including issues concerning the port’s future legal and commercial structure. On April 16, the Ministry of Infrastructure commented on the EBRD’s decision, stating that the government will ensure the tender is conducted in accordance with the law and national interests.

The Giurgiulești port complex is Moldova’s only port with direct access to international waterways and the Black Sea. The complex includes the Giurgiulești Free International Port, managed by Danube Logistics (owned by the EBRD), and the Giurgiulești cargo-passenger port, operated by the state enterprise Portul Fluvial Ungheni.

Tags: Romania, Giurgiulesti