Top European bank launches tender for identifying new investor for Giurgiulești Port of Moldova

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the owner of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, has launched an international bidding process, in order to identify potential investors who can further support the development of the main maritime and river port of Moldova.

In a press release, EBRD informed that the process was fully coordinated with the government of Moldova, including the future commercial and legal framework of the port, with the aim of facilitating foreign investments.

In 2021, EBRD acquired 100 per cent of the capital of the Danube Logistics group of companies, becoming the sole owner of Danube Logistics Ltd Company, the port operator.

The Giurgiulesti Port is a strategically important logistics hub, which provides importers and exporters with transshipment and storage services, with access to a trimodal transport infrastructure. The port is located on the maritime section of the Danube River and allows the mooring of river vessels and sea vessels with a draft of up to 7 m and a capacity of up to 10,000 tons. Being the country's main port, it handles over 70 per cent of Moldova's foreign trade by water, ensuring supply chains for various types of goods and bringing significant benefits to the Moldovan economy.

Last summer, the Romanian government approved a Memorandum on the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition by the Romanian state of Danube Logistics Ltd’s shares held by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the Giurgiulesti International Free Port.