The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched an international tender to secure a new investor for Moldova’s Giurgiulești International Free Port, a critical logistics hub on the Danube River.
The move, announced on 14 April 2025, aims to attract strategic partners to enhance the port’s role as a regional trade gateway and support Moldova’s economic resilience. Romania has already signalled interest in the asset, alongside potential investors from Turkey, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The Giurgiulești port, handling over 70% of Moldova’s waterborne trade, has become indispensable since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, with blockade of Black Sea ports disrupting regional supply chains.
In 2022, cargo volumes surged to a record 1.8 million tonnes, underscoring its pivotal role in transporting grain, oil, and other goods to and from Ukraine. The EBRD, which acquired full ownership of the port in 2021, has since boosted its efficiency and profitability, with throughput increasing by 30%.
The structured M&A process, advised by Raiffeisen Bank, prioritises aligning the port’s future operations with international standards and Moldovan government priorities. Key focus areas include expanding infrastructure–such as its 63,000-tonne oil terminal and grain facilities–and positioning the port to support Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
Romania’s bid for the port reflects broader geopolitical stakes. Bucharest had previously discussed a memorandum of understanding to acquire Giurgiulești in late 2024, viewing it as a strategic asset to strengthen Danube trade routes. However, competition is fierce, with Bulgarian firm MBF Port Burgas and Dutch-Danish consortia also in talks.
The EBRD’s tender mandates that investors commit to long-term development, including potential upgrades to accommodate larger vessels and digitalise logistics.
