Ciprian Sherban
“Now we are also negotiating the acquisition of the Giurgiulesti port in the Republic of Moldova. It has a very strategically favorable position. Theoretically, we are in the process of signing a contract. We negotiated with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), made them an offer and it was accepted. We were the winners and next week we will hold talks with the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Bolei. Moldova itself also has to fulfill a number of conditions. They will have to extend the term of operation of the port, which is currently valid until 2030. In order for the investment to be justified and bring profit to Romania, we need guarantees that we will be able to operate it after 2030. They are open and will make this change as soon as possible,” Ciprian Sherban told DC News.
Romania has shown interest in acquiring the Giurgiulesti port from 2023, as it is an important point in the supply of goods to and from Ukraine.
Three companies participated in the tender announced by the port’s current owner, the EBRD: the Constanta (Romania) Sea Port Authority, the Turkish company Yildirim Holding, which made the most favorable offer, and a company from Germany, the name of which is not mentioned anywhere.
The Moldovan Council for the Review of Investments of State Security Importance, without disclosing other available offers, approved the Romanian company’s request to buy the port operator Danube Logostics. However, one of the Romanian company’s shareholders filed a lawsuit challenging the acquisition decision, which led to the suspension of the transaction.
