CHINA SHIPPING CONTAINER LINES EXPANDS ITS SERVICES TO GIURGIULESTI INTERNATIONAL FREE PORT
25.06.2015

On 25 June 2015 China Shipping Container Lines and Danube Logistics, the general investor and operator of Giurgiulesti International Free Port, signed a terminal service agreement enabling China Shipping Container Lines to expand its global container shipping services to Moldova. The decision of Chine Shipping Container Lines to expand its services to Moldova is part of the Chinese government’s initiative to revive the ancient Silk Road via its Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road projects.

China Shipping Container Lines is third international container shipping lines offering a direct service to Giurgiulesti International Free Port. In 2014 the transshipment of containers via Giurgiulesti International Free Port increased by 68% to more than 11,000 TEU.  Last year 57% of import containers originated from China and 76% of the export containers were shipped from Giurgiulesti International Free Port to Asian markets.

Thomas Moser, the Chairman of Danube Logistics stated: “China Shipping Container Lines decision to offer direct services to Moldova via Giurgiulesti International Free Port is the result of our successful collaboration over the last three years. Moldovan exporters will from now on be able to export their goods in regular or refrigerated containers from Moldova with China Shipping Container Lines’ to the world market. Especially Moldovan companies exporting agricultural goods to the fast growing markets in Asia and the Arabian Gulf will greatly benefit from this new service.

Our collaboration with China Shipping Container Lines is the first project of our strategy to develop Giurgiulesti International Free Port as one of the logistics centers and business parks of the New Silk Road. The service agreements we have signed today will enable us to start the development of a special zone within the territory of Giurgiulesti International Free Port for investments of Chinese companies, who wish to access not only the Moldovan but also the European Union and CIS markets.”

Danube Logistics, the general investor and operator of Giurgiulesti International Free Port, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch company Danube Logistics Holding BV.

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DANUBE LOGISTICS STRENGTHENS EMERGENCY RESPONSE SKILLS

From March 3 to 5, 2026, two representatives of the Danube Logistics team, Ion Catana, Head of the Oil Terminal Operations Department, and Veaceslav Sarabaș, Fire Protection Engineer, participated in the training of fire brigade commanders from enterprises and institutions, organized by the Cahul Municipal Emergency Situations Department. The program included theoretical sessions and practical exercises focused on fire prevention, organizing intervention, and coordinating actions in emergency situations.

 

Our colleagues participated as leaders of Danube Logistics’ volunteer firefighting teams and will pass on the knowledge they gained to the entire team, strengthening internal prevention and response capabilities. Their involvement reflects the company’s commitment to operational safety and the application of best practices in the field of security and civil protection at Giurgiulești International Free Port.

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THE DANUBE LOGISTICS TEAM CONTINUES TO DEVELOP ITS ENERGY MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE

Professional development in energy management: Svetlana Știrbu, HSE specialist, Veaceslav Sarabaș, fire protection engineer, and Alexandr Mititel, accountant, from the Danube Logistics team have successfully completed the online course “Energy management system according to SR EN ISO 50001:2018 standard. Energy management system auditor according to SR EN ISO 50001:2018 and ISO 19011:2018 standards”, strengthening our expertise in energy efficiency and energy management system auditing.

 

The course, organized by SRAC SERVICII GRUP S.R.L. in Romania from January 26 to 30, 2026, allowed the three trainees to acquire advanced skills in the implementation, auditing, and continuous improvement of the energy management system. Most importantly for our operational performance, following the completion of this course, the three colleagues have obtained the certification of internal auditors for energy management systems and are now authorized to plan, organize and conduct internal audits of management systems in accordance with ISO 19011:2018, apply audit techniques and evaluate evidence, formulate nonconformities and improvement opportunities, prepare audit reports and monitor corrective actions, thus actively contributing to the continuous improvement of both energy performance and the management system.

 

This specialized training is part of our ongoing commitment to optimize energy management and increase energy efficiency of the operations of Giurgiulești International Free Port following the successful EN ISO 50001:2018 certification obtained on June 25, 2025, issued by SRAC and IQNet.

 

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DANUBE LOGISTICS CONTRIBUTES TO DISCUSSIONS ON MODERNIZING AND DIGITALIZING CUSTOMS PROCEDURES

Today, Danube Logistics management participated in a business meeting organized by the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the European Business Association (EBA Moldova), an event dedicated to strengthening dialogue with the business community.

 

The meeting provided an open forum for discussing priorities for modernizing, digitizing, and streamlining customs processes, as well as addressing practical issues in the day-to-day operations of economic operators.

 

Danube Logistics was represented by Deputy general manager Ms. Ala Aydov. In her speech, Ms. Aydov noted the positive developments in the work of the Customs Service, highlighting the progress made in standardizing practices, developing IT systems, and fostering a constructive climate for international trade. At the same time, our Deputy general director mentioned the need to review certain procedures related to the formalization of the movement of goods within Giurgiulești International Free Port (GIFP). Ms. Ala Aydov also emphasized the importance of a continuing constant and constructive dialogue between the authorities and the business community to ensure clear, efficient procedures that are aligned with European standards.

 

Danube Logistics’ participation in this event reconfirms the commitment of GIFP  to transparency and institutional cooperation, as well as its willingness to continue working with the Customs Service to support a competitive and sustainable business environment in the Republic of Moldova.

 

Photo credit: Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova, European Business Association Moldova

 

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14.02.2026
THE GOVERNMENT OF ROMANIA ANNOUNCES THE PURCHASE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE BY THE MARITIME PORTS ADMINISTRATION SA CONSTANȚA OF THE OPERATOR OF THE GIURGIULEȘTI PORT IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

The Government welcomes the transaction nearing completion by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the purchase of the operator of the Giurgiulesti International Port, ICS Danube Logistics, by the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanta.

 

On 31 December 2025, the EBRD signed the Share Purchase Agreement for the sale of 100% of its shares held in ICS Danube Logistics, the operator of Giurgiulești International Port, to the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanța. The transaction was approved by the shareholders of the Port of Constanța on 12 February 2026.

 

Through this acquisition, Romania, via the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanța, undertakes firm commitments regarding the long-term development of the Giurgiulești International Port and the strengthening of its position in the Black Sea region and the Danube basin. Significant long-term investments are envisaged to increase the port’s capacity, improve and modernize infrastructure, and consolidate its strategic importance in the area.

 

The investment will also contribute to the development of maritime capacities and to strengthening the role of the Port of Constanța in the Black Sea region, especially in the current geopolitical context, with the objective of transforming it into a regional hub ensuring interconnection between the European Union and neighboring regions.

 

At the same time, this transaction provides additional leverage for operators in Romania and the Republic of Moldova to support the future reconstruction process of Ukraine.

 

The transaction contributes to strengthening the strategic partnership between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, stimulating the economic and commercial relations between the two states. As the main port of the Republic of Moldova, the Giurgiulești International Port manages over 70% of imports and exports carried out by waterway, ensuring the Republic of Moldova’s supply chains for multiple types of goods.

 

Additional information:

 

The Giurgiulesti International Port, located at the mouths of the Danube, just a few kilometres from the border with Romania and close to the border with Ukraine, can receive both river and sea vessels. The port infrastructure includes an oil terminal, two grain terminals, a terminal for other goods and a business park.

 

The National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constanta submitted its first bid on 24 April 2025 within the tender organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the majority shareholder of ICS Danube Logistics.

 

Source: Press release of the Government of Romania

 

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