Cargo transshipments via Giurgiulesti International Free Port (GIFP) increased by 3% to a new record of almost 1.1m tons in 2019. During the course of 2019 export cargo volumes including grain, oil seeds, peas, vegetable oil, molasses, wine, spirits and various other cargos increased by 14% and where delivered to 44 different countries. In addition GIFP facilitated the import of mineral oil products, coal, pet-coke, construction material, fertilizer, soda, steel pipes, fiberglass, ceramic goods and various other cargos from 27 countries last year.

Mathias von Tucher, the general director of Danube Logistics SRL, the operator of GIFP stated: “In 2019 GIFP managed to increase transshipments of dry bulk cargo by 9%, general cargo by 24% and of sea containers by 26%. This positive development validates our investment program that is going to double the port’s dry cargo transshipment capacity. Furthermore we are pleased about the fact that we managed to sub-lease an additional 40,000 m2 of land in GIFP’s business park to Moldovan companies for the construction of warehousing, packaging and processing facilities. Over the coming three years the residents of GIFP are planning to invest more than $35m and create about 130 additional jobs.”

Danube Logistics SRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch company Danube Logistics Holding BV, while the economic interests associated with Danube Logistics Holding BV’s shareholding in Danube Logistics SRL are shared with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Danube Logistics Srl provided transshipment and storage services for the Romanian branch of the internationally renowned logistics company Steder Group BV, service provider for Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipeline project. Coated gas steel pipes in various dimensions from the manufacturer Erciyas were shipped on two vessels from Turkey to Giurgiulești International Free Port.

In order to ensure professional, secure and efficient manipulation of this specific cargo, Danube Logistics operational department consulted with experts, visited pipe operations at other ports, elaborated handling instructions and procured specialized equipment. In total more than 2,700 pipes were unloaded and temporary stored in Giurgiulești until the pipes were delivered to two yards close to Chișinău. The final deliveries will be completed within the next two weeks. Receiver of the pipes is Transgaz, the constructor of the gas pipeline between Ungheni and Chișinău, which represents an extension of the interconnection project Iași-Ungheni.

On 9 November 2019 Danube Logistics Srl was invited at Invest Gagauzia 2019, the V — International Investment Forum of Gagauzia. General Director Dr. Mathias von Tucher presented the activities and future plans of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port and highlighted the opportunities for both Gagauzia and the port. Mathias von Tucher was honored having the opportunity to discuss the development potentials with Bashkan Irina Vlah personally.

Already today there are many companies from Gagauzia using the Giurgiulesti International Free Port as gateway to international markets. To the main Gagauzian clients belong exporters of grain and exporters of wine as well as importers of raw materials for the manufacture of various products such as fiberglass and tiles and importers of finished products such as tires.

The M3 road connection between Gagauzia and the port is currently under rehabilitation and certain sections will be built completely newly. After planned finalization in 2020/2021 the new road will shorten the distance and enhance the transport conditions resulting in increased transport volumes.

Mathias von Tucher informed the participants about the planned expansion of the general cargo terminal. Companies that are interested to transship their cargo via the expanded terminal can request additional information from Danube Logistics SRL’s office in Chisinau.

Danube Logistics SRL plans to expand the capacity of its dry cargo terminal to about 1.5 million tons per annum. Mathias von Tucher, the general director of Danube Logistics SRL, discussed the company’s investments plans with the Minister for Economy and Infrastructure Vadim Brinzan during his joint visit of Giurgiulesti International Free Port with the Ambassador of the USA, Derek J Hogan.

The expansion measures will be implemented over a period of three years and will include the purchase of additional equipment as well as the construction of an additional berth with a minimum water depth of 7m. The additional investments of about USD 10m in its open-access dry cargo terminal will enable Danube Logistics SRL to accommodate the increasing demand for the transshipment of grain, fertilizer, coal, steel products, construction material and other dry cargo. Companies that are interested to transship their cargo via the expanded terminal can request additional information from Danube Logistics SRL’s office in Chisinau.

In 2018 transshipments via Giurgiulesti International Free Port reached for the first time more than one million tons, which facilitated imports from 33 countries and exports to 53 countries. Danube Logistics SRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch company Danube Logistics Holding BV, which shares the economic interests related to its shareholding in Danube Logistics SRL with the EBRD. Danube Logistics SRL is the largest investor in Giurgiulesti International Free Port investing in liquid and dry cargo terminals as well as in the development of the port’s business park.