Danube Logistics has resumed the tradition of celebrating the Danube Day in Giurgiulești International Free Port (GIFP) on 29 June. The event gathered delegations from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development headed by Minister Lilia Dabija and the Ministry of Environment led by Minister Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, the General Consul of Romania in Cahul Ms. Anca Corfu, the mayor of Giurgiulești village Ms. Tatiana Galateanu, representatives of regional and local authorities, investors in GIFP business park and further business stakeholders in the region.
The Danube Day refers to the anniversary of the signing of the Danube River Protection Convention which was concluded in 1994. On this day all 14 countries of the Danube River basin comprising about 80 million people celebrate the Danube, the rivers that flow into it and their vital role in providing water, food, power, recreation, livelihoods and transport. Under the umbrella of this year’s theme of the Danube Day “Keep the Danube blue” Danube Logistics explained to the Minister of Environment activities and measures undertaken by the port in order to protect the environment and to keep the Danube and Prut rivers clean.
Prior to the celebration, in a joint meeting with delegations from both the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Environment Danube Logistics presented the necessity to extend the transshipment capacities of GIFP. The existing general cargo terminal is used to capacity and Moldovan importers and exporters as well as investors of GIFP business park request additional transshipment capacities. Danube Logistics plans to construct and operate a new universal berth which permits calls of vessel with a draft of up to 7 m. The envisaged start of operation is in the second half of 2024. General Director Mathias von Tucher emphasized that “although Moldova only has around 500 m shore line to the Danube river, of a total length of 2850 km, the operation of a port at this location is a vital infrastructure for the Republic of Moldova, and we want to have it economically efficient and environmentally friendly”.
Danube Logistics is the general investor and operator of Giurgiulesti International Free Port, the main sea-river port of the Republic of Moldova. Since 2005 Danube Logistics has developed the port into one of the most successful ports on the Danube River facilitating trade of Moldovan companies with international markets. Danube Logistics SRL is wholly owned by the Dutch company Danube Logistics Holding BV. The sole ultimate owner of the Danube Logistics group of companies is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).