DP World invests €130 M in Romania

Dubai-based ports and logistics powerhouse DP World has injected €130 million (US$141 million) into Romania, with investments spanning three different projects.

In Constanta, the largest container port on the Black Sea, DP World’s investment of €65 million has resulted in the addition of two facilities: a 5-hectare project cargo terminal for heavy, large and complex cargo, and a new RORO terminal, set to handle up to 80,000 vehicles per year at its peak.

A further €50 million is assigned for investment in a new multi-transport platform in Constanta that will open in 2025.

DP World’s third new facility, which was opened on May 15, is located in Aiud, in the industrial heartland of Romania, which is now home to a new 8-hectare intermodal logistics hub connecting rail and road, following a €21 million investment.

“Romania is a dynamic economy and well positioned to benefit from the rise in nearshoring and manufacturing. DP World looks forward to building on our long-standing relationship with Romania, and to deploying our latest investments to support Romania as it plays an increasingly important role in trade and economic growth in the region,” Rashid Abdulla, CEO and Managing Director, DP World Europe, said.

“DP World’s latest investments in Romania will increase the cargo flows by around two million tonnes per annum through the country. We believe that with this investment, DP World in Constanta will significantly strengthen its position as one of the most important container and RO-RO hubs in Central and Eastern Europe. To aid this, we also plan to open a centre of excellence for services in the Balkans, to facilitate trade for the countries around Romania,” Cosmin Carstea, CEO DP World Romania, said.

An example of nearshoring and reshoring can be seen in automotive manufacturing, which has increased rapidly in recent years in the region and is expected to grow further. Automotive makes up 13% of Romanian GDP, with Mercedes-Benz, Renault-owned Dacia and Ford all manufacturing in the country. Automotive firms are also increasingly investing in neighbouring Hungary and Poland and nearby Turkey, making robust supply chains and logistics infrastructure such as the RO-RO terminal increasingly essential not just for Romania, but for the surrounding region.

The new facilities aim to improve the connectivity between DP World’s existing sea, rail, barge and truck services across Romania and enhance the movement of goods between mainland Europe through to the Black, North and Adriatic Seas. DP World has invested over €250 million in Romania since 2004, including grants from the European Union.