Romanian govt approves 6.1 bln lei (1.2 bln euro) investments in Constanta, Galati ports

The investments seek to modernise and expand the railway infrastructure for the port of Constanta and remove blockages in the port of Galati by improving existing infrastructure, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 5.36 billion lei investment in the port of Constanta will upgrade an existing 257.8 km railway line and add a new 13.6 km line in order to increase transport performance and port accessibility by optimising the flow of goods from maritime to terrestrial transport.

The objectives of these modernisation works are to improve commercial activity and consolidate the port’s increasing significance within the Black Sea, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, Romania’s prime minister Nicolae Ciuca said ahead of the government meeting on Wednesday.

Financing is secured with non-reimbursable European funds and from the state budget through the transport ministry and domestic railway operator CFR’s revenues. Out of the total investment, 4.11 billion lei are dedicated to in-situ assembly.

The 780 million lei investment in the port of Galati targets the extension of its existing surface area by 30,051 sq m, the creation of a 115,480 sq m multi-modal platform, the modernisation of an 868-metre vertical platform, and the construction of a 33,682 sq m terminal access area.

These works set out to optimise the flow of goods and improve the connection of the port of Galati to the central Rhine-Danube network, according to prime minister Ciuca.

The Galati port investment is financed by non-refundable European funds, along with funds from the state budget, through the transport and infrastructure ministry.

(1 euro=4.9052 lei)