In another clear sign that DP World is looking to link the supply chains across Europe, the Dubai-based company has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Romania’s port of Constanta for a ro-ro and project cargo facility at the Black Sea port.
With a surface area of 160,000 sq metres, the facility will include an empty-container inspection depot, a project cargo facility, a 500m ro-ro berth and a 40,000 sq metre terminal with a dedicated gate, featuring scanner technology to expedite cargo flow.
DP World already operates a container terminal at Constanta which it plans to expand with a 120,000 sq m logistics free zone, a 45,000 sq m warehouse, an empty-container inspection point and cargo handling facilities, including container stripping and stuffing.
The port is connected to the national electrified rail infrastructure and the A2 motorway, with Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport 35km away.
A series of inland container terminals across Europe will provide the link to Western Europe and will include an 82,000 sq m ICD with logistics park at Aiud, around 300km north-west of Constanta, which is expected to be operational next year, and another east of the Serbian city of Novi Sad.
The €30m Novi Sad development is due to be completed in 2024 and will link to the Black Sea via the Danube and its rail connections.
Daniil Melnychenko, data analyst at Odessa-based consultancy Informall, said:“The DP World investment aims to modernise and further develop the ro-ro terminal to boost cargo vessel traffic at the port of Constanta.This includes a new x-ray scanner at the ro-ro terminal, which is set to reduce the time needed for physical inspections and boost operational efficiency.
“However, no timeline of the project development has been provided so far,” he added.
