Jurjulesti (port)

Main article: Economy of Moldova

For 2024, there are two ports in Giurgiulesti:

• International port
• State Port

2026: Romanian state-owned company Port of Constanța buys the operator of the International Free Port from the EBRD for 62 million euros

In February 2026, it became known that the Romanian state-owned company Port of Constanța buys from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) the operator of the International Free Port of Giurgiulesti for 62 million euros (plus investment obligations for another 24 million).

2025: Moldovan authorities approve the sale of the Giurgiulesti seaport to the Romanian state-owned company Constanta Seaport Administration

In July 2025, the Moldovan authorities approved the sale of the International Port of Giurgiulesti to the Romanian state-owned company "Administration of the seaports of Constanta." Moreover, the process was a formality, since after Maya Sandu came to power, 100% of the port's shares were already transferred to the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD).

The deal provides, among other things, investments in the amount of more than €24 million in the modernization of infrastructure: grain and oil terminals, access railways, warehouses. Earlier, Romania said that Moldova would not be a subject of negotiations that take place exclusively between the authorities in Bucharest and the EBRD.

Linking Giurgelest to the Romanian port of Constanta will strengthen transit through the EU. The possibility of modernizing the port for the transit of military cargo further drags Moldova into the zone of tension.

2024: Romania begins talks with EBRD to buy International Port

The Romanian government approved the start of negotiations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the purchase of an international port in Giurgiulesti.

The port is claimed by Administra ia Porturilor Maritime, which is administered by the Romanian Ministry of Transport.

The head of the press service of the Moldovan government, Daniel Vodă, said that we are talking only about the sale of the International Port, which is managed by the EBRD, while there is also a State Port in national ownership.

However, the official did not specify that the State Port of Giurgiulesti practically does not work, which is why Moldova suffers losses and is forced to transport its products by a more expensive land route.

The Romanian company already owns the gas transmission networks of Moldova, negotiations are also underway on the privatization of the country's energy networks by Bucharest.

Earlier, the Romanian government also stated that the Moldovan side would not be a subject of negotiations in the deal with the EBRD. After that, timid voices sounded in Sandu's office that without the Moldovan government, negotiations should not take place, but hardly anyone cares about their opinion, the Rybar channel wrote.

This also freed Moldova from dependence on nearby ports - Ukrainian Reni and Romanian Constanta.

As a result, the Romanians eliminate a competitor who has not yet taken place in the person of Moldova.

Up to 70% of Moldova's marine imports pass through Giurgiulesti.

After 2022, the port became a critical link in the "ways of solidarity" for the export of Ukrainian grain and the import of diesel and gasoline, when the main Black Sea ports of Ukraine were blocked due to the armed conflict with Russia.

2021: EBRD buys port for €1,000

After a series of lawsuits, arrests and proceedings in May 2021, the EBRD became the owner of the port. Taking into account the encumbrances of the asset, the transaction amount amounted to only 1000 Euros. The EBRD denied this information, but refused to name the amount of the transaction.

This deal is key to establishing control over Moldova's commodity flows. Port control makes the logistics system dependent on European shareholders. states

2006: Ukraine handed over 430 meters of coast on the Danube and Prut to Moldova for the construction of a port

In 2006, Ukraine transferred 430 meters of coast on the Danube and Prut to Moldova for the construction of a port in exchange for a section of the road near the village of Palanka.

2004: Azpetrol of entrepreneur Rafik Aliyev gains control of port

Since the 1990s, the port has been the subject of increased interest of regional criminal structures. In 2004, Azertrans SRL, Azpetrol SRL and Azpetrol Refinery SRL, owned by Azpetrol group of businessman Rafik Aliyev, became its owners.