DP World Secures Green Loan for Romania Port Electrification

DP World is injecting significant capital into its Constanța South Container Terminal in Romania, securing a substantial green loan to drive operational electrification. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has committed up to €25 million towards this initiative, marking a pivotal step in modernizing one of the Black Sea's key logistics gateways.

This financing is earmarked for a comprehensive investment program totaling approximately €100 million, designed to drastically cut the terminal's carbon footprint. Projections indicate an annual reduction of over 6,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, underscoring a commitment to sustainable port operations. The electrification drive aims to position Constanța as a leading green container hub in the region.

The financial package is a multi-faceted effort, combining the EBRD's green loan with significant contributions from European Union funding. A grant of €19.7 million from the EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility, administered by the EBRD as the EU's implementing partner, is a key component. Additionally, €7.5 million is being channeled through Romania’s Transport Programme for 2021-2027, highlighting a coordinated approach to infrastructure development.

The investment will be deployed across two main areas. The first, valued at €53.8 million, focuses on establishing the foundational electrification infrastructure. This includes upgrading electrical networks, installing new transformer and distribution facilities, implementing shore power systems for vessels, and enhancing connectivity to the main port power station. Furthermore, access roads will be rehabilitated, and 10 electric terminal tractors with charging stations will be introduced.

The second phase, encompassing €46.2 million, will procure advanced electric equipment. This includes remote-operated rubber-tyred gantry cranes, two electric mobile harbour cranes, and additional electric terminal tractors. These upgrades are crucial for enhancing operational efficiency while simultaneously reducing emissions and noise pollution within the terminal complex.

This strategic investment follows a series of recent expansions by DP World at the Constanța facility. The company previously invested €65 million in a new project cargo and roll-on/roll-off terminal, operational since early 2024, and completed a 119,000 square meter multimodal platform in December 2025. These developments have solidified the terminal's crucial role as a vital link connecting Central Europe with the Black Sea region, including Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.

Svitlana Balaban, CEO of DP World Constanța, emphasized the link between sustainability and competitiveness, stating, “The most competitive ports are the most sustainable ports.” She added that this investment aligns terminal growth with DP World’s global emission reduction goals, enhancing supply chain resilience for customers and reinforcing Constanța's status. Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, hailed the deal as a landmark investment, noting its potential to boost the Port of Constanța's strategic importance and deliver significant energy-efficiency gains for Romania's logistics sector, proving that decarbonization and competitiveness can coexist.