CHISINAU (Moldova), October 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced that the operator of the international free port of Giurgiulesti in Moldova, Danube Logistics, which it has 100% owned since May , will begin construction of a new berth next year.

When the ongoing projects are completed in 2022, a total of 100 million euros ($ 116 million) would have been invested in the port since 2005, the EBRD said in a press release on Monday.

“After a difficult year of the Covid-19 pandemic which also saw poor harvests, we plan to increase transshipment volumes to more than one million tonnes in 2021 against 934,000 tonnes in 2020. In addition, in 2022 , we plan to start building a new berth, allowing for the transshipment of dry bulk and general cargo in order to increase capacity ”, said Mathias von Tucher, Managing Director of Danube Logistics, during a visit at the port of Matteo Patrone, Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus at the EBRD.

The international free port of Giurgiuleşti hosts 48 resident companies, employs 517 people and serves trade with more than 50 countries. It is used for the export of grain and vegetable oil, as well as the import of fuel, building materials and general merchandise.

“The EBRD has been supporting the construction and operation of the port of Giurgiuleşti since 1995. We are actively working towards the further successful operation and development of this key infrastructure asset and will seek to attract international investors to support and further develop the port. “Patrone said during the visit, according to the press release.

Patrone travels to Moldova for meetings with the new government headed by Natalia Gavrilita and with representatives of private sector companies.

The EBRD acquired 100% of the shares of Danube Logistics on May 7.

($ = 0.8613 euros)