DP World, EBRD seal €25m deal to power up Constanța Terminal

DP World and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

have signed a loan agreement worth up to €25 million ($28 million) to support

the electrification of operations at DP World’s Constanța South Container

Terminal.

The financing is the terminal’s first dedicated green loan and forms part

of a €100 million ($114 million) investment programme expected to cut CO2

emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes per year.

According to DP World, ageing diesel-powered equipment will be replaced

with electric alternatives, while shore power will be introduced for vessels at

berth, improving air quality, reducing noise and increasing operational

reliability for customers.

The electrification programme combines the EBRD loan with grants from the

European Union and the Romanian government.

Alongside the loan, the project includes a €19.7 million ($22.5 million)

grant under the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), part of

the Connecting Europe Facility, with the EBRD acting as the EU’s implementing

partner. A further €7.5 million has been secured under Romania’s Transport

Programme 2021–2027.

The investment is split into two components. The first, worth €53.8 million

($61.4 million), will establish core electrification infrastructure, including

new electrical networks, transformers and distribution facilities, and shore

power systems allowing vessels to connect to the port grid while berthed.

It also covers a new connection to the main port power station and grid,

rehabilitation of access roads, and the introduction of 10 electric terminal

tractors and chargers.

The second component, worth €46.2 million ($52.7 million), will fund

equipment including electric, remote-operated rubber-tyred gantry cranes, two

electric mobile harbour cranes and additional electric terminal tractors.

Svitlana Balaban, CEO, DP World Constanța, said: “In today’s trading

environment, the most competitive ports are the most sustainable ports. This

investment reflects that fact by aligning the growth of the Constanța South

Container Terminal with DP World’s global commitment to reducing emissions. By

electrifying our operations, we are not just helping customers build more

resilient and sustainable supply chains, we are also strengthening Constanța’s

position as the Black Sea’s leading green container hub.”

Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, stated: “This is a landmark

investment in Romania, which will not only strengthen the Port of Constanța’s

role as a strategic logistics hub on the Black Sea, but also deliver significant

energy-efficiency gains for the country’s logistics sector. We are delighted to

partner with DP World on this first transaction to support the modernisation of

the Port of Constanța and demonstrate that competitiveness and decarbonisation

can go hand in hand. We look forward to more future cooperation.”