In 2022, the Giurgiulesti port set a new record for cargo transshipment, the volume of which exceeded 1.8 million tons.
This was announced by Danube Logistics, noting that the record was registered last year in the context of a vital effort to secure supply chains in the region. In particular, the volume of cargo transshipments through the Giurgiulesti port in 2022 exceeded the previous record result of 2021 by 30%. Thus, despite the fact that the total volume of imported goods in the amount of more than 1 million 20%, the volume of transshipment of petroleum products at the oil terminal increased by 41% - up to 577 thousand tons, and the volume of imported coal increased by almost 3 times compared to 2021. In the import mode 93 thousand tons of solid and liquid mineral fertilizers were transshipped, which is 3 times more than in previous years. At the same time, imports of building materials decreased significantly (-51%), mainly as a result of low demand in the road construction market in the first half of the year. In 2022, the volume of transshipment of goods in the export mode also increased by 45% in the port, reaching 811 thousand tons. Most of the exports were cereals, sunflower seeds and meal in the amount of 574 thousand tons (+45% by 2021). Also, vegetable oil exports increased by 147% compared to the previous year, amounting to 196 thousand tons. Herewith, scrap metal exports decreased by about 52% due to the limited capacity of the general cargo terminal. Danube Logistics CEO Mathias von Tucher said that despite many problems over the past year, the Giurgiulesti port has fulfilled its vital function of securing supply chains for Moldovan importers and exporters. We are talking about the import of oil products and coal through the port, which contributed to the energy security of the country, as well as the import of liquid and solid fertilizers, which ensure the stability of the supply of agricultural products. In addition, the port has also proven to be a useful solution to support shipments to/from Ukraine. “A significant part of the fuel imported through the port is delivered further to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moldovan exporters bought grain from Ukraine and transshipped it through the port of Giurgiulesti, contributing to international efforts to reduce the threat of a food crisis caused by the war. In addition, as a solution to stabilize container traffic to and from Moldova at the end of 2022 one of the residents of the port launched a block train for the transport of containers between the ports in Giurgiulesti and Constanta,” said Mathias von Tucher. “In order to cope with increased demand and expand the port's operating capacity, headcount was 23% higher than in 2021, investments and equipment purchases were accelerated. At the same time, tariffs for customers have been kept at a reasonable level to support the national economy. It is important to note that we are in the final stages of designing the expansion of the general cargo terminal, which is currently operating at maximum capacity, through the construction of a universal key, which involves an investment of $ 7 million. Thus, the transshipment capacity will be increased by 700 thousand tons per year, and the projected facility will be put into operation in 2024,” he stressed. Danube Logistics is the general investor and operator of the Giurgiulesti port, the main river port of Moldova with access to the sea. Since 2005, Danube Logistics has made the port of Giurgiulesti one of the most successful ports on the Danube, helping to promote the trading activities of Moldovan companies in international markets. Danube Logistics is wholly owned by the Dutch group Danube Logistics Holding BV, which is ultimately owned by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.//27.01.2023 — InfoMarket.
