The UAE-owned multinational company DP World and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a loan agreement of up to 25 million euros to support the electrification of operations at the Constanta South Container Terminal, owned by the Emirati company.

The EBRD financing represents the first green loan dedicated to the terminal and is part of a 100 million euros investment programme that will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes per year, according to a company press release.

'The investment represents an important step in DP World's decarbonisation strategy in Romania and supports the transition towards lower-emission port operations. By replacing outdated diesel-powered equipment with electric equipment and introducing shore-side electricity supply for berthed vessels, the project will improve air quality, reduce noise levels and increase operational reliability, benefiting customers,' the press release said.

The electrification programme combines the EBRD loan with grants from the European Union and the Romanian state. The project benefits from a 19.7 million euros grant through the EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), part of the Connecting Europe Facility. The EBRD is acting as the European Union's implementing partner for this funding. The project also benefits from 7.5 million euros through the Transport Programme 2021-2027.

The investment programme consists of two components. The first, worth 53.8 million euros, will create the basic infrastructure required for electrification, including new electricity networks, transformer and distribution facilities, as well as shore-side power supply systems that allow vessels to connect to the port's electricity grid while berthed. This will include a new connection to the main power station and the port's electricity network, the rehabilitation of access roads and the introduction of 10 electric terminal tractors, together with the necessary charging equipment.

The second component, worth 46.2 million euros, will include equipment such as remotely operated electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes, two electric mobile harbour cranes and additional electric terminal tractors.

'This is a landmark investment for Romania, which will not only strengthen the role of the Port of Constanta as a strategic logistics hub on the Black Sea, but will also generate significant energy efficiency gains for the country's logistics sector. We are pleased to work with DP World as part of our first transaction, supporting the modernisation of the Port of Constanta and demonstrating that competitiveness and decarbonisation can go hand in hand,' said Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Regional Director for Romania, in the press release.

DP World Constanta CEO Svitlana Balaban said the investment would strengthen Constanta's position as the leading green container hub in the Black Sea region.

'Through this investment, we are aligning the development of the Constanta South Container Terminal with DP World's global commitment to reducing emissions. By electrifying our operations, we are not only helping customers build more resilient and sustainable supply chains, but we are also strengthening Constanta's position as the leading green container hub in the Black Sea region,' Svitlana Balaban said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Constantin Balaban; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)

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