Ten years of Port of Constanta in Serbian market - Traffic of goods through Romanian port significantly increased

On September 22, 2016, the Holiday Inn Hotel in Belgrade proudly hosts the 10th edition of “Constanta Port Day” in Serbia, organized by Compania Nationala Administratia Porturilor Maritime S.A. Constanta.

Having become one of the most remarkable transport events in the region, this annual meeting offers a unique opportunity for business partners, investors and authorities from Romania and Serbia to meet and express their wishes to develop their business by finding new opportunities and potential partners.

The 2016 edition is really special because what started in 2007 as a country-to-country event has obviously become a regional event, for delegates from Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Austria and Hungary, who come to participate in the event, showing an undeniable interest for what the Port of Constanta may offer them.

For ten years in a row, the traffic of goods between Romania and Serbia using the Port of Constanta has registered significant increases.

The year 2015 set a record in terms of quantities of grains which had passed through the Port of Constanta, almost 20 million tons, transforming Constanta into a real “hub” for grains.

Of course, a part of this success is also due to the important quantities of cargo coming from Serbia and transited through Constanta.

In 2015, the total traffic of goods from Serbia through Constanta amounted to 2,211,716 tons.

Since the beginning of this year, up to the end of July, the traffic registered between Serbia and the Port of Constanta is 3,130,239 tons of various types of cargo, of which 1,851,806 tons representing the river traffic.

Serbia exports grains, in transit through the Port of Constanta to Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Italy, Libya, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Turkey, Algeria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Djibouti, South Korea; this year, it also exports foods and oily seeds, fruits and fats made by Serbia to Turkey. Non-ferrous ores, and iron scraps are exported from Serbia to Turkey and China, whereas metal products are exported to Turkey. Serbia imports, through the Port of Constanta, solid mineral fuels, oil products, ferrous ores and iron scraps, raw or processed minerals, chemical products, machines, transport equipment, glass, glass products and ceramic products, chemical fertilizers, from countries like: Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Jordan, Finland, Spain, Denmark, Turkmenistan, Italy, Morocco.

Of the total traffic, grains represent the most important goods exported, with 1,770,234 tons, followed by fertilizers with 779,941 tons.

The Port of Constanta is perfectly prepared to operate large quantities of grains because of the grain storage capacity that amounts 1,259,300 tons, representing 50% of the storage capacity of Constanta County and, respectively, 7% of the country’s total grain storage capacity.

Owing to this positive trend of the regional market, important port operators have already made steps forward in developing new projects to enhance the grain storage capacity of the Port of Constanta.

Although grains and fertilizers are a very important segment in the total traffic, Port of Constanta comprises much more than that. Among the 30 terminals operating in the port, one can find the desired services for any kind of merchandise, be it containerized or general cargo, dry or liquid bulk, RO-RO, ferry or even project cargo.

How does the Port of Constanta prepare to face the current economical climate?

Valeriu Nicolae Ionescu, C.E.O. of C.N. A.P.M. S.A. Constanta: That`s a very good question and it is the kind of question we permanently have in our minds and try to find the best answers.

Firstly, the Port of Constanta appreciates that each partner should enjoy the benefits of the competitive advantages offered by the port in its capacity of both maritime and river port, allowing the accommodation of any type of river and seagoing vessel, biggest natural depths in the port, intermodal connections (maritime, river, rail and road), high-quality port operators competing with one another in offering services at better and better standards.

Under such circumstances, we may appreciate that the Serbian economic potential, through the Serbian economic entities using the Port of Constanta as their main exit to the sea, will find new ways to develop into reliable partnerships between Romanian and Serbian companies to the benefit of both countries.

Let us not forget that the Port of Constanta is steadily looking for the development of business upward the Danube in its endeavor of increasingly using inland navigation as a “green” and economically efficient solution for the future transport in Europe.
Secondly, as a “core port” in the TEN-T network, and the South-Eastern border of the European Union, the Port of Constanta has been constantly improving its efficiency by completing projects of high complexity and economic importance, that are meant to make it more efficient.

For instance, the following EU funded projects are to be mentioned as part of this constant effort:

– The bracing-wired road bridge linking the North and South parts of the Port of Constanta, increasing its interconnectivity with the highway and road network

– The systematized railway complex within the river-maritime sector of the Port of Constanta, enhancing the port’s intermodality

– The North Breakwater Extension in the Port of Constanta, generating more safety and better navigational conditions and reduction of the destructive effects of waves over current port precinct works as well

Thirdly, but not lastly, new projects, foreseen in the new Master Plan of the Port of Constanta – strategic medium- and long-term planning (until 2040) will ensure the continuous port development oriented towards the requirements of the global market.

Danube riparian countries, both Romania and Serbia are facing difficulties from the viewpoint of navigation reliability of the Danube: What is your view on this matter?

V.N.I.: In my opinion, the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, an initiative to which Romania has been seriously contributing, represents the rightful framework through which support for these projects, meant to make the Danube river a transport corridor, reliable for navigation, can be, and should be EU co-funded.

Beyond the money issue, which, let’s face it, is very important, there is a great need for all riparian countries to bring their plans and efforts in line regarding the development of the Danube Region by solving the most important aspect: to ensure navigation reliability on the Danube through investments in dredging works, fairway marking and riverbed surveying, but obscuring the EU legislation on preserving and protecting environment and biodiversity.

This is no longer merely our desire, it has become an even more pressing need and, in this respect, Romania and Serbia have, for sure, a lot to do together.

What would be your message for the 10th edition of Constanta Port Day in Serbia?

V.N.I.: A decade of hopes, wishes and facts to find better ways to cooperate with Serbian partners is something that must be celebrated properly, joining Romanian and Serbian companies in a common effort to ensure benefits for both countries, and the motto of this 10th edition “The Port of Constanta serving Serbia at its best!” speaks for itself.

To this great success, a very important contribution has been made by Mr. Vladan Misic, the representative of the Port of Constanta in Serbia, whose endeavor and marketing skills are much appreciated, both by our company and our Serbian partners.

I'd also like to add that on October 16, 2016, the Port of Constanta celebrates 120 years from the beginning of its modern operations, and all events of this year to promote our port, both abroad and at home, are dedicated to this special date, which represents “the birth of the modern Port of Constanta”.

Luka Konstanca Rumunija

the Danube

traffic of goods through the Danube

export of grains

general cargo

ferries

project cargo

RO RO

Valeriu Nicolae Lonescu

Constanta Port Day 2016