Beginning in 2006, the Republic of Moldova gained direct access to the Black Sea and the freedom to trade via maritime routes.
This was possible thanks to the creation and commissioning of the Giurgiulești International Free Port (GIFP).
Unfortunately, the facility’s territory is very limited in area, and the number of vessels that can berth at its terminals or docks for loading and unloading is extremely restricted.
Giurgiulești North Seaport – The First International Port on the Prut River
In order to enhance Moldova’s maritime and economic potential, we propose a bold concept: the construction of a new port complex along the Prut River, downstream of the village of Giurgiulești.
This new facility — “Giurgiulești North Seaport – The First International Port on the Prut River” — would allow for a greater number of sea-going vessels, higher volumes of freight transshipment via maritime and river routes, and an enlarged logistics infrastructure.
The concept was developed by Marin BODRUG (founder/administrator of NEWS.UNGHENI.ORG) and is submitted for review by all relevant authorities and stakeholder groups interested in advancing this domain.
About Ports in Moldova
On the territory of the Republic of Moldova there are currently three river ports, one maritime-accessible port, and three riverine landings which support transport of passengers and cargo on both banks of the Dniester River.
Of these, only the river port at Ungheni is fully operational and supports the operation of the Giurgiulești international port.
About the Giurgiulești Port Complex
The Giurgiulești Port Complex is situated at the maritime section of the Danube and on the Prut River. It consists of:
- The „Portul Internațional Liber Giurgiulești” (PILG)
- The Port of Passengers and Cargo Giurgiulești (PPMG)
PILG is capable of receiving both maritime vessels (with drafts allowing passage via the Sulina Channel) and inland-navigation ships.
Current Limitations
At present, PILG’s operational parameters are constrained:
- Available water depth at the mouth of the Prut where it enters the Danube is up to approximately 7 meters
- Only a small number of simultaneous loading/unloading operations are possible across various terminals (petroleum, grain, vegetable oils, etc.)
- Limited storage capacities for certain commodities (for instance: vegetable oils ~6,000 tons; cereals storage ~50,000 tons)
Description of the Giurgiulești North Seaport
Location & Project Outline
The “Giurgiulești Nord Seaport” project proposes to extend eastwards the Prut River via the construction of a navigable canal north of the village of Giurgiulești, in the segment between the northern cliff of the village and the village of Câşliţa-Prut.
Key parameters:
- Canal width: 50–70 m
- Depth: minimum 7 m
- Route: crossing under national road R34 Cahul – Giurgiulești, connecting with M3 Chișinău – Giurgiulești, stretching about 2–2.5 km within Moldovan territory.
At about 2–2.5 km from the Prut, the canal would branch into 2–3 secondary channels, each ~100 m wide, designed to increase capacity and accommodate larger vessels.
Planned Infrastructure
Once completed, the Giurgiulești Nord Port Complex would include:
- Multiple loading/unloading terminals
- Vessel parking and barge docking areas
- Yacht and recreational zones
- Industrial/logistics parks adjacent to M3 (Chișinău – Giurgiulești)
- Potential revival of Cahul Airport as a cargo hub
- Ample land available for storage, processing, and logistics facilities
Port Complex Features
Once the canal and its branches are constructed, the new port complex — “Giurgiulești Nord Seaport” — could be built, including:
- Multiple types of terminals and docks
- Space for parking vessels/barge fleets
- Yachting club infrastructure
- Adjacent logistics/industrial zones leveraging its proximity to the national route M3 (Chișinău–Giurgiulești) and the former Cahul Airport (which could be converted into a cargo-airport)
- Availability of agricultural land nearby suitable for establishing new facilities for loading/unloading, open/closed storage, and the value-added processing of raw materials
Transport Connectivity
The proposed port would enjoy access to strategic infrastructure:
- Several international airports nearby: former Cahul Airport (≈50 km), future Galați-Brăila Airport (≈30 km), Chișinău International Airport (≈230 km), Iași International Airport (≈230 km), Bucharest International Airport (≈250 km), Odesa International Airport (≈290 km)
- Direct access to key national and international road corridors: M3 (Chișinău–Cimișlia–Giurgiulești), E87 (Reni–Ismail–Sarata–Odesa), DN22B (Galați–Brăila) with access to Constanța via the Danube Bridge at Brăila; and the proposed Ungheni–Constanța motorway (at concept stage)
- Rail connections of both CIS and European gauge via three lines:
- CIS gauge: Giurgiulești – Cahul – Cantemir
- EU gauge: Giurgiulești – Galați (connection to Bucharest/Constanța/Western EU)
- CIS gauge: Giurgiulești – Basarabeasca (connection Chișinău/Ungheni/Odesa)
Risks and Key Considerations
Exploring and initiating discussions around the Giurgiulești Nord port concept involve several inherent risks:
- Bureaucratic risks: amending approximately ten normative acts and preparing an entire legal/regulatory package to launch the project
- Economic risks: low initial returns relative to the size of required investments; large number of land plots to nationalise or acquire from private owners, with associated costs
- Security risks: the region is near a “frozen conflict” zone (given the ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine) which may affect stability
- Environmental risks: all activities concerning the Prut River are regulated jointly by Chișinău and Bucharest, and therefore the project could face intense negotiation regarding environmental impact
- Political risks: political instability at national/regional level in Moldova, and lack of a unified position on this project among stakeholders
Conclusion
The Giurgiulești Nord concept offers a visionary leap for Moldova’s maritime-logistics capacity, by turning the Prut River zone into a fully international port gateway.
With its location, connectivity, and the potential for industrial/logistics development, the project could significantly elevate the region’s economic standing.
However, strong commitment from public authorities, international investors, environmental and regulatory alignment, and regional cooperation will be essential to transform this vision into reality.
See more concepts for the development and promotion of the UNGHENI region and the Republic of Moldova, launched in the public sphere by Marin BODRUG:
- From Ungheni to the Black Sea: The Chernivtsi – Ungheni – Constanța Highway Concept
- Where the Ungheni – Chisinau – Odessa highway – the first highway connecting Romania, Moldova and Ukraine – will pass through
- De la Prut la Nipru. Cum ar putea arăta Autostrada Iași – Ungheni – Kiev
- От Прута до Днепра. Как может выглядеть автомагистраль Яссы – Унгены – Киев
- [CONCEPT] Platforma UNGHENI – primul Forum internațional al orașelor înfrățite
- [CONCEPT] Pod pietonal peste Prut la UNGHENI
- Din Ungheni la Marea Neagră. Cum ar putea arăta Autostrada Cernăuți – Ungheni – Constanța
- От Унген до Черного моря. Концепция автомагистрали Черновцы – Унгены – Констанца
- Где пройдет автомагистраль Унгены – Одесса – первая автомагистраль соединяющая Румынию, Молдову и Украину
- [CONCEPT] Propunere pentru viitoarea Hartă a regiunii VEST / UNGHENI
- Premieră la Ungheni! În luna mai va fi organizat un festival al castanilor
- Festivalul Castanilor – o idee care ar putea prinde viață pentru a promova orașul Ungheni
- Festivalul Castanilor – o idee care ar putea prinde viață pentru orașul Ungheni
We would like to remind you that the concept, called „Giurgiulești North Seaport – the first international port on the Prut River,” was developed by Marin BODRUG, a native of Ungheni and founder and administrator of NEWS.UNGHENI.ORG, and has been submitted for review to all authorities and groups interested in the development of this area.
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