DP World and EBRD back Constanța terminal electrification with €25m green loan
DP World and EBRD sign €25m green loan to fund Constanța terminal electrification, part of a €100m plan set to cut more than 6,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
DP World and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have agreed a loan of up to €25 million to support the Constanța terminal electrification project at the port’s South Container Terminal in Romania. The financing, described as the terminal’s first dedicated green loan, forms part of a broader €100 million investment programme aimed at modernising operations and reducing carbon emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes a year.
Loan structure and green finance label
The €25 million facility is structured as a targeted green loan to accelerate the conversion of cargo-handling operations to electric power at the South Container Terminal. The agreement marks a collaboration between DP World and the EBRD to de-risk the upfront costs of electrification while aligning the project with clear environmental criteria.
EBRD’s support provides concessional or structured financing that helps bridge the investment gap for infrastructure upgrades. DP World has said this tranche is a first for the terminal and will catalyse further private and institutional funding for low-carbon port initiatives.
Expected emissions and operational benefits
Project modelling indicates the electrification measures will cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes once fully implemented. Beyond CO2 reductions, the shift to electric equipment is expected to lower local air pollutants, reduce noise at the quay, and improve energy efficiency across handling operations.
Electrification typically offers operators lower operating costs per move and more predictable maintenance schedules compared with diesel-powered equipment. DP World and EBRD officials say these operational gains should boost throughput reliability and reduce lifecycle emissions from terminal activities.
Scope of the conversion and technology focus
The conversion programme will target key pieces of handling equipment and supporting infrastructure at the South Container Terminal, transferring operations from fossil-fuel reliance to grid-based electricity. Planned measures include electrifying cranes and yard equipment, upgrading on-site power distribution, and integrating energy management systems to optimise usage.
DP World has indicated a focus on scalable solutions that allow for staged roll-out, which helps maintain service continuity while equipment is modernised. The company also plans to explore renewable power procurement and smart charging to further reduce the carbon intensity of terminal electricity consumption.
Context within DP World’s Constanța investments
The electrification loan is the latest in a series of investments by DP World in Constanța designed to expand capacity and diversify services. In 2024 the group invested €65 million to add a project cargo terminal and a new ro-ro berth, enhancing the port’s ability to handle specialised and roll-on/roll-off traffic.
In December 2025 DP World completed a 119,000 square metre multimodal platform, bolstering intermodal links between the Black Sea and Central Europe. Together, these upgrades have strengthened Constanța’s role as a logistics hub serving routes to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and across the region.
Strategic importance for Black Sea supply chains
Constanța’s South Container Terminal occupies a strategic position on the western Black Sea and serves as a gateway for inland routes into Central and Eastern Europe. DP World executives say electrifying the terminal will underpin efforts to offer lower-carbon shipping solutions across these corridors.
For shippers and freight forwarders operating in the region, reduced terminal emissions and improved operational predictability can support sustainability commitments and help decarbonise broader supply chains. The move also aligns with regional and EU-level priorities to transition port infrastructure toward cleaner energy sources.
DP World has framed the investment as part of a company-wide strategy to reduce emissions and deliver more efficient port services. Svetlana Palaban, DP World’s chief executive for Constanța, said the initiative aligns terminal growth with global decarbonisation objectives and aims to position Constanța as a leading centre for green container operations in the Black Sea.
The full implementation timeline and procurement plan for new electric equipment have not been disclosed, but DP World and EBRD officials expect the programme to proceed in phases to match operational needs and capital deployment schedules.
The €25 million green loan for Constanța’s terminal electrification signals growing investor appetite for port decarbonisation projects and offers a model for other operators seeking to transition equipment and infrastructure. As ports across Europe weigh similar upgrades, the combination of public and private finance will remain critical to accelerating the shift to low-carbon maritime logistics.