CPBA : Port of Constanta sees economic potential and pressure due to armed conflict in Ukraine

 The armed conflict in Ukraine has generated an economic potential, but also a pressure on the port of Constanta, so that development and modernisation have become imperative, say representatives of Constanta Port Business Association (CPBA) employers' organisation.According to a press release sent on Monday, the CPBA proposals for reducing the blockade in the Black Sea area have offered "valid solutions, implemented by the authorities, which have responded to the needs of increasing operating capacity and efficiency in services."Thus, in 2024 CPBA aims to continue its mission of increasing the competitiveness of the port of Constanta, strengthening partnerships and dynamically adapting to changes in the geopolitical and economic context."Since 2022 CPBA has submitted to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure a project to increase operating capacity, requesting approval of a state aid scheme for investments in port superstructure," the press release mentions.According to the quoted source, in 2023, through resilience and synergic interaction with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) and the EC, CPBA sped up access to European non-reimbursable funds and the submission of private projects under the 2021-2027 Transport Programme."These resources will be directed towards the development of port infrastructure and superstructure, with a significant impact on the operating capacity and efficiency of port services," the press release also points out.The CPBA has also continuously submitted proposals to governmental and port authorities and the European Commission to optimise processes and eliminate traffic bottlenecks in order to adapt to the record growth in cargo handling capacity this year."In response, the year 2023 brought the implementation by the authorities of the proposals to reorganise the berthing and port handling areas for river vessels (relocation of the waiting berth to the Cernavoda area), modernisation of road traffic through digitisation and simplification of processes in the maritime and river transport chain," say the organisation's representatives.However, CPBA representatives maintain that 2023 was a special year, "focusing on strategic initiatives for port development and strengthening the position of the port of Constanta at international level.""CPBA has been a determining force in the evolution of the Port of Constansea in 2023, acting in a complex geopolitical context with attention, flexibility and competence in the shipping area," the press release said.Thus, through the strong cohesion among members and the effective collaboration with European authorities and bodies (the European Commission and the Danube Commission), CPBA has managed to respond to regional and international geopolitical and economic challenges, contributing to the development of the port of Constanta and increasing its competitiveness.The CPBA strengthened the position of the port in 2023, being active in major strategic projects, such as port development and modernisation, international promotion through the organisation of the Caspian - Black Sea Forum and in consultation and legislative negotiation actions that are of interest to the activity and the good functioning of economic agents and the port industry in general.On the other hand, the CPBA has played a prominent role in digitising and streamlining operations, contributing to the optimisation of road traffic and the simplification of customs procedures in the transit of goods."At the proposal of the CPBA, the port administrative authority has successfully implemented a solution for managing and automating access and monitoring of road transport means, solving the pressing problem of traffic jams in the port perimeter. CPBA is actively involved in the Port Community System, a project of administration digitisation, a necessity for modernisation in order to improve the efficiency of the services in the port of Constanta, which the organisation has continuously signaled. The participation in the Steering Committee contributes to drafting the necessary specifications for the design of this integral information system," the press release also reads.In April, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Romania, the CPBA organised for the first time the Caspian - Black Sea Forum. The event initiated interaction with the Central Asian and South Caucasus states and highlighted the potential of the port of Constanta within the global community, in the transport of goods on the Middle Corridor, the route linking Asia to Europe via Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea."CPBA continues its efforts to achieve its goal of promoting opportunities and attracting new cargo flows through the port of Constanta. Participation in the international event Tbilisi Silk Road Forum in Georgia was a new opportunity to promote and develop global collaboration in the area of multimodal logistics and strengthened the presence of the Port of Constanta and CPBA in the international community," say the representatives of the organisation.