Moldova considers extending railway directly to Giurgiulesti State Port

The State Enterprise Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM — Moldovan Railways) is considering extending the railway line directly into the territory of Giurgiulesti State Port. The project is currently under discussion, while no implementation timeline has yet been announced.

The proposed connection would enable cargo to be loaded and unloaded directly at the port, eliminating the need for intermediate road transport. CFM expects this to reduce logistics costs, accelerate cargo handling and improve the competitiveness of the port complex.

In parallel, a multifunctional logistics module is planned at Prut railway station. It would support cargo handling and transshipment operations while improving integration between rail and road infrastructure.

CFM has already completed several rehabilitation projects on the railway approaches to Giurgiulesti. These include the restoration of the section near Văleni, the reopening of the Prut–Fălciu connection with Romania, and repairs to trestle bridges at Cahul, Prut and Iargara stations.

According to the company, the railway section towards Giurgiulesti generated more than MDL 20 million in revenue over the past three months. This indicates existing demand for the route and its potential for further development.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research

Extending the railway directly to Giurgiulesti State Port could become an important step towards creating an integrated rail–river logistics hub on the Lower Danube. Eliminating intermediate road transport would reduce the number of cargo-handling operations, lower transport costs and shorten delivery times.

The project is also important from a regional perspective. Together with the development of Prut station and the restoration of the Prut–Fălciu connection, it could strengthen transport links between Moldova and Romania and create additional logistics opportunities for Ukrainian cargo owners. In the longer term, Giurgiulesti could play a more prominent role in routes connecting Ukraine and Moldova with Romanian Danube ports and the European Union’s internal market.

However, the economic impact will depend on more than the construction of the railway line itself. Sufficient port terminal capacity, coordinated tariff policies, efficient border and customs procedures, and cooperation among the railway operators of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine will also be required. Only the integrated development of the entire logistics system can transform Giurgiulesti into a fully operational regional multimodal hub.