Abu Dhabi-based port and terminal operator AD Ports Group signed an agreement with the National Company Maritime Ports Administration, which manages the port of Constanta in Romania. The deal aims at exploring “strategic investment and development opportunities in the Black Sea’s largest port”, AD Ports said.
The document creates the basis for cooperation on greenfield and brownfield port development, digital solutions, renewable energy and more. This is part of AD Ports’ investment plan for the development of traffic along the Middle Corridor. Constanta is in fact the largest port on the Black Sea, which is the entry point into Europe for this multimodal route.
Over the past few years, AD Ports has given a significant boost to its presence in the Middle Corridor, but mostly on the non-European side of it. For example, the company established a joint venture with Kazakhstan Railways, called GulfLink, which has been operational since last year. Moreover, it became the majority shareholder of the Tbilisi Dry Port, the main intermodal facility in Georgia.
Europe keeps watching
This is another example of non-European interest in the Middle Corridor. China and the Arab World seem to have a different perception of this trade route. They invested, and continue to do so, to upgrade the infrastructure, create seamless connections and build warehouses and terminals, now even in European territory. European countries, on the other hand, are not as committed, as Dr. Irina Briman recently highlighted in an exclusive interview with RailFreight.com, and might miss out on a great opportunity.