Port of Constanța, Romania’s largest sea terminal and one of the most important in the Black Sea region, accounted for over 96 percent of the total cargo throughput handled by Romanian maritime ports in 2024. Its position is being further reinforced by parallel infrastructure investments exceeding €250 million, including the expansion of quay areas, RO-RO and project cargo terminals, and modernisation of both rail and road access. The port’s importance has also increased following the shutdown of Ukraine’s Odesa port, which – as the biggest terminal in the Black Sea basin – used to play a key export and import role for Eastern Europe before the war. In the current geopolitical context, Constanța remains the only Black Sea port maintaining regular maritime connections with China, the European Union’s top import partner – though these are unfortunately indirect connections, requiring transhipment in other ports. In 2024 alone, Chinese exports to the EU exceeded €500 billion, with goods worth approximately €7.9 billion delivered to Romania, making China one of the country’s key import partners, alongside Germany and Italy.
This direction may be expected to gain even greater significance in the coming years. Trade policies introduced by the Trump administration have limited access for Chinese exporters to the U.S. market, which in turn increases the likelihood that China may shift its focus to Europe – both as an export destination and a location for new manufacturing and assembly operations. Central and Eastern Europe, with its available labour force, growing consumption, and improving logistics infrastructure, is a natural area of interest. Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania are being chosen as the most attractive markets in the region for nearshoring by global business. In this context, maritime gateways like Constanța are gaining strategic value as reliable entry points for supply chains from Asia.
Constanța as a regional gateway for trade
Today, the port serves a dual purpose, which at SUUS, we observe while managing our customers’ supply chains through this terminal. On the one hand, it acts as a gateway to global trade for the Romanian domestic market – a country that, over the past two decades, has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU, attracting substantial foreign investment, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors. Companies such as Dacia, Ford, Continental, and Bosch have significantly expanded their production operations, creating a solid industrial base and modern supply chains. In 2024, the automotive sector accounted for approximately 14 percent of Romania’s total exports, making it one of the key pillars of the national economy.
But that’s not all – It also serves as a logistics hub for the entire CEE and Balkan regions, with increasingly efficient access to countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Serbia. The port’s role has been further strengthened by Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, which has facilitated and accelerated goods movement deeper into the EU. Its location on the Danube also enables effective use of inland waterway transport – particularly valuable for project and industrial logistics involving oversized components. We have extensive experience in handling oversized cargo for the industrial sector, which we transport to the local market and Hungary, among others.
European-Chinese supply chain via Constanța
Recognising this growing potential of Constanța, at SUUS, we have launched a new regular less-than-container-load (LCL) service from Shanghai to Constanța, offering comprehensive handling of cargo from across mainland China with final delivery in Romania. The service includes weekly departures from Shanghai, consolidation in Chinese ports, ocean freight to Romania, deconsolidation in Bucharest, and nationwide distribution. A key operational advantage is that we maintain our own LCL console in Romania, enabling full control over cargo flows within a fully integrated logistics ecosystem.
However, our service offers more than just cargo transportation – it also includes comprehensive customs clearance, provided locally by our Romanian team. In a global environment shaped by geopolitical shifts and trade uncertainty—where tariffs, quotas, and procedures can determine the profitability of an entire operation—this holistic approach is essential. Customers benefit not only from reliable transport from Shanghai, but also from professional customs support: clearance, tariff consulting, VAT settlement, and full documentation preparation. This part of the service is what ensures the smoothness and efficiency of global supply chains.
By centralising these processes, we eliminate the need for multiple subcontractors and reduce the risk of delays caused by customs procedures. More importantly, we allow our clients to focus on their business. In today’s complex reality, this becomes a competitive advantage by delivering tangible cost savings and enhanced delivery reliability.
SUUS has been present in Romania for five years, providing end-to-end logistics support to our clients in the local market. By expanding our LCL offering from China to Europe via Constanța, we are strengthening our presence in both the local Romanian market and the South-Eastern European region. This new service not only helps companies maintain supply chain continuity but also enables them to operate in a more flexible and cost-effective model. For businesses seeking predictability and locally rooted operational support in the face of changing geopolitical and economic conditions, it provides a solution that allows them to respond effectively to emerging challenges and build a competitive edge.
Contributed by Dragos Boranda, Managing Director, Rohlig SUUS Logistics Romania
