Urgent Plans to Revitalize Mangalia Shipyard
Romania’s Defence Minister Radu Miruță has announced a bold initiative to rescue the struggling Mangalia Shipyard by integrating it into military shipbuilding projects funded through the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. The proposal includes a substantial EUR 700 million contract for the construction of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). However, industry experts express skepticism about the shipyard’s capability to meet the tight deadline for delivery.
Challenges Facing Mangalia Shipyard
Minister Miruță emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The Mangalia Shipyard can only be saved if it produces such ships in the immediate future.” Despite this optimistic outlook, sources within the defense sector have raised concerns regarding the shipyard’s ability to fulfill the contract requirements. According to naval industry experts, awarding the construction contract for the two military vessels to Mangalia would likely hinder timely completion, with the 2030 deadline appearing increasingly unattainable.
The Mangalia Shipyard is primarily owned by the Romanian state, which holds a 51% stake, while the remaining 49% is owned by the Dutch company Damen. Damen also operates a shipyard in Galați, where it has successfully produced over 30 military vessels for various NATO and EU nations, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada. Notably, however, none of these ships have been constructed for the Romanian Army.
Experts in the naval industry have pointed out that, aside from the Galați facility, no other shipyard in Romania possesses the capability to deliver OPVs by the 2030 deadline. “Mangalia is not an efficient shipyard. The smaller ones, in Tulcea or Galați, are much more efficient,” stated a knowledgeable source. This raises significant questions about the feasibility of the proposed plans to revitalize Mangalia and its role in Romania’s military shipbuilding future.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on whether the Mangalia Shipyard can overcome these challenges and play a vital role in Romania’s defense capabilities.
