Investing in Our Community and the Marine Environment in Constanța

DP World has been operating the Constanța South Container Terminal in Romania since 2004. It was the company’s first investment in Europe and, since then, we have invested over €250 million to develop the terminal from a container transshipment hub into the largest and most advanced deep-sea port in the Black Sea, supporting multimodal connections by road, rail and river.

We are very proud of our function as a strategic gateway connecting Europe to Asia and vice versa – and of the contribution this makes to economic development in Romania and the wider region.

This role also brings with it significant responsibility, particularly in Constanța, where we employ more than 500 people. Creating high-quality jobs and offering valuable career opportunities to local people is hugely important, but it is not enough. We are also committed to adding value to the local community by creating long-lasting social and environmental benefits.

Restoring Black Sea habitats 

This is the context in which we have launched a new initiative – the Black Sea habitat restoration project – that builds on the legacy we have built over the last 22 years in Romania. This five-year programme focuses on Cystoseira barbata (also known as Gongolaria barbata), a brown macroalga that supports a wide range of marine life along the Constanța coast. The species provides critical habitat for crustaceans, gastropods and other invertebrates, as well as a nursery area for juvenile fish. It supports carbon sequestration as well. 

Historically abundant along the Black Sea coast in Romania, populations of Cystoseira barbata have been significantly reduced in recent decades due to human activity and pollution. The project’s mission is to restore this species by identifying suitable restoration and nursery sites, then collecting and cultivating Cystoseira barbata zygotes directly in the marine environment. The cultivated algae will be planted in selected sites and closely monitored to ensure the long-term establishment and growth of restored populations.

Partnering for success 

It will be a genuine community effort. DP World is working with three main partners on the project:

• Mare Nostrum, a Constanța-based environmental NGO focused on marine conservation and education in the Black Sea region. Mare Nostrum will take the lead on project delivery.

• The Institute of Biology Bucharest, part of the Romanian Academy of Sciences. The Institute’s scientists will analyse sites suitable for restoration and assess the health of newly-restored populations. Their work will enhance our understanding of western Black Sea ecosystems and provide a replicable model for future marine restoration initiatives.

• The DARVIC association, also based in Constanța, which is providing expert divers experienced in marine biodiversity research. It will support the underwater operations and help the participating teams develop specialised skills in ecological restoration.

Engaging the local community 

In addition to the expertise that will be provided by these three organisations, the initiative will provide opportunities for people in Constanța – including DP World’s employees and their families – to volunteer and support the restoration activities. More details on this will follow in due course, but the engagement of the local community will be important as hands-on experience strengthens our connection to the local environment and empowers all of us to contribute meaningfully to sustainability objectives.

We will also be engaging the people of Constanța in other ways. #60deminuteinadancuri (“60 minutes underwater”) sessions will bring school children and residents closer to the marine environment, raising awareness of the ecological importance of species such as Cystoseira barbata and the role they play in maintaining coastal resilience. By involving schools and local people in this way, we aim to nurture a generation in Constanța that values and protects the Black Sea.

A long-term commitment

Looking ahead, DP World Constanța will continue to invest in projects that benefit both the environment and the community. As we celebrate 22 years in Romania, we are committed to ensuring that the next two decades are marked by similar success – creating jobs, enabling trade and protecting the natural resources that sustain us all. 

Initiatives such as the Black Sea habitat restoration project demonstrate that economic development and environmental responsibility can – and must – go hand in hand.