The German armaments company is considering taking over the insolvent Mangalia shipyard in Romania. The project is of “strategic importance”. Also on board: the Swiss shipping company MSC.
The Mangalia shipyard on the Black Sea is to be extensively modernized. Romania is planning to use the site to build naval vessels and thus upgrade its own fleet. Talks are currently underway with the German armaments company Rheinmetall to initiate a takeover of the insolvent shipbuilding company.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is also part of the plan. The company had already expressed interest in the site last year in order to build cruise and RoPax ships there.
A takeover of the shipyard would “open up positive future prospects for the Romanian shipbuilding and defense industry and mark the beginning of a new era,” Rheinmetall announced. Together with MSC, the company is considering “making substantial investments in the site”. The Mangalia shipyard is to be used as a center for civil and military shipbuilding in the future. For the NATO state of Romania, this step represents not only an investment in its own resilience and security, but also a commitment to the defense alliance.
According to an assessment by Rheinmetall, the resumption of operations will have a positive impact on the region and contribute to the stability and development of the economy. “The entire district of Constanța and the city of Mangalia could benefit from increased revenues from local taxes and levies as well as a significant contribution to the state budget,” it says.
In the long term, it is possible that several thousand people could find work at the shipyard. Rheinmetall has already brought a dual training system into play in order to qualify the workforce. Another idea is the establishment of a competence and research center. Both could encourage young people to stay in Romania and build a future there.
Rheinmetall is currently on a growth path: the company recently took over the naval shipbuilder NVL from Lürssen.
Four naval vessels to be built
Rheinmetall is currently planning to build four planned ships for the Naval Systems division at the Mangalia shipyard. As reported by Romanian news portals, the armament programme includes two patrol vessels and two specialized ships for diving units. The deal amounts to around €1 billion and construction is to take place directly in Mangalia.
According to Rheinmetall, however, the resumption of operations will go beyond the project. “The aim is to develop Romania into a major European production location for shipbuilding. In this context, Rheinmetall would like to attract further European and global projects to Romania and thus strengthen its position in the defense and shipbuilding industry,” the company announced.
The Mangalia shipyard was founded in 1997 as a joint venture between the Korean company Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and the Romanian 2 Mai Shipyard. In July 2018, Damen Shipyards from the Netherlands took over and operated the shipyard together with the Romanian government, with the state remaining the majority owner with 51%. In June 2024, the company filed for bankruptcy.
