Rheinmetall and Swiss container shipping group MSC have won the auction for the Mangalia shipyard in Romania, with the partners planning to develop the site for both civilian and military shipbuilding.
The proposed acquisition carries a purchase price of approximately €138 million, which will be paid jointly by Rheinmetall and MSC.
Completion is expected within the coming weeks. Until the transaction closes, the acquisition remains subject to the necessary final procedures.
Partners plan dual-use shipbuilding site
The partners intend to establish a dual-use production facility at Mangalia, allowing civilian and military shipbuilding projects for Romanian and international customers to be undertaken at the same site.
The shipyard will be divided into separate operational sectors and security zones to accommodate the two areas of activity.
For Rheinmetall Naval Systems, Mangalia will support the construction of four naval vessels commissioned by the Romanian government. These comprise two 96-metre offshore patrol vessels and two 43-metre diver-support vessels.
Rheinmetall also intends to use the site as a hub for additional military shipbuilding programmes, creating capacity for future projects in Southeastern Europe.
“Following the acquisition, we plan to expand and upgrade the shipyard comprehensively. Our aim is to further develop the existing infrastructure, improve production conditions and adapt capacity to meet future requirements,” said Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division.
“This will enable the site in the long term to play a key role in the implementation of our strategic activities in Southeastern Europe and to strengthen our industrial presence in the region,” he added.
Rheinmetall has operated in Romania since 2024 through Rheinmetall Automecanica, based in Mediaș.
Mangalia is located on Romania’s Black Sea coast, south of Constanța. MSC’s participation will support the civilian shipbuilding component of the planned dual-use facility.
