First oil tanker arrives at Giurgiulesti International Free Port

The first oil tanker, carrying roughly 4 thousand tons of petrol and diesel oil, arrived at the Free Port of Giurgulesti on Wednesday, September 12. Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev stated at a Government meeting that thanks to imports of petroleum products via maritime routes fuel prices are likely to fall, as transportation costs in this case are fourfold lower than in the case of road transport. According to him, at this stage, the port can receive vessels with a total capacity of about 10 thousand metric tons. It is expected that this figure will double in the future. The 4 thousand tons of petrol and diesel fuel can cover the demand of the entire country for almost three days. This amount of fuel could be carried by no less than 150 trucks or 60 tank wagons. The imported gasoline and diesel originates from Petromidia refinery in Romania. The International Free Port of Giurgulesti was put into use at the end of last year, with the total amount of investments reaching about 30 million US dollars. Vasile Tarlev says initially the Free Port was supposed to start operating by the end of 2008, but the Government stepped up the works on these facilities due to the vulnerability of the national security. He requested the Ministry of Economy and Trade to make sure that the Port for cargo and passengers becomes operational by the end of 2008. Also by the end of 2008, the Ministry of Transport and Road Management is to put into use the Giurgiulesti-Cahul railroad track and to launch the project for building Giurgiulesti-Criva freeway.