Romania enhances Black Sea maritime security and emergency response

Romania is enhancing its maritime security and emergency response capabilities in the Black Sea through new vessel commissioning and port protection upgrades. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) has officially welcomed the MAI 0101, a multi-role Damen Stan Patrol 5009 vessel, into service at the Port of Constanța. Built by Damen Shipyards Galati, the vessel is designed for firefighting, search and rescue, and emergency medical assistance, including SMURD capabilities. It can evacuate up to 50 people and is equipped to handle fires on offshore energy infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the Romanian Naval Forces have begun installing a surveillance protection system at the Constanta Military Port. This system, part of the Maritime Domain Awareness programme developed with the US Navy, utilizes sensors to detect surface, airborne, and underwater threats, including maritime drones and drifting mines. Vice Admiral Mihai Panait noted that similar systems are being deployed or transferred to the Braila, Mangalia, and Tulcea military ports to bolster regional maritime awareness.