Romanian Economy Minister Irineu Darău orders EU‑funded patrol ships built at Mangalia shipyard

Interim Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Irineu Darău reaffirmed that the four patrol vessels financed by the European Union's Security and Defence Fund (SAFE) must be constructed at the Mangalia Naval Shipyard in Romania. He stressed that the cooperation condition attached to the SAFE funding requires the ships to be produced locally, aiming to revive the insolvent shipyard, create new jobs and reduce reliance on foreign defence imports.

Darău noted that the government has secured a six‑month salary guarantee for the shipyard's workers while the bankruptcy process continues under a court‑appointed administrator, which limits state interference. He also reported that discussions with defence contractor Rheinmetall indicated strong interest in carrying out the project at Mangalia. The initiative is part of a broader Romanian strategy to strengthen its defence industry and support the local economy after years of decline and job losses at the shipyard.