Romanian Minister Darău seeks SAFE programme support for Mangalia shipyard

Economy Minister Irineu Darău said the Mangalia shipyard could become a beneficiary of the EU‑backed SAFE programme, which aims to localise production. He met representatives of the Free Naval Union to discuss legal and financial steps that would protect jobs, keep the yard operational and enable it to receive a contract worth around €1 billion for four patrol vessels with German defence firm Rheinmetall.

The government will continue dialogue with all parties, clarifying institutional mandates and legal frameworks while respecting bankruptcy procedures. The state holds a 51 % stake in the shipyard, with Dutch company Damen owning the remaining 49 %.

Darău emphasised that the state is moving from a passive observer to an active catalyst in finding pragmatic solutions for the yard’s future.