Rheinmetall and MSC plan civilian and military production at Mangalia
Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC have won the auction for Romania’s Mangalia shipyard with a joint purchase price of about 138 million euros. They plan parallel civilian and military production at the Black Sea site. Rheinmetall expects completion within weeks and intends to use the yard for four vessels already ordered by Romania, alongside subsequent expansion and modernisation.
Economics & Markets··Night
Partners prepare a joint shipyard purchase
On 19 October, German defence group Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC plan to acquire Romania’s Mangalia shipyard for approximately 138 million euros. Their bid won the auction, and the partners will pay the purchase price jointly. Rheinmetall said the transaction could be completed within a few weeks, before redevelopment.[1], [2]
The yard lies south of Constanța on Romania’s Black Sea coast. The buyers intend it to serve domestic and international markets, with civilian and military shipbuilding developed in parallel. Their plan calls for dividing the site into sectors and security zones.[1]
Romanian vessel orders feature in the plan
Rheinmetall Naval Systems, the group’s naval business, intends to give Mangalia an important role in building 4 vessels already commissioned by the Romanian government. The orders comprise 2 offshore patrol vessels measuring 96 metres and 2 diver support vessels measuring 43 metres.[1]
The partners also envisage using the yard as a hub for subsequent military shipbuilding projects in southeastern Europe. That proposed role accompanies the Romanian vessel orders and the civilian work planned for the site.[1]
Expansion and modernisation would follow acquisition
Naval Systems chief executive Tim Wagner said the partners plan comprehensive expansion and modernisation after the acquisition. The work would develop existing infrastructure, improve production conditions and adapt capacity to future requirements.[1]
Wagner linked the programme to strengthening Rheinmetall’s industrial presence in southeastern Europe. The Düsseldorf-based group has operated in Romania through Rheinmetall Automecanica in Mediaș, a Romanian city, since 2024.[1]
