UN/LOCODE: ROBRA📍 Romania
Port of Braila (UN/LOCODE ROBRA)
❖ Coordinates: 45.2700°N, 27.9800°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Bucharest
❖ UN/LOCODE: ROBRA
## About the Port
Located on the southern banks of the Danube River, the Port of **Braila** (UN/LOCODE: **ROBRA**) serves as a pivotal inland waterway hub for Romania and the broader Black Sea region. Situated at **45.27° N, 27.98° E** within the Braila County, the port operates on **Europe/Bucharest** time (UTC+2/UTC+3 DST). Its strategic position at the confluence of the Danube’s lower navigation zone and the Romanian national railway grid enables seamless intermodal transfers between river, rail, and road transport.
The port is administered by **Compania Națională „Porturile Dunării” (CND)**, a state-owned entity responsible for the development, maintenance, and commercial operation of Romania’s Danube ports. As part of the EU’s TEN‑T (Trans-European Transport Network) corridors, Braila functions as a key node in **Corridor IV**, linking Central Europe to the Black Sea via the Danube‑Danube Canal system.
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## History
### Early Development (19th century)
Braila’s maritime origins trace back to the early 1800s when the Ottoman‑ruled principality of Wallachia recognized the Danube’s commercial potential. A modest customs post and grain depot were established to accommodate the growing export of wheat, sunflower oil, and timber from the surrounding agricultural plain.
### Austro‑Hungarian Influence (Late 19th century)
Following the 1878 Congress of Berlin, Braila entered a period of rapid modernization under Austro‑Hungarian engineering expertise. The first modern quay was constructed in 1885, featuring a **500 m** stone embankment and steam‑powered cranes capable of handling up to **8 ton** loads. This infrastructure attracted foreign investors, particularly from Austria-Hungary and the United Kingdom, and positioned Braila as a gateway for European wheat markets.
### Communist Era (1947–1989)
During Romania’s socialist period, the port underwent extensive expansion to support the centrally planned economy. Bulk handling facilities for coal, iron ore, and chemical products were added, alongside a **rail‑to‑river intermodal terminal** that could accommodate **30 km** of parallel tracks. By the late 1980s, Braila handled an annual cargo volume of roughly **5 million tonnes**, predominantly bulk commodities.
### Post‑Communist Revitalization (1990s–Present)
The 1990s brought privatization and a shift toward containerized cargo. In 1999, CND launched a **public‑private partnership** to modernize the container terminal, introducing **Roll‑on/Roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** capabilities and automated gate systems. Since 2005, the port has pursued EU‑funded projects to upgrade its navigation aids, dredge the approach channel to a **draft of 4.5 m**, and implement environmental standards compliant with the **EU Water Framework Directive**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Notes |
|----------|----------------|-------------------|
| **River Quay** | 2,300 m total length; 8 berths (4 × 30 m, 4 × 50 m) | Supports bulk cargo, general cargo, and Ro‑Ro vessels up to **6,000 gt** |
| **Container Terminal** | 1,200 m² yard; 2 gantry cranes (30 t each) | Handles **TEU** traffic up to **350,000 TEU / year**; equipped with **STI (Ship‑to‑Inland)** handling systems |
| **Bulk Handling** | 3 conveyor belts (max 1,200 t/h); 2 grain elevators (capacity 30,000 t) | Primary commodities: cereals, fertilizers, coal |
| **Ro‑Ro Facility** | 2 ramps (15 m × 30 m); 4 parking bays | Enables loading/unloading of trucks, trailers, and railway wagons |
| **Rail Connectivity** | Direct link to CFR Line 601; 6 km of sidings | Capable of moving **8 000 t** per train; integrates with the Pan‑European Corridor IV |
| **Road Access** | Connection to DN2A (European route E60) | Supports 24‑hour truck traffic; adjacent logistics park provides warehousing up to **120,000 m²** |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Integrated CND customs hall; 2 × phytosanitary labs | Streamlined procedures under EU customs code (UCC) |
The port’s **navigation channel** is dredged to a **depth of 4.5 m** and maintained at a **width of 80 m**, allowing the safe passage of **Vessel Classes III–IV** (up to 3,500 gt). Modern **VAS (Vessel Arrival System)** equipment and AIS (Automatic Identification System) receivers provide real‑time traffic monitoring, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Trade Engine
Braila’s hinterland encompasses the **Bărăgan Plain**, one of Romania’s most productive agricultural zones. The port facilitates the export of **cereals, sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils**, accounting for roughly **45 %** of the region’s total outbound freight. Meanwhile, imports of **fertilizers, machinery, and construction materials** support local agribusiness and infrastructure development.
### Employment & Revenue
In 2023, the port directly employed **≈ 1,200** personnel across stevedoring, logistics, and administration, while indirect jobs in ancillary services (e.g., trucking, customs brokerage) exceed **4,500**. Annual port revenues, driven by handling fees, storage, and ancillary services, are estimated at **€85 million**, contributing significantly to Braila County’s GDP (≈ 2.3 % of the county’s total).
### EU Integration & Funding
As part of the **Danube–Moldova Intermodal Corridor**, Braila benefits from EU Cohesion Fund allocations aimed at upgrading inland waterway infrastructure. Recent projects financed under **EU 2021‑2027** have focused on **environmental mitigation**, including the installation of **double‑walled fuel tanks** and **shore‑side wastewater treatment**, aligning the port with the **IMO 2020 sulphur cap** and EU emissions standards.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Mode | Typical Vessel Types | Frequency |
|--------------------|------|----------------------|-----------|
| **Constanța, Romania** | River‑to‑Sea | Push‑tows, barges (3,000 gt) | Daily |
| **Budapest, Hungary** | River | Roro barges, bulk carriers | 4–6 per week |
| **Vienna, Austria** (via Danube) | River | Container barges (up to 1,200 t) | 2–3 per week |
| **Stavropol, Russia** (via Black Sea) | Sea | Handymax (≈ 50,000 gt) | 1–2 per month |
| **Greece (Piraeus)** | Sea‑to‑River | Ro‑Ro vessels (≈ 4,000 gt) | Weekly |
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Grain & Feedstock** – Wheat, corn, barley, and sunflower seeds constitute the bulk of outbound cargo, typically shipped in **bulk carriers** or **grain barges**. Annual throughput exceeds **1.2 million t**.
- **Vegetable Oils** – Refined sunflower and rapeseed oil are exported in **tank barges** and **Ro‑Ro trucks**, with an annual volume of **≈ 150,000 t**.
- **Fertilizers** – Imports of nitrogen‑based fertilizers arrive mainly via **dry bulk carriers**, feeding the intensive agronomy of the Bărăgan Plain.
- **Containerized Goods** – Finished consumer products, automotive parts, and electronics dominate the **container flow**, primarily from the **Black Sea** and **Mediterranean ports**.
- **Construction Materials** – Cement, steel girders, and prefabricated concrete elements are handled through the **Ro‑Ro terminals**, supporting regional infrastructure projects.
### Emerging Markets
The port is actively courting **Asian bulk exporters**, leveraging its EU‑compliant facilities to serve the growing demand for Romanian agricultural imports. Additionally, **logistics firms** are developing **cold‑chain capabilities** to handle perishable goods (e.g., frozen fish from the Black Sea), positioning Braila as a potential hub for **food‑grade supply chains**.
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*For further technical details on Danube navigation standards and port performance metrics, consult the European Commission’s **[Transport and Energy]** portal and the Romanian Ministry of Transport’s **[Port Infrastructure]** database.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ROBRA
Country
Romania
Province / Region
Braila
Latitude
45.270000
Longitude
27.980000
Timezone
Europe/Bucharest
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Braila?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Braila is ROBRA.
Where is Port of Braila located?
The Port of Braila is located in Romania, Braila. Its coordinates are 45.2700°N, 27.9800°E.
What time zone is Port of Braila in?
Port of Braila operates in the Europe/Bucharest time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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