Rheinmetall and MSC move to acquire Romanian shipyard

German defence and technology group Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC have secured the winning bid in an auction for the Mangalia shipyard in Romania, advancing plans to establish a production facility serving both commercial and military shipbuilding markets.

The shipyard, located south of Constanța on Romania’s Black Sea coast, is expected to be acquired for approximately €138 million, with the purchase price to be paid jointly by the two partners.

According to the announcement, the transaction is expected to be finalised within the coming weeks. Until completion, the acquisition remains pending.

Mangalia shipyard planned as dual-use facility

Rheinmetall and MSC intend to develop Mangalia into a dual-use shipbuilding site, allowing commercial and military vessel construction activities to operate in parallel.

The facility is expected to be divided into separate operational sectors and security zones to accommodate the requirements of the two activities.

Following the acquisition, Rheinmetall plans to modernise and expand the shipyard’s existing infrastructure, improve production conditions and adapt capacity to future requirements.

The companies have not disclosed a detailed investment budget for the proposed upgrades or a timetable for completing the redevelopment.

Romanian naval programme forms part of plans

For Rheinmetall Naval Systems, the Mangalia facility is expected to support the construction of four naval vessels commissioned by the Romanian government.

The programme includes two offshore patrol vessels measuring 96 metres in length and two diver support vessels measuring 43 metres.

Rheinmetall also intends to use the shipyard as a base for additional military shipbuilding projects in southeastern Europe.

Tim Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division, said the company plans to upgrade the facility following the acquisition, with the objective of improving production capabilities and supporting future projects in the region.

Rheinmetall expands its industrial presence in Romania

The proposed acquisition would further expand Rheinmetall’s industrial activities in Romania, where the company has operated through Rheinmetall Automecanica in Mediaș since 2024.

For MSC, the project would provide participation in a shipbuilding facility intended to accommodate commercial vessel construction alongside Rheinmetall’s naval activities.

The announcement does not specify the ownership percentages that Rheinmetall and MSC would hold in the shipyard or the allocation of commercial production capacity between the partners.

The planned transaction remains subject to finalisation, while the proposed expansion and modernisation activities would follow completion of the acquisition.