The Port of Constanța

The Port of Constanța is located in Constanța, Romania, on the western coast of the Black Sea, It
covers 3,926 ha, of which 1,313 ha is land and the rest, 2,613 ha is water. The two breakwaters
located northwards and southwards shelter the port, creating the safest conditions for port activities.
The Port of Constanța is the largest on the Black Sea and the 17 th largest in Europe.
The favourable geographical position and the importance of the Port of Constanța is emphasized by
the connection with two Pan-European transport corridors: Corridor VII – Danube (inland
waterway) and Corridor IV (railway).

The history of the port is closely related to the history of Constanța. Although Constanța was
founded in the 2nd century AD, but the old Greek colony of Tomis was founded in the 6th century
BC. The port-city was organised as an emporium to ease the trade between the Greeks and the local
peoples. The Greek influence is maintained until the 1st century BC, when the territory between the
Danube and the Black Sea was occupied by the Romans. The first years of Roman governorate were
recorded by Ovid, who was exiled to Tomis for unknown reasons. In the next hundred years the port
had a substantial development and the city changes its name to Constanța in honour of the Roman
Emperor Constantine I.