COMVEX
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COMVEX
I PROFILE
COMVEX SA was incorporated in 1991, as the largest bulk raw material handling terminal in the Black Sea area. The company is the market leader in the handling, storing and trans-shipment of dry bulk minerals such as iron ore, coal, coke and bauxite. General Director Viorel Panait explained more to Hannah Barnett.
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stablished in a time of flux, COMVEX has continued to evolve over its 30 years of operation.
“In 1991, the company was 25 per cent
of the size it is today,” said Viorel Panait, General Director. “As a former communist country, there was a lot of change in
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Romania at the time. We had to cope with
in the Port of Constanța, covers a
the creation of a new market for minerals
700,386 square metre area and main-
in the first ten years, followed by the
tains a discharge line at the maritime
growth of automation. Today, we are in
quay that is five berths long.
the fourth generation of automation and
The terminal benefits geographically from
have digitalised the whole process. Plus,
being located within close vicinity to the
we have added much more to our infras-
east end of the Danube-Black Sea Canal,
tructure, like a rail connection for the back
meaning it is also able to serve as a Danube
loading facilities.”
River port. This location also offers excellent access
Fantastic facilities
potential to industrial areas in Europe.
COMVEX is the only terminal operating in
COMVEX provides international customers,
solid bulk goods in the Black Sea area with
such as major bulk raw material suppliers in
the capacity to cater for capesize vessels
Australia, Brazil, India, Africa, the USA and
up to 220,000 DWT. The terminal, based
Canada, with the ability to make deliveries
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COMVEX
I PROFILE
to industrial plants in Romania, Hungary,
cargo into freight wagons for land transport
Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Serbia.
via the railway terminal, which has a loading
Alongside the existing minerals terminal, COMVEX operates a grain terminal covering
capacity of 20,000 tonnes per day. The company has a healthy profitability
approximately 60,000 square metres.
ratio in the range of 38 to 43% and is listed
The company provides grain producers in
on the Dow Jones stock exchange.
Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria the possibility to deliver to large capacity ships,
Responding to events
between 100,000 -120,000 DWT.
A significant recent development at
The storage space covers an area of
COMVEX has involved responding to the
600,000 square metres, of which 155,996
logistical changes brought by the war in
square metres are located along the
Ukraine. “The conflict has opened an area
maritime quay. The wharf for loading is
separate from our hinterland,” Mr Panait
formed of three berths with a total length
explained. “We have traditionally served
of 600 metres and water depth between
Romania, Hungary, Austria, Serbia and
6.6 to 7 metres.
Bulgaria. With the war in Ukraine, we have
The loading equipment is formed of three
begun to handle goods for a country twice
machines which fill barges at an average of
the size of France, which has been
2,000 tonnes per hour. COMVEX also loads
a challenge.”
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The company had to adapt to handling
quick decisions. We had to adapt ourselves
grain as well as other cargoes, such as
to a country that we did not have a previous
iron ore, for major producers from Ukraine.
logistical relationship with. We did not know
COMVEX quickly developed a new terminal
the geography, we did not understand the
that could handle up to 110,000 DWT of
economy or the language. All that needed
grain with a capacity to load 70,000
to be considered before we decided to help
tonnes per day and receive almost the
to cover the gap.”
same amount. The company was supported in sourcing equipment from AGI
The future
Canada and derived its automation soft-
Alongside this significant investment,
ware from Siemens.
the company is also working to develop
“We built the terminal in 136 days between
the capacity of its existing grain terminal
March and July of 2023,” said Mr Panait.
by 25%. This will make it the fastest and
“The new facility doubles our capacity to
most efficient grain terminal in Europe.
discharge barges coming from a Ukrainian
COMVEX is also investigating feasibility
port. The company is in a sound financial
studies to begin work on a new terminal
position, so we were able to take on this
for fertilisers, has extended dispatches to
project successfully.
and from steel mills, and has updated its
“It was a race against the clock to com-
computers with state-of-the-art software.
plete it all in 136 days, but we did it. We are
In order to keep all its moving parts in
proud of the fact we have made these
operation, the company must maintain
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COMVEX
I PROFILE
a strong, close relationship with its sup-
“We consider our relationships with both
pliers. This is a sentiment COMVEX also
our clients and suppliers as partnerships,”
extends to customers.
Mr Panait explained. “When we started the grain terminal, we had to work closely with both to provide a very high load rate and allow for the possibility of catering to large vessels. So now we're enjoying the rewards, we must share them. That sort of strategic relationship is good business.” Looking ahead, COMVEX is set to continue the development of its extensive facilities and improve the efficiency of its railways and digital systems. For Mr Panait, reflecting on how far the company has come, there is much to be inspired by. “When we started, we were a group of young people in our thirties,” he concluded. “We were very enthusiastic, and there is
Comvex Director Viorel Panait
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a lot of power in youth. At the beginning,
that because it was a big achievement
there were financial difficulties and we
for our new agency. And we maintain
needed loans.
that spirit today. Encouraging people
“Then we took a risk and decided to go
to be creative is the key: would say
digital and created the first generation
that creativity is the spark in the engine
of automation. I am still very proud of
that drives young people.”
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