Comvex

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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