Claudiu Negreanu General Director of DP World Novi Sad – Novi Sad is our anchor in the Western Balkans

DPW the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

Claudiu Negreanu General Director of DP World Novi Sad

We deliver these services through an interconnected global network of 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets. Wherever we operate, we integrate sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship into our activities, striving for a positive contribution to the economies and communities where we live and work.

Our dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 53,360 employees from 137 nationalities are committed to delivering unrivalled value to our customers and partners. We do this by focusing on mutually beneficial relationships – with governments, shippers, traders, and other stakeholders along the global supply chain – relationships built on a foundation of mutual trust and enduring partnership.

The Company, led by H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, initiated its operations in Serbia by acquiring the Port of Novi Sad in September 2019. The position of this port on the river Danube and it’s continued importance in the transportation of agricultural produce from Serbia to other parts of the Europe, made it a very strategic acquisition for DP World and it remains a key market that DP World will continue to invest in.

General Manager of DP World Novi Sad JSC Mr. Claudiu Negreanu has one vision only: to make the company he is managing a leader in Serbia, just like it has a leading position in multiple countries across the world.

The arrival of DP World in Serbia by acquiring the Port of Novi Sad was a natural developing process within the global vision of the Company. We have identified all the potentials of this port which will, I am sure, create even more opportunities for our company both locally and globally.

Through this acquisition we have connected two enormous and valuable things, the river Danube – one of the largest and most efficient waterways in Europe – and Novi Sad – the center of Vojvodina, the leader in agriculture in Serbia.

Serbia as a country has huge potential for investment. More specifically in this industry, implementing an ambitious port development and logistics program represents an excellent opportunity. Through our knowledge, experience, organization and commitment I have no doubt we will turn Port of Novi Sad into a central port on the river Danube.


The arrival of DP World in Serbia by acquiring the Port of Novi Sad was a natural developing process within the global vision of the Company

What is necessary to do to position DP World Novi Sad as a key regional stakeholder on the Western Balkans?

– The key word is investment. Without investing there is no development, no new job positions, and no progress. We have already launched a large investment cycle during which we are to invest 35 million Euro in DP World Novi Sad. We have committed to do so by entering into the Purchase Agreement with the Republic of Serbia.

The other word that is also very important for us is commitment. Commitment to our staff, the people we work with and the places we operate in. People make a company, just as people make the city we work in and the surrounding we all live in.

Our planned investments and our commitment to people will prove Novi Sad and Serbia to be the anchor of DP World in the Western Balkans.

We have overcome the first year of Corona pandemic. How has the company overcome all the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic?

– Of course, it has not been easy for us, especially as it was our first year in this market, but there is no business unaffected by the pandemic, whether that’s in terms of business operations, employee wellbeing or its place in the wider community. 2020 was obviously an incredibly challenging year, but it was also an opportunity to prove ourselves and demonstrate the strength of our company and our people.

I shall not speak about what the virus has done to the world economy as it is well known. However, despite all the challenges, DP World Novi Sad operated at a very satisfactory level.

As we have only just started operating in Serbia we will not make comparison to previous years, but thanks to excellent organization and commitment of all the employees, we had around 1.6 million tons of handled goods in 2020.

Even during 2020 we have managed to show that DP World Novi Sad is one of key players among port operators in Serbia and Novi Sad is the main port for all loads coming from or transported to Vojvodina.

Vojvodina is the major part of Serbia for the production of crops, which creates great opportunities for port operations. We wish to invest in various instruments, which will allow us to diversify of our services portfolio and expand our impact in the region.


DP World is going to invest around 35mil Euro in the Port of Novi Sad during the investment cycle

You have been talking about commitment, and what are the investments DP World Novi Sad plans to make and which are those it has already started?

– We committed to this investment from the start and we stand by that commitment.  We believe there is no better proof of our belief in the business operations in Serbia and its future.

More specifically, we have invested in equipment and other superstructures of the Port and a new mobile crane is to be installed soon, which shall have a central location in the port which is going to be a new port symbol. We have invested in the purchase of packaging machine designed for packing of fertilizers, two electrical forklifts and other equipment, which will allow us to improve our proposition and offer our customers even greater services.

We are also investing in the development of infrastructure in the Port of Novi Sad – expanding the quay by 184 meters, creating a silo for crops and a building a new general loads platform and store for containers. These investments will help make Port of Novi Sad one of the most important ports on the river Danube.

DP World, as a responsible and sustainable company, also invests in the local community it operates in. Novi Sad is our city, it is my city too, and that is why I am most proud of the investment which the citizens of Novi Sad are going to benefit from most.

It is the reconstruction of the passenger terminal in Novi Sad on the river Danube, where we have invested 400.000 Euro. We expect the works on this terminal to be completed by the end of March when we will be able to hand the City of Novi Sad a new, modern and functional passenger terminal which will attract more tourists to boost the local economy.

As one of the largest world companies in the port operations area, which logistics solutions you offer to your users and what new services you plan to introduce?

– Today, we offer our customers transshipment, the storing of goods and the packing of mineral fertilizers. Of course, we always want to evolve by identifying market needs and we are looking to expand our services by offering the maneuver barges, customs bonds, the use of customs warehouses and other possibilities to store goods in the Port. We actively search for other new possibilities for expanding the service portfolio for our clients.

How would you assess the entire market related to water-resistant goods when it comes to Serbia and this Region?

– The capacity of the river Danube as a transportation corridor in Europe is to be still used to its full potential as it’s the second largest river in Europe by its length and volume. Historical reasons prevented the river Danube from being developed to the level of similar rivers used for transport in Western Europe. This is why we believe there is now vast potential here.

During the last years there is a lot more interest expressed in the river transport due to its advantages when we speak about economic parameters, but also when we speak about environmental issues and decrease of CO2 emission.

No module of transport can ensure such possibilities of transportation of various types of goods. Adding the dominant geographical positioning of Novi Sad to the river Danube, we have a unique opportunity for all production industries and trading communities.


We shall employ more people

What are the plans of DP World Novi Sad regarding employment, do you expect to decrease the number of employees like some companies have already announced?

– We will need more people to attain our plans. DP World Novi Sad currently employs 150 people. Of course, due to the increased volume of work and investments, we plan to increase the number of employees, with new employees being recruited and becoming the part of DPWNS in near future.


 

About DP World

We are the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

We deliver these services through an interconnected global network of 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets. Wherever we operate, we integrate sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship into our activities, striving for a positive contribution to the economies and communities where we live and work.

Our dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 53,360 employees from 137 nationalities are committed to delivering unrivalled value to our customers and partners. We do this by focusing on mutually beneficial relationships – with governments, shippers, traders, and other stakeholders along the global supply chain – relationships built on a foundation of mutual trust and enduring partnership.

We think ahead, anticipate change and deploy industry-leading digital technology to further broaden our vision to disrupt world trade and create the smartest, most efficient and innovative solutions, while ensuring a positive and sustainable impact on economies, societies and our planet.

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