Romania reportedly weighs full takeover of Damen Mangalia shipyard for military production

The Romanian government is preparing a potential full takeover of the Damen Mangalia shipyard (where it already holds 51%), with plans to convert it into a military production facility financed through the EU’s SAFE mechanism and potentially involving German defence group Rheinmetall, according to Bursa.ro. Damen Mangalia was previously managed by Damen group (49%), which pulled out, putting financial strains on the Black Sea shipyard.

The move is inferred from both a new legislative framework under preparation and increasingly explicit statements from defence minister Radu Miruță, pointing to state intervention in a strategic but financially troubled asset.