Romania: Schoenherr advises Trans-Oil Group on acquisition of Frial Terminal

Schoenherr provided buy-side legal advice in connection with the recently signed M&A transaction. Closing is expected to take place later in Q4 2024, subject to merger clearance.

"With this acquisition, Trans-Oil strengthens its strategic position in the Port of Constanța, the largest seaport in the Black Sea," said partner Mădălina Neagu, who led the Schoenherr team advising the buyer in this matter. "We are glad to have contributed to the signing of this deal, supporting Trans-Oil in reinforcing its role as a leading player in the agricultural commodities market."

Frial Terminal, which boasts a transshipment capacity of 1.5m tonnes of cereals and 500,000 tonnes of vegetable oil, becomes part of Trans-Oil's export terminals portfolio, which already includes terminals in Reni (Ukraine), Giurgiulesti (Republic of Moldova), Pancevo and Backa Palanka (Serbia). Trans-Oil Group has announced that it is contemplating a significant expansion of the storage capacities of Frial Terminal.

The Trans-Oil Group is a leading agribusiness operator in the Black Sea region, specialising in the production, processing, and trading of agricultural commodities. The group covers a wide range of activities, including oilseed crushing, grain handling and storage, international commodities trading, vegetable oil in bulk, bottled oil, and flour production. It owns and operates five oilseed crushing facilities and 46 storage facilities in the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Serbia.

Frial is a seaport terminal operator active in the Port of Constanța, Romania. It provides vessel and terminal operations for general goods and liquid products, as well as storage solutions both in covered spaces and uncovered areas with a total storage capacity of over 70,000 tonnes.

The Schoenherr team advising Trans-Oil Group in this transaction was led by Mădălina Neagu (partner) and included Mihaela Popescu (managing attorney at law), Andrei Mureșan (managing attorney at law) and Mădălina Mitan (partner).