The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, has filed an indictment with the Iași Court against four public officials from the Lower Danube River Administration (AFDJ Galați), along with an individual and a company. The indictment concerns the fraudulent procurement of two tugboats for the Lower Danube, a project that received about €7 million in EU funding under the 2014–2020 Large Infrastructure Operational Programme.
The tugboats were intended to assist vessels in distress on the Lower Danube and were equipped to operate even in icy conditions. However, the tender document’s technical specifications included requirements meant for seagoing vessels, even though the tugboats were intended solely for use on inland waterways. This discrepancy effectively restricted the pool of eligible bidders and favoured a specific company.
Upon delivery in 2021, the tugboats were found to be non-compliant with one contract stipulation, with a draft of 2.6 meters instead of the permitted 2 meters. This heavier draft significantly limits their operational capability on the designated routes, as the vessels enter the water deeper than anticipated.
The EPPO alleges that, despite these issues, the four public officials accepted the vessels and signed final acceptance reports that inaccurately indicated compliance with the technical specifications. Because of their increased draft, the tugboats can be safely used only when water levels are sufficiently high, which significantly limits their operational capacity during low-water periods. Additionally, both an individual and a company are accused of assisting in this alleged misconduct.
The EPPO has scrutinised this procurement matter since March 2024, when prosecutors conducted 12 searches across various public institutions, residences, and companies. The EPPO also notes that if the defendants are convicted, they may face prison sentences of three to ten and a half years. It adds that the individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian courts.
