"Moreover, the total transaction activity in January-June period was intense, reaching approx. 153,000 sqm, the biggest level registered from the 1st semester of 2011 to present. The total transaction activity in Bucharest has totalized over 99,400 sqm in the first half of the year ", the company press release shows.

24 transactions were closed in the analyzed period, with an average area of 6,400 sqm.

"Bucharest registered the biggest share of the transactions, followed by Timişoara and Ploieşti. Although the Capital will continue to be the most active region regarding request and total transaction activity, we estimate that the Central and Western areas of the country will consolidate as attractive zones equally for tenants and developers ", has declared Marian Orzu, head of Industrial and Logistics department within CBRE Romania.

The request at the country level was over 44,000 sqm in the first six months of the year, with 42% increase compared the previous semester, though with 22% decrease compared to the first semester of 2012. Bucharest holds 40% of the national registered request, being followed by Timişoara (24%), Ploieşti (21%) and Braşov (13%). The request is dominated by leases in A category buildings, 90% of the transactions being signed for this type of warehouses.

Though, the modern logistic and warehouse stock remained at the same level as at the end of last year, 980,000 sqm, as no new deliveries were registered in the first six months of 2013. This stock is divided in 26 logistic parks, situated mostly around Bucharest, with an average rentable area of more than 37,000 sqm. There are also some projects developed outside Bucharest, by international and local compaies such as Graells&Llonch (Turda), VGP (Timişoara) or Tester (Iaşi).

"One of the most active sectors is the automotive, with operational factories in several areas of the country. For instance, in the district of Alba, new investments are registered, by companies such as Daimler AG, Bosch and VCST Automotive. Other similar investments are made by Leoni in Arad, by MGI Coutier in Timişoara, by Autoliv and Preh i Braşov and by Draexlmaier in Satu Mare and Codlea", Orzu added.

The un-occupancy rate of the logistic and warehouse buildings in Romania is approx. 14%, and the prime rent remained stable at EUR 4sqm/month. The differences between the asked rent and the net rent can reach 3-5%, depending on the facilities level granted by the landlord. Special conditions are applicable mainly to anchor tenants.

 

"Prime rent for small logistic spaces in Bucharest will slightly decrease for a short period of time, due to a higher competition on this market segment. Though we estimate that for the premises over 5,000 sqm the rent will slightly increase in the near future, as the number of this type of spaces currently available is limited", Orzu also said. (source: economica.net)