Strategic management ensures the identification of environmental opportunities and threats that a sector or an organization must face in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Transport is recognized as a key factor in the strategy of a long term development, economic growth and quality of life. In this sense, a transport system that offers a maximum economic and social impact must be developed in order to minimize the negative effects. Considering this aspects, we must highlight that important (...) economic changes, trade growth, technological development or environmental issues have a major impact on the maritime industry in general and on port activities in particular. The favourable maritime opening of Romania, which through the port of Constanta is one of the main distribution centers for Central and Eastern Europe, ensures the necessary premises for an economic growth. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main strategic management decisions needed in the field of maritime transport in order to ensure increased performance. We will also try to demonstrate the strategic importance that the management of the port has in terms of its competitiveness in foreign trade. An analysis will be performed on the port of Constanta based on which we will identify the main decisions and strategic objectives to ensure its development and increase its competitiveness at European and global level. (shrink)