2015-09-15

Dynamic growth of seaports

We are witnesses to a dynamic growth of Polish seaports. Total amount allotted to investments in Gdynia port in 2015 is to exceed PLN 211 million, in 2016 - PLN 236 million and in 2017 – over PLN 162 million. Straight majority of the amount is to be spent on projects aimed at improving port infrastructure – railways, roads and wharfs. The remaining sum is to be spent on the so called suprastructure which includes among others storage yards, storehouses, office and auxiliary buildings. Neighbours from Gdańsk are planning to spend their funds on building the second maritime container terminal which is supposed to be finished in 2016 and cost PLN 1 billion. Similar amount is to be invested in Gdańsk port by 2020. Investment projects in Świnoujście also include building of a container terminal. The port is planning to invest almost PLN 700 million by the end of this decade.

All the investments help improve the position of Polish ports in the region. Last year 2 million tonnes cargo more than the year before was handled in Gdańsk. Also the Gdynia port had a record – by almost 10 per cent – increase in cargo handling. It is good news because competition in the Baltic Sea region is really fierce. Biggest “rivals” of Polish ports are most of all: Kaliningrad, Lubeck, Rostock, Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Klaipeda, and in terms of mass liquid cargo also the ports on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea – Riga, Tallinn, Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Ventspils or Butinge.

It is estimated that in 2014 the four biggest Polish seaports handled cargo of total value PLN 50 billion. It constitutes a huge increase compared to 2011 (app. PLN 42 billion) and 2007 (app. PLN 30 billion). This is a clear proof of the important role the ports play in Polish economy. Budgetary receivables connected with the cargo declared by the ports reach the level of app. PLN 10 billion every year. Therefore, further expansion of Polish seaports is in the interest of Poland. During the Seaports Panel our experts will among others talk about their idea of port management policy.

We are looking forward to meeting you there!