Excavation of the Vistula Mere already revives the economically nearest areas

The Pomeranian Voivodeship Dariusz Drelich said that digging through the Wiślana Mere already brings the first symptoms of economic recovery. "In the areas adjacent to this investment are places where land prices have increased 10 times. Shipowners are already planning to build units to flow through the canal. Currently, ships are very popular from Gdańsk to watch this investment from the water. As you can see, digging already gives new perspectives," Drelich said.

Artur Chojecki, who participated in the meeting of the Warmia-Masurian voivode, said that there is no doubt that digging will give the whole region an impulse of development. "The Elbląg will benefit directly, of course, but also smaller ports: Suchacz, Tolkmicko or Frombork," he said. He added that the possibility of swimming from the Baltic to Elbląg would attract many tourists who would continue to visit, for example, the world-famous Ostrodzko-Elbląg Canal, where vessels on certain sections they "flow on the grass", i.e. they are dragged on special trolleys.

"Our region is still not fully exploiting the tourist potential in it," Chojecki said. In his opinion, the first effects of increased tourist traffic will be seen in 2023, which is already after the construction of the canal. Then the Copernicus Year will be celebrated in Frombork, commemorating the 550th anniversary of the astronomer's birthday. In the opinion of the Warmia-Masurian voivodes, many people can come to Frombork using a new waterway.

Chojecki added that in parallel with the mine excavation there are many road and railway investments in the region, which in his opinion will have a comprehensive impact on the economic recovery of Warmia and Mazury.

The discussion on the excavation highlighted that this idea is not new at all, such proposals have arisen throughout history. One of the advocates of building a new waterway was the builder of Gdynia Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski.

An expert at the Naval Academy Dariusz Bugajski reminded that the agreement on the possibility of sailing by the Piławska Strait is still in force between Poland and Russia. In his opinion, after the construction of the channel, Poland should not give up these possibilities.

The total length of the new waterway from the Gulf of Gdańsk through the Vistula Basin to Elbląg is nearly 23 km. The crossing through the Vistula River will be just over 10 km, along the Elbląg River – also more than 10 km, and the remaining 2.5 km is the section to which the airlock and the external port and the parking station will lie. The canal, as well as the entire waterway, will be 5 metres deep.

The first units are to pass through the new shipping channel next year, and the target investment will take shape in 2023.

Written by Joanna Kiewisz-Wojciechowska/PAP