Portal partners
Development of seaports crucial for the transport strategy of Poland
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
The construction of a sustainable and coherent transport system in Poland is necessary – stressed the participants in the debate on the transport strategy for Poland, which took place as part of the 12th edition of the European Economic Congress in Katowice on 2-4 September 2020.
The opening debate, Andrzej Adamczyk, Minister of Infrastructure, informed that the 2015 declaration related to the normalization of the situation on the public procurement market of large investments had been completed. In his opinion, Polish entrepreneurs can plan their activities more calmly with regard to transport strategy.
The Minister of Infrastructure pointed to a large number of projects already in place for the new EU perspective, modernisation of railway and road routes. He also recalled key investments such as the Via Carpatia road or the Central Communication Port to introduce new quality in the state's communication system.
Grzegorz Witkowski, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Shipping, observed a great investment momentum, which, according to him, proves the development of PLN 20 billion this year for maritime economic purposes. Next year it will be 30 billion PLN.
"For the first time in 50 years, we have been developing a large investment programme to build new ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia. In 2019, from Polish ports alone, the state budget received PLN 40 billion from customs and tax charges. For our southern neighbours, ports in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Świnoujście become the main export gate" - said Witkowski.
Sławomir Michalewski, Vice-President of the Board of Finance at the Management Board of the Maritime Port of Gdańsk S.A. pointed out that even 90% of the world's freight transport takes place by sea. In his opinion, it clearly reflects the key role of world shipping throughout the transport system.
On transport strategy, Michalewski also pointed out the long-term investment perspective (20-25 years) and the need to connect seaports with all transport facilities. According to UNCTAD (United Nations Trade and Development Conference), 11 billion tonnes of goods were transported by sea in 2018.
"Port Gdański is the largest port in Poland. Last year, 52 million tonnes were transhipped. In total, all ports transhipped 108 million tonnes and 3 million containers. We must be aware that without our participation still the largest Polish port would be Hamburg. However, this structure is changing," stressed Sławomir Michalewski.
As part of the investment of PLN 1.5 billion taking place on the back of the Port Gdańsk, 70 km of tracks are currently being built, 223 journeys, three bridge facilities, and three freight stations are being upgraded. After completion of this process, the share of rail transport in port service from 35% will be increased above 40%.
‘Without rail, ports do not exist. We must be aware that the container ship spends an average of 0.7 days in port. Mass ships spend more than two days in port. The speed at which the cargo reaches the port and leaves it and the cargo payment we can offer determines the competitiveness of our port," said Michalewski.
The port of Gdańsk was included in the list of the 15 largest container ports in Europe, as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Inland Shipping reported in February this year. The ranking was prepared by Theo Notteboom, professor of port economics and maritime economy and management at Shanghai Maritime University.
Sławomir Michalewski stated that the record scale of investments in the back of the Port of Gdańsk shows Poland's growing role as a transport hub for neighbouring countries without access to the sea. In this context, he mentioned a project of the Central Port to serve geopolitical purposes for the next 20-30 years.
Source: PAP
