The port of Gdynia in northern Poland is being deepened and its quays modernised in a major construction scheme backed by the EU’s Cohesion Fund. The modifications allow the port to accommodate bigger ships and handle more cargo. The improvements should increase traffic safety while helping the port’s users to reduce transport costs and cut emissions.
Deepening the Port of Gdynia in Poland brings economic, environmental benefits
- 12 September 2019
Gdynia specialises in handling heavy cargo and is recognised as one of Poland’s four key national sea ports, alongside Gdańsk, Szczecin and Świnoujście. However, the port’s development has been held back by its depth and some of its existing facilities.Servicing bigger ships
This project resolves these problems in a number of ways. Around 1.5 km of quays are being constructed or modernised, while dredging will allow ships with a draft of up to 15 m to enter the port, rather than the previous 13 m.
The modifications mean the port can expand its activities and service larger ocean-going container cargo ships. In addition, because of the previous maximum draft limits, many cargo ships were unable to arrive with a full load, a situation which should now be resolved. The changes mean the port can accommodate some larger-bulk vessels. Improving the port infrastructure delivers environmental benefits because catering for bigger ships reduces emissions per tonne of transported goods.
New opportunities
The project is likely to have a positive impact on employment in businesses that use the port, as it increases the economic potential of cargo handling and the development of new cargo services. Organisations can expand their activities in areas such as freight forwarding, customs and insurance, which are all essential to the smooth running of a busy port.
In addition, the project contributes to the local economy while works are being carried out. In the long term, completion of the scheme increases the region’s attractiveness as a place to invest.
Improvements at the port strengthen transport connections in Europe as a whole. Gdynia belongs to the core network of the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and it is a significant nodal point of the Baltic-Adriatic corridor.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Deepening of the approach fairway and internal areas of the Port of Gdynia - stages I and III and reconstruction of quays in the Port of Gdynia - stages II and III” is EUR 107 650 491, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 64 947 424 through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Transport and energy networks”.