Baltexpo '2011 - the land barriers to seaports' growth

09.09.2011

The 16th International Maritime Exhibition "BALTEXPO 2011" provided a good opportunity for the assessment of advantages and disadvantages of Poland's maritime economy. The general formula of presenting the ship building industry was greatly improved by adding the debates dedicated to maritime wind power engineering, safety and security technologies for sea regions and - last but not least - the future of seaports in Poland. Regardless of the many skeptical opinions undermining the reason and purpose of this exhibition formula, the integration of the entire maritime sector, even excluding the ports' and operators' exposition, can bring substantial effects.

The debate discussed the condition and the future of port infrastructure and - in addition to the obvious partners representing the ports of Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin -- was also attended by a large number of representatives from institutions, authorities and companies that deal with the port reality on a daily basis. Although the multiple positive opinions pointed to the optimistic outlook for our seaports, there were also several significant "buts"...

The 1996 Act on Harbours and Sea Ports - thanks to its almost unchanged content - stabilized standards for port services and ensured the long-term implementation of development plans. However, despite the fact that maritime authorities continuously upgrade ports' seaborne borders - which was emphasized by a number of speakers - providing ports with the reliable land transport infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. This is a burden especially placed on the extremely fast growing container shipping industry. - The future of the Polish ports - said Boris Wenzel, CEO of DCT Gdansk - looks very bright. However, container handling technologies are demanding and expensive, so each development project carries considerable risks for investors.

- The cost of investment into port facilities - continued PGA SA President of the Board, Dr Ryszard Strzyzewicz - usually exceeds ports' own financial capacity. Each of the Polish ports has its unique history, individual development track and its specific privatisation procedures. The current financial stand also individually determines the application process for the EU funds allocation. Despite the 2010 record high throughput figures and the income from lease of real property on a large area of land which contributed to the record high net profit - the port of Gdansk is unable to develop independently. The old quays require much more investment into maintenance and modernisation of the existing infrastructure than, for example, those in the "young" - as compared to the one-thousand-year old Gdansk - city of Gdynia. We must find external investors in order to develop new projects.

The speakers reminded the audience that ports carry out their operations at the interface of changing policies, different economies and various cultural mentalities. Since the managers at the Port of Hamburg - which is much more technologically advanced as compared to the Polish ports - have considered it necessary to look for the location of the so-called "dry ports" in Poland in order to consolidate their ports' position in the container handling sector, Poland's upper hand in defending its position in Europe's transport chain has to rely on the fastest possible modernisation of the land accessibility of the ports.

Gdansk's favourable location has been highly recognized and the port is now accommodating the largest among the currently operated container carriers. The increasingly large volumes of TEU require advanced and efficient handling technologies. We must also ensure that goods are transported and distributed in a time-saving and cost-effective manner. The construction of logistics centres, the opening of rapid road and rail, and also inland navigation connections are the top priorities that will guarantee the growth of Poland's maritime centres. Nowadays, the barriers to ports' development - as concluded in the debate - are to be found mainly on land.

PGA SA PR Officer