Cargo handling volumes in 2002 close to meeting the schedules

08.01.2003

At the beginning of December last year, when first attempts were made towards the results assessment of the year 2002 - the accomplishments proved to be favourable: annual volumes of handled cargoes reached the targeted level, whereas, for certain cargoes, a slight surplus was expected. What is, then, the actual situation at the end of the year for the quays of the Port of Gdansk?

Throughout the year 2002, a total volume of cargo handled by the Gdansk stevedores amounted to 16,593 thousand tonnes of various cargoes, whereas according to the schedules, a targeted volume was 17,014 thousand tonnes. Top handling volumes were reported in terms of coal: 6,961 thousand tonnes, which exceeds both the projected volume (6,000 thousand tonnes), as well as the volume of 6,067 thousand tonnes reported for the year 2001. A considerable growth in volume, as compared with last year's results, could also be observed in terms of another major cargo group - general cargo. In 2002 a general cargo handling volume totaled 1,728 thousand tonnes (though the scheduled amount was 1,950 thousand tonnes), whereas last year's result was recorded at 1,653 thousand tonnes.

As regards other cargo groups, a certain extend of shortage was reported as compared with the forecasts. Major deficiency was observed in terms of liquid fuels handling, that totaled 5,712 thousand tonnes in the year 2002, whereas a scheduled result provided for 6,500 thousand tonnes. It is necessary to mention that the reports for the year 2001 showed a handling volume of 7,030 thousand tonnes of liquid fuels. As far as other cargo ranges are concerned accomplishments came close to the targeted volumes and amounted as follows: other bulk - 1,877 thousand tonnes (vs. a targeted volume of 2,000 thousand tonnes), grain - 250 thousand tonnes (vs. a targeted volume of 315 thousand tonnes) and ore - 65 thousand tonnes (vs. a targeted volume of 240 thousand tonnes). Generally speaking, the actual accomplishments fell short of reaching a scheduled volumes by as little as 2.5 per cent.

- The deficiency resulted mainly from the situation that occurred in the second half of December - says Marek Czernowski, Senior Dispatcher of the Port of Gdansk. The last dozen of days towards the end of the year 2002 failed to meet our expectations, and considerably affected the results. It appears to be a difficult task to catch up with the fall of 1,300 thousand tonnes of liquid fuels (the amount being a difference in handling volumes between the years 2001 and 2002), that to a great extend was a result of the policies employed by Polish refineries. This, consequently, affected the approach we adopt while carefully defining next year's prognosis. At the present moment a considerable growth in coal handling can be expected at a level similar to the one reported for the year 2002 as compared to 2001. However, it is advisable to refrain from making any predictions as for the situation in other cargo groups until the end of January, when the negotiations currently under progress are due to conclusion. In my opinion, to remain the handling volumes at the level recorded in 2002 would be a successful achievement, although it is our solemn intention to strive for exciding these volumes.