Cruise liners at the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal

04.06.2004

On June 4 this year, at midday, the cruise liner Island Sky under a flag of Bahamas put to the Port of Gdansk. It was a second call of the passenger vessel at the Port of Gdansk during this year's high season (the summer season commenced with a call of the ship "Endeavour" on May 31) - and a first call of the kind at the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal.

Launching of the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal extended an array of opportunities for servicing passenger ships. As a result, cruise liners have put to the Terminal already since June 4. As a sole quay hitherto providing a berthing place to such vessels, the Oliwskie Quay will accommodate the biggest cruise liners entering the Port of Gdansk, whilst the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal - small and medium-sized vessels.

In 2004, it is expected that a number of cruise liners putting to the Port of Gdansk will rise substantially. Whilst in 2003 a number of 7 calls were made by passenger ships, there is about 30 calls notified for 2004, with vessels of over 200 meters in length. Although this number is still considerably small as compared with about 90 calls reported annually at the Port of Gdynia, this year's increased rate gives evidence to the attractiveness of the Port of Gdansk to passengers sailing on board cruise liners. This is due to numerous attractions awaiting tourists in Gdansk (especially its historic quarters) and its vicinity, as well as an easy access from the port to the city centre. Since a vessel's stay at the port usually takes no more than a day - those are vital arguments in support of the Port of Gdansk as is confirmed by opinions of specialists operating in the tourism industry.

Such trends gave rise to the formation of a concept providing for the construction - in future - of a ro-ro and ferry terminal in the Northern Port. The new facility will be situated near the Deepwater Container Terminal, the construction of which is scheduled to commence later this year (with the designing work currently in progress). Nevertheless, with the Container Terminal put into operation, it will be possible to accommodate also sizable cruise liners. These new range of opportunities will ensure another chance for more dynamic operation of the Port of Gdansk.