DCT changes the world as we know it

10.04.2012

At the third weekend of January, the port of Gdansk exceeded the volume threshold of one million tonnes of goods handled in 2012 - thanks mainly to containers and liquid fuels. The quarter closed with a turnover of almost 5 million tonnes, with the prevailing types of cargo still including containerized break-bulk, liquefied fuels and increasingly frequent bulk. However, in total, it was nearly three million tonnes less than in the corresponding period of last year. The only branch that does not seem to note any significant drop in turnover is... container shipping.

Despite the optimistic premises, Thomas Bagge - the new "Maersk Line" head of East Central Europe area - announced, in his first interviews, ambitious tasks, but also a difficult time for container owners: - In 2011 the container industry attained more than 8% growth as compared with the year 2010. For them, this year will bring keen competition for keeping and winning clients, and also for maintaining reasonable shipping prices. In the wake of the container ships with a carrying capacity of 15.5 thou. TEU, operated under the AE10 Asia service and making weekly calls at Gdansk, new opportunities have opened up for Polish export and import companies. At the same time, however, enormous needs have been highlighted for investment required to ensure the efficient operation of the port's transportation links on land. - Polish ports have a chance of catching up with their many Baltic competitors, but they cannot stand the competition without costly investments and streamlined procedures - repeated in almost all of her addresses made this year Anna Wypych-Namiotko, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy - Polish ports must constantly improve, modernize and streamline their services offered to clients. It is important to develop at the same time rail and road infrastructure, as well as logistics facilities.

A valuable initiative aiming at the expansion of container throughput potential offered in Gdansk includes the construction of a so-called "dry port" near Tczew planned for development by "PCC Intermodal". Additionally, new rail connections suited for transporting containers have been launched by "Maersk Poland". The train "Maersk Amber Express" is operating between Gdansk and Katy Wroclawskie on a twice-weekly basis. The company is planning to expand their service network to other regions in Poland, providing an excellent addition to the AE10 service.

With the view to implementing its new strategy, "Maersk Line" has appointed Søren Skou as its new CEO. Formerly, he has held the CEO positions of "Dansker Bank" and "Maersk Tankers", and has been involved with the Group since 1983. The DCT management has also received support as on 16 January the seat of DCT's Chief Commercial Officer was taken by 58-year-old Jean-Jacques Moyson, former head of the container division of PSA HNN in Brussels and of logistics at JJM BVBA in Antwerp. Upon three months of his assignment in Gdansk, it is worth inquiring about the reflections made by an economist with 30 years of experience in the prestigious European companies of the maritime sector.

Janusz Kasprowicz
PGA SA PR Officer

Q: Although DCT Gdansk is the youngest terminal in the Port of Gdansk, it is the biggest one as well. What is the key to this success?

Jean-Jacques Moyson: - We have changed the traditional trade pattern that has existed for many decades in Poland and the whole Baltic Region. The Baltic Sea Region used to be serviced by hub ports located outside of Poland. Most of Polish import and export was handled in the Northern European ports. That was the main reason why Polish export was not in the same competitive position as the German export companies. Making DCT Gdansk the only hub terminal in the Baltic Sea and attracting Ultra-large container vessels to Gdansk allowed to significantly reduce the total logistic transport costs which impacted the prices paid by consumers. Polish importers and exporters take advantage of these opportunities and start to use Gdansk instead of German and Benelux ports. The demand for our product is bigger than our offer which is why DCT develops so fast.

Q: DCT handled its first million TEU in June 2011. When do you expect another million?

JJM: DCT Gdansk's growth is really impressive. We handled almost 635 000 TEU in 2011. As we are developing the existing facility and the demand for our service is constantly growing, we expect to handle our second million TEU in the course of 2012.

Q: This will be a significant moment for your terminal. During 2012 DCT will handle volume equal to the one achieved during 4 years of your existence.

JJM: Yes, we do expect that as from this year everybody will realize Gdansk will now enter the league of the big deep sea terminal operators and therefore we are able to refer to the Gdansk-Le Havre range, a real game changer. We will continue to expand capacity on current phase and we have also started to work on phase II, which will raise our annual capacity potential to 4 million TEU by around 2015. We receive strong support from ZMPG and local authorities, who understand the need of fast development of DCT Gdansk.

Q: These are impressive figures especially for Polish container industry. Do you really believe that the demand for your product is that high?

JJM: Of course - DCT Gdansk as the only terminal in the whole CEE is capable to handle the biggest container vessels. CEE including Russia(as one of the most important BRICS economies) is the fastest growing economic region in this part of the world. DCT Gdansk is not only focusing on the strong Polish market but due to its unique geographical location Russia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus, etc. can be served in a competitive way.

Deep sea vessels with capacity over 8 000 TEU up to 15,500 TEU are now the most economical modes of transport. With these vessels you come as closely as possible to the final destination. This brings down the final land transport distance resulting in the most attractive point-to-point cost. These ULCV are also the most environmentally-friendly. Using these giant vessels means more efficient and especially more reliable transport of goods resulting also in a higher competitiveness of Polish export and lower prices for import. Polish consumers and freight forwarders/ cargo owners benefit from this. That is why DCT Gdansk is attracting more and more volumes from other European ports. These elements are also already leading to a transit ex Gdansk to non-Polish final destinations (including Germany) of 10% of our volumes leaving our terminal by truck.

Q: Your ambitions seem to be very expansive. Do you get any support?

JJM: Yes. DCT Gdansk is involved in the process of changing not only the pattern of Polish market but also the awareness of Polish container industry stakeholders. We closely cooperate with local and national authorities. Although a lot has been done in this area already, the government needs to incorporate the strategic value created by the port of Gdansk, and by DCT in particular, in the national transport strategy vision and address obstacles and inefficiencies that limit Gdansk's and Poland's potential as a CEE gateway.

We are very appreciative about the very strong support from the Port Authorities, who are totally aligned with our vision as they understand that the required changes can only be made when all interested parties cooperate with each other.