Growth in the container handling at the Port of Gdansk

11.10.2005

The Gdansk Container Terminal has reported a rapid growth in the number of containers handled. While in 2003, the Gdansk Container Terminal processed 20 thou. TEU (20-feet containers), already in 2004, this volume stood at over 41 thou. TEU. The year 2005 was expected to bring the equally successful results and the optimistic projections have been realized. September this year saw a monthly throughput running at a record-breaking rate of over 6 thou. TEU. In a time span from the beginning of the year until 4 October, the Gdansk Container Terminal processed a total volume in excess of 50 thou. TEU - for comparison purposes, in the corresponding period of the last year, some 28 thou. TEU were handled. Based on the dynamics of that growth, it can be expected that over the entire year 2005, the Gdansk Container Terminal will have processed over 60 thou. TEU.

Such a robust growth in the number of containers requires the cargo handling capability of the Terminal to be suitably geared. On the premises of the Gdansk Container Terminal, the construction work is currently under way that will improve the operating capacity in terms of the handling of ships and containers. The Szczecinskie Quay has been extended by 92 m (up to 360 m) with the purpose to facilitate the simultaneous servicing of two large-sized or three small-sized container carriers.

- The improvement work to the Szczecinskie Quay is due to completion already in October this year - says Krystian Klein, President of the Gdansk Container Terminal SA. It is of vital importance at the moment that the area of the maneuvering and storage yards be expanded and the Terminal's cargo handling equipment supplemented. The accomplishment of these projects will boost the throughput capacity of the Gdansk Container Terminal up to some 100 thou. TEU.