Has Pomerania taken advantage of development opportunities for its maritime economy?

16.10.2015

Last Wednesday in the Main Building of Gdansk University of Technology, a scientific symposium was held which was dedicated to the maritime economy, with the honorary patronage of the University rector - prof. Henry Krawczyk.

The symposium, which tackled the question of whether Pomerania has taken advantage of development opportunities for its maritime economy, was the first in a series of scientific symposia devoted to selected economic sectors of the Polish economy organised by the Gdansk University of Technology Alumni Association and Pracodawcy Pomorza (the Employers of Pomerania). The Port of Gdansk, as a partner of this event, was represented by CEO Dorota Raben who, together with the Chairman of the Port of Gdynia, a representative from the Deepwater Container Terminal and the General Secretary of the National Chamber of Maritime Commerce, reported on the current state of the maritime economy based on the example of the port of Gdansk.

"Recent years should be regarded as extremely important and successful not only for all Polish ports but also other companies involved in the maritime industry in general. The developing significance of Polish ports on the logistical map of Europe, the top-notch operability of our transshipment terminals and commitment to the development of the Polish maritime economy at various levels - local, municipal and governmental - allow us today to reap the benefits from our consistent joint efforts. Record cargo handling, the simplification of legal and legislative regulations that have speeded up customs procedures at Polish ports, the massive investment projects in ports and their foreland mean that today we can celebrate our shared success," announced Dorota Raben.

The achievements of our seaports, and also those of other organisations involved in the maritime industry along with their persistent efforts, were appreciated by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of the Economy - Mr. Janusz Piechocinski - who honoured, among others, CEO Dorota Raben with an award "For services to the Economic Development of the Republic of Poland". This ceremony was conducted by Minister Bogdan Dombrowski - Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Administration and Digitisation, who deputised for Minister Piechocinski.

During the symposium, prof. Henry Cwiklinski made a presentation regarding the situation of the Ports of Gdansk and Gdynia and discussed the developmental issues affecting both ports as well as the legislative simplifications that have been introduced in the area of port and sea trade. There were also some focus on the shipyards, including how their land could be used, presented by the CEO of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone - Ms Teresa Kaminska.