Increase in the turnover of cars at the Port of Gdansk

18.07.2007

17 July this year saw the arrival of the biggest car-carrier that has ever berthed at the quays of the Port Free Zone. The vessel "Lyra Leader" operated by the shipowner NYK Line is 200 metres in length and can carry 6,500 cars onboard. It brought to Gdansk 1,000 units of Toyota cars.

The Port of Gdansk launched the mass handling of motor vehicles in 1999. For this purpose, a terminal was provided in the area of the Port Free Zone. The first cars that were handled at that time included units of Suzuki and Nissan brand. The status of the Port Free Zone as well as the extensive range of state-of-the-art technical infrastructure facilities ensuring high standards of security and safety to the vehicles in storage therein, has gained wide recognition among the business partners having their car consignments at the Gdansk Port. Since the car handling terminal become operational, the facility operator - Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics - has developed a variety of procedures aimed to efficiently perform the operations and has provided training to its employees which guarantees top operating standards.

At the present moment, car handling operations are performed at three quays i.e. in the area of the Port Free Zone, at the Obroncow Westerplatte Quay and at the Oliwskie Quay. Motor vehicles are stored in open storage yards. Sheltered warehouses are used at client's special request for the storage of very expensive and rare type cars. Car storage conditions provided at the port are constantly undergoing improvement, with upgrades and repairs implemented to access roads and storage yards.

The Port of Gdansk has recently launched new regular liner services with Japan and South Korea. These are operated by Euro Marine Carrier providing the shipment of Nissan cars, Wallenius and "K" Line carrying Toyota cars, and Höegh Autoliners rendering haulage services to the Chevrolet car maker. In the first half of this year, the Port of Gdansk handled a volume of 71.6 thou. vehicles which, compared to 78.9 thou. units handled in the entire previous year, indicates an exceptionally rapid growth.