Polish-German Session in Gdansk

25.02.2003

On 20-21 February, this year Gdansk was playing a host to the 5^th Session of the Polish-German Contact Group organized by invitation from the Maritime Transport Department at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Port of Gdansk Authority Co. Sessions of the Contact Group provide the grounds for the exchange of experience and information related to maritime commerce of both countries. Additionally, they enhance cooperation initiatives among Polish and German companies, organizations, institutions and authorities operating in the field of maritime transport. The previous session was held in a German town of Emden in October 2001. The Gdansk-based Session focused on the continuation and development of shifting cargo flows from road transport to maritime and inland transport - "From Road to Sea/Inland Waterways".

German delegation was headed by Mr. Helmut Block representing the Federal Ministry of Communication, Construction and Housing, whereas, acting on behalf of the Polish party, was the Head of Maritime Transport Department at the Ministry of Infrastructure - Mr. Andrzej Gdula. Participants to the Session included, among others, representatives from the Maritime Institute and its German counterpart, shipowners, Polish and German Short Sea Shipping Promotion Board, as well as authorities of Polish ports.

The two-day proceedings featured the introduction of both countries' accomplishments in the field of the on-going research and feasibility studies on the expansion of sea "highways", promotion of Short Sea Shipping, and developing the policy that will provide efficient encouragement to forwarding companies to turn to seaways. It was emphasized that the present intensified road transportation brings on a hazardous impact on both the environment and road infrastructure. Presentations covered, among others, development plans of regular ferry and ro/ro services on the routes of Szczecin-Swinoujscie-Klaipeda and Gdansk-Baltyisk. A necessity emerged of setting up ferry services to operate between Polish and German ports. Additionally, during the Session, presentations were made to introduce the standing of ports authorities delivered by: Ms. Danuta Bilat - Head of Shipping Policy and Tariffs Department of the Port of Gdansk Authority Co., Mr. Krzysztof Gromadowski - Head of Development Planning and EU Integration of the Port of Gdynia Authority Co., and Mr. Krzysztof Pilarski - Marketing Director of the Authority of Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Co.

The Session proceeded in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere with an air of commonwealth of interests and prevailing need to continue and expand the cooperation, particularly, in view of Poland's UE accession. The gathering was jointly organized by the Maritime Transport Department at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Port of Gdansk Authority Co. The German delegation invited Polish representatives to participate in the next session of the Contact Group that is to be held in Germany.