Polish ports at the Munich fair

29.05.2003

On May 20-24, Europe's largest transport and logistics fair was held and, as the event attracted all the major players operating in the field, the Port of Gdansk could not have missed the opportunity to attend it. The TRANSPORT LOGISTIC fair is organised bi-annually in the Bavarian capital of Munich. This year's fair hosted a number of 1,184 exhibitors representing 46 countries, which shows a record growth in participation - by 21.4%, as compared with the last edition. Another record was a 40% increase in a number of foreign exhibitors (from outside Germany), who amounted to as much as 83.5% of those taking part in the event. Display stands were provided by such countries as France, Slovenia, Spain, the UK, the Czech Republic. Although Polish companies, in general, failed to form a common national stand, the two ports of Gdansk and Gdynia jointly presented themselves under a single exhibition display.

Since the event appeared of widespread interest in the trade, the fair organizers extended the exhibition space by an additional, sixth hall adding up to a total display area of 66,000 m² of professional fair grounds. The exhibitors represented a full variety of transportation sectors and their offer included, among others, a whole range of equipment and means of land, railway and combined transportation, logistics systems for port purposes, security systems and safety measures, haulage and logistics services. Among the participating companies there were those operating in the field of land, railway and combined transport (Polzug, Kombiverkehr, Hupac Intermodal), shipowners (Finnlines, Maersk, TT-Line, Walenius Wilhelmsen, LISCO, Scandlines, Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries), seaports, terminal operators, multi-modal operators (Schenker), logistics and distribution centres, brokers, e-commerce services, banks, insurance and consulting companies and others.

Every year, the Transport Logistic fair succeed in attracting an increased number of visitors: in 2001 it hosted 36,000 visitors, whereas this year the number exceeded 40,000 of those visiting the stands.

Among the seaports participating in the event, it is worthwhile mentioning such port as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Rostock, Turku, Rauma, Gent, Bilbao, Tarragona, Valencia, Sevilla and Monfalcone.

Poland's representation to this year's fair included the seaports of Gdansk and Gdynia, as well as Szczecin and Swinoujscie, and also such companies as PKP Cargo SA, Chem Trans Logistic Holding and Melex Ltd.

The Port of Gdansk together with the Port of Gdynia jointly held a single exhibition stand of 40 m². On behalf of the Port of Gdansk acted the representatives of the Port of Gdansk Authority headed by the President of the Board - Andrzej Kasprzak and the Commercial Office Director - Grazyna Kita. Additionally, the Port of Gdansk Authority SA was represented by the Head of Shipping Policy and Tariffs Department - Danuta Bilat, the Head of Promotion Department - Grazyna Balcerak and Monika Wojcik of Shipping Policy and Tariffs Department.

On behalf of the major operator of the Port of Gdansk - the Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics Ltd there were the Vice-President for Commercial and Operational Matters - Marek Frackowski and the Head of Marketing Department - Marcin Bulski.

The Port of Gdynia Authority SA was represented by the President of the Board - Jerzy Wielinski, the Head of Marketing and Promotion Department - Jan Lewko, the Specialist of Marketing and Promotion Department - Krystyna Kryszak and representatives from companies operating at the Port of Gdynia: the President of the Board of the Baltic General Cargo Terminal - Jacek Dubicki and the President of the Spedcont company - Wojciech Witkowski.

The offer presented by the seaports of Gdansk and Gdynia aroused considerable interest and many talks were held with business partners concerning promotional activities and information, as well as strictly commercial matters. New partnerships and business relations have been established that will hopefully bring fruit in the future.