The agreement on cooperation between the ports of Gdansk and Ningbo

19.08.2004

On August 17-18 this year, the Port of Gdansk was hosting delegates of the Port of Ningbo, China, as well as of the Institute for Maritime Transport and the Municipal Planning Commission in Ningbo. The visitors were headed by Wang Xinnian, Vice-President of the Port of Ningbo. On behalf of the Port of Gdansk acted: Andrzej Kasprzak, President of the Board of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA, Andrzej Bojanowski, Vice-President of the Board, Zbigniew Perlinski, Vice-President of the Board, Ryszard Wocial, Director for Development and Infrastructure and Anna Rek-Niedzialkowska, Expert on Port Development.

The talks were preceded by the introduction of the port and its quays from the side of the port canals. More detailed presentation of the port coupled by the introduction of its development strategy, as well as the prospective actions resulting from Poland's accession to the European Union took place during the meeting that was held at the tower of the Harbour Master's Office at the Northern Port.

Over the last few years, the Port of Ningbo has seen the utmost dynamic expansion. In 2003, its global turnover amounted to 185 million tonnes, of which nearly 2.8 million of 20-feet containers. In 2004, the forecasts provide for the cargo handling volume at a rate of 210 million tonnes of cargoes, of which nearly 4 million TEU. Presently, this is the fifth biggest port in the world, however it continues to take into consideration smaller ports such as the Port of Gdansk. Having closely observed its development, the strengthening of its cargo handling capacity that includes such ventures as the construction of a new container terminal - the delegates of the Port of Ningbo are now considering starting the cooperation. This has been reflected in signing the agreement on cooperation between the ports of Ningbo and Gdansk. The agreement was signed by Wang Xinnian, Vice-Presdient of the Port of Ningbo and Andrzej Kasprzak, President of the Board of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA. Entering this agreement is aimed at the promotion of commercial, technological and cultural cooperation between the ports. The agreement covers issues related to planning of joint business ventures aiming at the intensified maritime traffic between the ports of Gdansk and Ningbo, providing favourable grounds for the exchange of experience and knowledge in terms of the flow of information, as well as the technological, professional and staff training. Additionally, the agreement provides for supporting, within the scope of its competence, of bilateral or multinational business contracts entered by Poland and China.

In the wake of the signed agreement, the parties declared to start intensified work with the purpose of developing detailed frameworks for the aforementioned issues, inclusive of that related to cargo flows. Outcome of this action will be discussed during the return visit of representatives of the Port of Gdansk to the Port of Ningbo, which has been scheduled for the immediate future.