Optimism at the turn of the decade

21.12.2010

As a rule, a coming new year gives rise to a reflection over what awaits us tomorrow...

The festive season is conducive to finding none but optimistic prerequisites that justify emerging hope. We usually find them in the list of achievements within the previous 12 months.

The ranking of the leading seaports is determined by throughput figures. The Port of Gdansk in mid-December exceeded the magic threshold of 25 million processed tonnes, thus we expect to conclude this year with a million tonnes higher volume. In the entire post-war history, it was only 1978 that brought a better result (27.7 million tonnes) mainly thanks to the operation of the fuel and coal terminals at the Northern Port. Similarly, half of Gdansk's success reported in the passing year is credited to the liquid fuels throughput (circa 14 million tonnes). The tangible and significant decline in coal exports (less than 2.3 million tonnes loaded) as compared to the previous years has been offset by the new technology in sea shipping - containerisation. More than half a million TEUs handled at the two terminals (i.e. a fifth of the port's throughput) puts containers in second place in the rank of the most important types of cargo. Today, Gdansk is a universal port facility operating highly-efficient terminals handling liquid fuels, coal and containers.

The port's condition depends on more than just figures. Its future is determined by investment projects and decisions that will be reflected in the economy of both the Pomeranian region and the entire country over the coming years. This is due to the fact that seaports are a litmus test of the proper operation of economic markets. Hardly a single doubting voice could be heard undermining the significance of the date 4th January 2010 for the Port of Gdansk. The docking at DCT of the giant container-carrier Maersk Taikung launching the direct weekly service to Asia opened another era in the history of the Port of Gdansk. This was immediately followed on 20th January by the Port of Gdansk opening a new Border Veterinary Checkpoint in the direct vicinity of DCT, a sine qua non condition for the operation of a modern container terminal.

Positive financial results shown by the most hard-working port's operator, Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics, gave rise to another investment project. 1st April saw PGCL launch a new technology line for handling loose raw sugar at the Oliwskie Quay. The efficiency of this multimillion PLN investment was soon confirmed by the handling of the 190-metre long m/v African Zebra, which brought almost 30 thousand tonnes of sugar.

On 12th May, the Port of Gdansk inaugurated a cruise season with the arrival of Alexander von Humboldt at the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal, which confirmed its excellent transport connection with the parts of Gdansk and the Pomeranian region that are the most frequented tourists destinations. Subsequently, although there is still room for improvement in order for the region to become an attractive holiday destination regardless of the time of the year, each consecutive cruise liner calling at the Port of Gdansk provides evidence that it is necessary to cater for visitors arriving by sea.

28th May of the passing year also marked a mile stone in the history of the Port of Gdansk. The trilateral agreement made on that day between the companies of PGA SA, Northern Port and Rudoport equalled in significance to the launching of the construction of terminals in the Northern Port or DCT. Guaranteed by the world renowned shipping partners Sea Invest and Arcelor Mittal, the initiative to develop the Dry Bulk Terminal at the port confirms Gdansk's significant position in terms of the exchange of goods in the Baltic region.

On 26th August, at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the results were announced of the 14th edition all-Poland Open Competition "Modernisation of the Year". From among the 700 projects entered in 13 categories, where only one prize and one honourable mention is awarded to the Investor, Designer and Contractor of a project - in the category "industrial and engineering structures" the honourable mention was presented to the project: "modernisation of steel piles in the hydraulic structure of the Fuel Terminal at the Northern Port". The Port of Gdansk Authority SA received congratulations, along with GT Poland and Aquaproject.

On 15th September, the Port of Gdansk exceeded the volumes projected in the annual throughput forecast. Following that date, each day drew us closer to the success that came as a result of the great effort made by almost 3000 qualified employees working at the port companies. The rapid growth in turnover was shown not only by the liquid fuel terminal Naftoport or the "young" DCT container terminal - the success is greatly attributed to the port's operator company Port of Gdansk Cargo Logistics handling coal, grain aggregates, cars and oversize 'project cargo' in the 'old' Inner Port.

New prospects for the Port of Gdansk were outlined by Malteurop Polska in conjunction with Copenhagen Marchants which on 29th October of the passing year initiated the development of the Gdansk Bulk Terminal. The terminal which boasts a comprehensive technology in drying and storage of grain is certain to boost the activity of the farmers in the Pomeranian region, ensuring at the same time that the malt plant is provided with low-cost supplies of barley from the local producers.

On 8th November, mv Höegh Seoul docked at the Oliwskie Quay launching the Baltic hub for Nissan cars in Gdansk. Relaunching the direct connection to the Far East, the Norwegian shipping carrier Höegh Autoliners AS recognised the experience and quality of service provided by PGCL handling this specific type of cargo.

A month later, we seconded the success of Gdansk Container Terminal SA, the forerunner of containerisation at the Port of Gdansk, boasting 12 years of experience in this field. Every Wednesday since the 8th December, one of the three carriers operated under the CMA/CGM and Team Lines service, dock at the Szczecinskie Quay providing Gdansk with more regular connections to the seaports in Western Europe. The thirteenth container line from Gdansk inaugurated at the Gdansk Container Terminal strengthens the GCT's position on the Baltic container shipping market and confirms the need for its expansion.

Whilst exploring the perspectives for the Port of Gdansk we must remember about the emerging opportunity involving profitable use of the superbly located 59 hectares of operational land, which a dozen or so years ago was entrusted to the unfortunate investor Europort. Towards the end of this autumn, PGA SA regained the right to the land and can now start to find a new reliable investor.

Furthermore, the idea of developing in the PGA area a logistics base well suited to the needs of the port and the entire region is finally taking more substantial shape. On 17th December, an agreement was signed between the city company InvestGDA and the Australian company of Goodman Polska concerning the construction of the Pomeranian Logistics Centre. The planned investment project covers 500 thousand square metres of warehousing space located immediately next to the DCT Gdansk terminal.

With this optimistic turn of the decade, we wish ourselves - the Gdansk and Port family - fast and determined completion of the investment projects, both great and small, as the port in Gdansk has been working towards this for well over a thousand years.

Janusz Kasprowicz
PGA SA PR Officer