Transshipment in Polish ports will increase, so the hubs will not deprive themselves of work and opportunities for development – says Arkadiusz Marchewka, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, in an interview for Wednesday’s “Puls Biznesu”.
The newspaper pointed out that for many months there have been voices on the Polish market warning about the risk of Germany blocking the planned construction of a container terminal in Świnoujście. At the same time, it was pointed out, more and more people are expressing concerns about the implementation of this investment. According to “PB”, representatives of Tri-City ports are afraid that it will compete with their terminals, and the mayor of Świnoujście is calling for a referendum among residents who are afraid that the terminal will scare away tourists.
Can Germany actually block the construction of the terminal, or is there a risk that we will do it ourselves? – asked the newspaper.
– The Maritime Office in Szczecin has already announced a tender for ferromagnetic tests necessary before the construction of breakwaters. The West Pomeranian Voivode has issued a location decision, and an agreement has already been concluded for a feasibility study of the approach track in Polish waters. These are specific actions showing our determination to complete this investment – said the deputy minister.
As for the city’s position, we are open to talks with the local government and residents, and we want to cooperate on a partnership basis. The construction of the terminal will improve the economic situation of Świnoujście, without conflicting with the development of tourism. The container terminal will be located on Wolin Island, near the already operating LNG terminal. Tourism, however, is developing mainly on the island of Usedom, so the reloading of containers will not interfere with the service of tourists, he added.
– The transshipment capacity of Polish ports increases every year. The T3 terminal is being built in Gdańsk, thanks to which transshipment in this port will increase to 4.5 million TEU (20-foot containers – ed.). Container reloading will increase by several percent annually, so there will be goods for both the terminals in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Świnoujście. We assume that container terminals in Polish ports will serve not only customers from the domestic market, but, to a greater extent than before, also from Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries in the region – noted the “Puls Biznesu” interlocutor.
What about the lease of agro terminals in Gdynia and Gdańsk?
He also addressed the question whether the cancellation of tenders for the selection of operators leasing agro terminals in Gdynia and Gdańsk would threaten the stable implementation of grain transshipment and the development of potential in this market segment.
Grain transshipment on the Polish coast is safe. In the first five months of this year, we recorded a 27% increase in transshipment in the port of Gdańsk, 11% in Świnoujście and Szczecin and 7% in Gdynia. We have a large potential for transshipment of grain, we are able to tranship approximately 1 million tons of agro products per month, so we still have a reserve in relation to current demand. Moreover, operators already operating in ports are expanding production capacity, e.g. OT Port in Świnoujście is expanding its leased grain terminal – replied Marchewka.
– As for the terminal in Gdynia, a temporary tenant currently works there. The entity selected in the previous tender did not receive consent for a long-term lease, so the procedure was canceled. On July 3, we will learn about new offers in the ongoing procedure, he said.
