We talk to Zbigniew Ziejewski, Deputy Minister of State Assets, about ports and the future of the National Food Group.
Both the future of the National Food Group and Polish ports are the subject of a heated social debate. What plans does the ministry have for KGS?
During the conference organized by the Warmian-Masurian Chamber of Agriculture entitled Agriculture for the Future: 20 years of Poland in the European Union. Where is the Common Agricultural Policy heading? The Ministry of State Assets has outlined many plans for activities in the coming years.
What’s next for the port in Gdynia?
Farmer: You talked a lot about port expansion plans, but this is mainly the responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure, I understand that you cooperate in this area?
Zbigniew Ziejewski: Yes, we have established close cooperation. The Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible for ports, and we, as the Ministry of State Assets, are responsible for KGS. We want KGS to be able to decide what we sell, how we sell, when we sell and in what way.
You said that you were terminating the port lease agreement concluded on November 8. Do you think it will be successful? The consortium that won the tender reported the case to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection must issue a negative opinion on this matter for the lessee. This is very important because the port issue may affect the country’s defense and food security. And these are the superior values. We need to normalize the situation in the ports. There are no Polish quays anywhere in western ports, starting from Hamburg, Hannover and Amsterdam. We must take care of our national assets, which are ports. We have the capital of the National Food Group and we can develop these wharves on our own.
After the renovation of the port in Gdynia, export capacity is to increase from the current 13.6 million tons per year to 15 million. It’s still not much. So what’s next?
More ports lie ahead – including: in Gdansk. We must also remember that we have a large port in Świnoujście, which has enormous transshipment capacity. Ships even larger than fifty-thousanders can enter Świnoujście, and that’s what we’re talking about. We are also planning to build a railway from Wrocław to Szczecin, because the south of Poland has huge potential. Facilitating their access to ports and minimizing transport costs may be of key importance for the development of these areas.
What dates are we talking about?
The first thing, the port in Gdynia, is still this year. This is our most important task – launching Gdynia and Elbląg in the form we plan by February 2025. Then further tenders will be announced, but time is of the essence here.
KGS must change
During the debate, you mentioned changes in the management board of KGS.
When it comes to KGS, we are talking about evolution, not revolution. The president of KGS, Marek Zagórki, and one of the management board members, Tomasz Olenderek, remain in their positions. We replace the four remaining members of the management board and this is decided by the supervisory board. It is important that this is not a decision of the minister but of the supervisory board. Each position is filled through competition. There were 41 candidates for four board members, so the competition is very popular, people want to work at KGS. We want them to be specialists, not politicians. KGS has money – now it needs to be used wisely, which is why we need competent people. We have transferred PLN 800 million from KOWR, and the interest has already increased, so the amount is around PLN 900 million. We want to tie it all together so it runs smoothly. And I hope we will succeed.
You also talked about creating extensive infrastructure, including a transshipment hub in Zamość. What would that look like?
Yes, we want to use the elevators in Zamość as a reloading hub. Creating a specialized, independent laboratory there would help avoid problems with the quality of grain introduced into the country. This will allow the exclusion of the technical grain element. Grain that does not meet the parameters would automatically be sent to Ukraine, because we must realize that it will never return from the port, but will spread across the country. Trains loaded in Zamość would go straight to the port, and from there they would be exported. Zamość is to be the first such point. We are also thinking about purchasing private terminals there, which would allow us to normalize the situation with Ukrainian grain.
President Biden promised subsidies for building silos at the border.
I want President Biden to win the election in November and keep that promise. If Americans gave money for this, we would be happy to use it and build such a transhipment center near our border.
How much capacity should our ports have so that we can deal with the issue of competition with Ukraine?
It seems to me that after the opening of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Elbląg and other quays, we can talk about 20 million tons per year. Please remember that ports are one thing, but you also need a fleet.
And sales directions.
Yes. Specialized traders are needed. With a fresh approach to trade. We don’t necessarily have to sell our products, we can barter. We need ambassadors and trade advisors who will primarily perform economic missions. Not only were they at work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but they actually worked for their country.
Thank you for the conversation.
