Port of Gdańsk second in the Baltic

Over 36 million tons of cargo were handled at the Port of Gdańsk from January to the end of July this year. This result gives it second place among Baltic ports in total cargo handling. Increases were recorded in almost all cargo groups.

- We have overtaken the Russian Port of Primorsk and are in second place in the Baltic in total cargo handling. We also managed to maintain first place in container handling. July was absolutely record-breaking - a historic 5.8 million tons per month was reached. We have a real chance to end this year at a level of over 60 million tons - said Łukasz Greinke, President of the Board of the Port of Gdańsk.

Ports are preparing for increased coal handling

From January to the end of July this year, over 36 million tons of cargo were handled at the Port of Gdańsk. This is 20 percent more than in the same period last year. Almost all cargo groups recorded increases. The largest jump is in timber - by 3150 percent. Ore handling also increased significantly - by 267 percent. Energy raw materials are in the black. Coal increased by nearly 67 percent, and liquid fuels by over 39 percent. Only other bulk cargo (aggregates, sulfur) recorded declines - by 23 percent. There is a slight correction in general cargo (-0.4 percent).

After the pandemic year, the cruise market collapsed. This year brings a positive change. Due to the war in Ukraine, there is more cruise ship traffic in Baltic ports. This is due to the decision of shipowners - passenger vessels are currently not calling at the Russian port in Saint Petersburg. The Port of Gdańsk has a record number of over 90 cruise ships announced by the end of the year and estimates that it will receive about 35,000 tourists. By the end of July, it hosted 53 cruise ships, 44 more than in the entire previous year.

Currently, the growth achieved by port operators is very dynamic, which is why the Board of the Port of Gdańsk is discussing new projects.

- To handle growing cargo flows, especially energy raw materials for domestic needs, as well as grain, iron ore, steel products, or sunflower oil for Ukraine's export needs, further investments are necessary, including the construction of storage and warehouse yards (...) ZMPG is also currently conducting intensive investment and renovation works, which, due to the geopolitical situation, are of a priority nature, as they focus on preparing new areas for coal storage and ensuring their full accessibility to railway infrastructure. The implementation of paving works on an area of 100,000 sq m and major repairs of tracks with a total length of 1367 m have already been completed. By October this year, further areas for coal storage and handling - with an area of 81,000 sq m - are to be paved, and a 2072 m section of railway tracks is to be renovated. (...) Furthermore, the Port of Gdańsk, in cooperation with the operator, the Northern Port, which handles ore and coal at the ore pier, is trying to obtain permission to build another loading station for wagons so that the transport of goods from the port proceeds even more efficiently - the statement informed.

Photo: Borys Kozielski