Concept for the construction of a logistics center at the Port of Gdynia

The dynamic development of trade observed in recent years, resulting in an increase in the volume of transported goods, has contributed to the development of logistics networks. Logistics centers are a key element of the modern structure of the European transport system. There are currently 120 of them, with the highest density located in Spain, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Both the costs and the scale of constructing logistics center infrastructure justify the need for their planning, coordination, and co-financing at the regional or national organizational level.

Poland’s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004, and the associated need to align the national transport system with the EU system, creates a need for the development of a transport layout based on a rational network of logistics centers.

Handling at the Port of Gdynia
The investment in a logistics center at the Gdynia port is directly linked to the estimated volume of cargo handled by the port. In 2010, an increase in dynamics to 29% and handling to 62,780 thousand tons was recorded. General cargo is playing an increasingly important role at the Port of Gdynia, with its level in 2011 reaching 9.6 million tons. In 2010, three major terminals, i.e., BCT (Baltic Container Terminal), DCT (Deepwater Container Terminal), and GCT (Gdynia Container Terminal), recorded container handling growth of 28.7%, 40.5%, and 23.7% respectively. It is also worth mentioning that the Baltic General Cargo Terminal recorded a 65% growth rate (at a low volume) in handled containers. The Port of Gdynia handled 15,911 thousand tons in 2011, compared to 14,375 thousand tons in 2010, 13,257 thousand tons in 2009, 15,475 thousand tons in 2008, and 17,025 thousand tons in 2007. This shows an upward trend in cargo turnover over the last few years. It was planned that by 2030, the area would be developed with container yards and warehouses. A significant change affecting the western part of the port is the relocation of the Ferry Terminal from the Hel Quay to Basin IV in the Eastern Port, which will contribute to acquiring a quay for handling general cargo. A complementary element to the above information is the construction of the Bulgarian Quay for handling ro-ro and containerized cargo. The beneficiary assumed that as a result of the investment, cargo handling by the western port would increase by approximately 19 million tons per year by 2030. Meanwhile, with a change in handling technologies in the eastern port, the potential obtained could be estimated at 20 million tons per year. This project did not go beyond the construction design phase, as the planned infrastructure solutions were not feasible due to terrain constraints. Therefore, one cannot speak of any further cohesive concept for the development of logistics areas. They will be developed in a fragmented manner and offered as market interest arises. (…)

Concept for the construction of a logistics center at the Port of Gdynia – PDF file for download