DORACO Completes First Phase of Helskie Quay Reconstruction at Gdynia Port

This marks another step toward transforming Gdynia Port into a modern, competitive transshipment hub in the Baltic region. The 17-month effort by DORACO included constructing a new 400-meter quay with a technical depth of 15.5 meters and a 1,171-meter crane track. The project delivered hydrotechnical structures with a quay slab and fittings, concrete-paved road infrastructure, sanitary networks (water supply, stormwater drainage, and sewage), and a new electrical grid. The build required 4,500 tons of steel and nearly 15,000 cubic meters of structural concrete.

- The construction proceeded alongside full operations at the Baltic Container Terminal, demanding exceptional precision and coordination, said Piotr Siemaszko, Director of Hydrotechnical Division at DORACO. - We introduced innovative technologies, including a pioneering sealing method to manage artesian water outflow and protect against potential groundwater pressure breaches, accelerating the timeline while enhancing structural safety.

Works were closely aligned with terminal users, ensuring uninterrupted cargo handling and port safety. Challenges included operating on an active quay under complex hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions, with fluctuating water levels and logistical constraints tied to vessel mooring and maneuvers.

- Coordinating these activities required advanced logistical and organizational skills to maintain port operations while ensuring construction safety and efficiency, noted Adam Mańka, Contract Director at DORACO.

Divers played a critical role, assisting with demolition, piling, reinforced concrete, sanitary, and equipment works. They monitored for unintended groundwater breaches during piling for the combined wall system and concrete spillage during underwater pours.

The next phase involves demolishing Helskie Quay II and Oksywie Quay, followed by constructing a new quay section with hydrotechnical fittings—mooring bollards, fenders, curbs, ladders, and life-saving stands. Additional crane tracks, a surface with a 40kN/m² load capacity, water and sewage networks, electrical and telecommunication systems, and above- and below-ground infrastructure will also be built. Works will encompass demolition, piling, concrete, surfacing, sanitary, electrical, and dredging tasks, with completion targeted for Q3 2026.

The project aims to adapt Gdynia Port’s infrastructure for larger vessels, improve navigation and safety conditions, and boost transshipment capacity. This initiative strengthens Poland’s economic competitiveness by enhancing waterborne trade infrastructure, solidifying its position on Europe’s logistics map.