Expansion of another quay in the port of Gdańsk underway

The coal quay in the inner port is set for reconstruction. On March 10, the management board of the port of Gdańsk authority (ZMPG S.A.) signed a contract with the general contractor, Budimex. This investment will significantly enhance the attractiveness of the inner port for logistics operators and transport companies.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 11.03.2025, 21:34 Reading time: 2 min

Meeting room with attendees and a Budimex banner beside the Port Gdańsk wall sign — fot. Port Gdańsk

In brief

The Port of Gdańsk Authority signed a contract on 10 March with Budimex for the reconstruction of Nabrzeże Węglowe (Coal Quay) in the Inner Port for PLN 127 million. The new quay in the Górniczy Basin will be 540 metres long and will be built in two stages of 252 metres and 294 metres, with dredging to a depth of 11.20 metres compared with the current roughly 8 metres. The reconstruction will adapt Nabrzeże Węglowe to ships with a draught of up to 10.60 metres and a deadweight of up to 100,000 DWT, as well as to cargo handling with LHM 550 and Mantsinen 300 machines. Completion of the investment is planned by the end of 2027.

The agreement was signed by the port of Gdańsk authority’s board: president Dorota Pyć, vice president for finance and security Alan Aleksandrowicz, and vice president for infrastructure Krzysztof Kaczmarek. Representing the general contractor, Budimex, was Antoni Ciepielewski.

This project is part of a broader initiative titled "Improvement of port of Gdańsk infrastructure along with the implementation analysis of the low-emission OPS system for the sustainable development of the TEN-T network," which is 85% co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF 2). The initiative includes the comprehensive reconstruction of nearly 2 km of quays in the inner port. The Rudowe III and Bytomskie quays are already undergoing modernization, with the Wiślane quay next in line.

Enhanced capabilities for larger vessels

The coal quay, located in the mining basin, has played a key role in handling bulk cargo for decades. The mining basin itself was constructed in the first half of the 20th century as a strategic hub for cargo transshipment, particularly for coal and metal ore exports. It served as a vital economic link between Upper Silesia, the Zagłębie region, and international markets.

Currently, due to its poor technical condition, parts of the coal quay are not operational for vessel handling and transshipment. Under the newly signed contract, a new 540-meter quay will be constructed using a slab-based structure. The work will be carried out in two phases: the first covering 252 meters, and the second extending to 294 meters. The quay will feature a reinforced concrete surface, railway tracks, and crane rails. It will also be equipped with 1,000 kN mooring bollards and specialized fendering systems.

The investment includes the construction of new water supply networks, a stormwater drainage system with pre-treatment facilities, and electrical infrastructure. Dredging works will deepen the waters alongside the quay to 11.20 meters, an improvement from the current depth of approximately 8 meters.

The primary objective is to enable cargo handling with self-propelled equipment such as the LHM 550 and Mantsinen 300, which is currently impossible due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure. Additionally, the quay will be adapted to accommodate vessels with a maximum draft of 10.60 meters and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of up to 100,000.

The total investment value is estimated at PLN 127 million, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier