Gateway to the Baltic: Elbląg Moves Forward with Modular, Multimodal Port Expansion

The Port of Elbląg has entered a decisive phase of its infrastructural transformation. The city has officially announced the winner of a design competition for the conceptual masterplan of a new T2 port terminal at Żytnia Street and the expansion and modernization of the existing terminal at Radomska Street. The project, titled “Gateway to the Baltic”, envisions a modular, multimodal logistics hub designed to strengthen the port’s competitive position in the southern Baltic region.

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Today   |   07:17   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. UM Elbląg

The investment will be co-financed under the European Funds for Warmia and Mazury 2021–2027 programme. In November last year, the European Commission approved nearly EUR 40 million (approx. PLN 200 million) in funding for port and port-related infrastructure in Elbląg.

Winning concept: functionality and financial feasibility

Three bids were submitted in the competition organized by the City of Elbląg. The jury selected the proposal developed jointly by WSP Polska and WXCA GROUP, highlighting its operational functionality, efficient land use and realistic financial framework.

During the official briefing, Mayor Michał Missan emphasized the strategic importance of the project:

- It is a milestone not only in the development of the port, but also in the development of the city and the region. I have repeatedly stated that investments in modern port infrastructure are the strongest development impulse for the city in the last 50 years, since 1975, when the Elbląg voivodeship was established. We hope to make the most of this opportunity. Today we are closer to this crucial investment. Importantly, this PLN 200 million component is part of nearly PLN 1 billion that will be invested during this term in the economic and social development of our city. I congratulate the authors of the winning concept and thank the competition jury for their work.

Jakub Brdak, Chairman of the Competition Jury, added:

- I would like to thank the organizer and participants for their commitment. The submitted works were of very high quality. We truly had a choice to make, which is not always obvious in such competitions. Congratulations to the winners.

30 hectares of new port space

The concept provides for the development of approximately 30 hectares of new port areas at Żytnia Street. The project includes:

• construction of reinforced quays,
• heavy-duty pavements suitable for high tonnage,
• new storage yards,
• a railway siding running along the entire quay,
• a high-bay warehouse with flexible zoning.

The designed quay will accommodate four vessels simultaneously, each up to 100 meters in length, 20 meters in beam and 4.5 meters in draft. Direct ship-to-rail operations will be enabled, supported by a technical road for mobile cranes and road transport.

The terminal is also designed to handle oversized and heavy cargo, opening opportunities for metallurgy, energy, offshore, machinery and infrastructure sectors.

Modularity as a strategic principle

A core design principle is modularity, allowing future reconfiguration of storage yards and operational zones without costly structural interventions.

Krzysztof Bielazik from WSP Polska explained:

- Our concept was based on sustainable development and a forward-looking idea that the port’s functionality should adapt to various storage and operational functions. The project is built on modularity and easy transformation of storage yards. We also aimed at harmony between the city and nature. We wanted to combine all these elements. We thank the organizer for the excellent preparation of the competition.

Marcin Kitala from WXCA GROUP noted:

- It was not an easy task, but a very interesting one. The concept was prepared by a team of several dozen specialists. We are very pleased to have won and that there is a real chance for such a port to be built in Elbląg.

The Vistula Spit Canal is a strategic game changer

The expansion of the Port of Elbląg must be viewed in direct connection with the construction of the Vistula Spit Canal, which provides independent access from the Vistula Lagoon to the Baltic Sea.

For decades, access to open waters depended on the Pilawa Strait, located in Russian territory. The new waterway fundamentally alters the port’s geopolitical and economic position.

Senator Jerzy Wcisła underlined this strategic dimension:

“The idea of building a second transshipment quay results from the fact that Elbląg is gaining direct access to the sea. We had to fight for several years to make it possible, but the most important thing is that we now have the funds. In two years, when the waterway is completed, vessels will be able to enter here, and I am convinced that this port will have customers.”

The canal and the port expansion form a mutually reinforcing system: maritime access without modern cargo-handling infrastructure would limit economic benefits, while new terminals without open sea access would not unlock their full potential.

Road infrastructure and timeline

The investment also includes upgrades to road infrastructure, notably the modernization of Mazurska Street and the construction of two roundabouts connecting the EU Route with Radomska Street.

Marshal of the Warmia-Mazury Region Marcin Kuchciński stated:

- During yesterday’s meeting of the Regional Board, we adopted several resolutions concerning the Port of Elbląg, including consent to sign two preliminary agreements related to the road and port components. Work is progressing in parallel both in the implementation and formal funding areas.

Applications for road component funding are planned for September this year, while funding applications for the Żytnia terminal and Radomska expansion are expected next year. Completion of the entire programme is scheduled for 2029.

If delivered according to schedule, the “Gateway to the Baltic” project may position Elbląg as a flexible, regional multimodal node capable of serving diversified cargo streams in the southern Baltic Sea basin.

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Port Morski w Elblągu Przekop Mierzei Wiślanej Rozbudowa portu Elbląg 2026-2029 Infrastruktura portowa Polska Fundusze UE Warmia i Mazury 2021-2027

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