Port of Gdańsk Signs Landmark Contract for Modernization of Vistula Quay

The agreement was signed at the Port of Gdańsk Authority (ZMPG S.A.) headquarters by Dorota Pyć, President of the Management Board, and Alan Aleksandrowicz, Vice President for Finance and Security, alongside Angelika Cieślowska, CEO of DORACO, and Jacek Kamiński, Vice President of the DORACO Management Board. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka, who emphasized the strategic nature of the project:

- This type of investment is necessary and justified, and the government will support initiatives that strengthen the potential of Polish seaports. I am hopeful we will see visible results in the coming months, translating into higher throughput and increased capacity for the Port of Gdańsk.

Modern Logistics, Greener Infrastructure

The modernization of Vistula Quay is a pivotal element of the Port of Gdańsk’s strategic development plan, aimed at increasing cargo handling efficiency, improving safety, and enabling integration of green technologies.

- We are building the resilience of the Port of Gdańsk through targeted investments. The Vistula Quay upgrade not only increases handling capacity but also prepares our infrastructure for low-emission technologies, aligning us with modern logistics requirements and EU goals, said Dorota Pyć, President of the Port of Gdańsk Authority.

Post-upgrade, the quay will accommodate deep-sea vessels with a deadweight of up to 100,000 tonnes and a maximum draft of 10.6 meters.

Three-Stage Redevelopment: Scope and Objectives

The investment consists of three complementary components:

1. Expansion of Vistula Quay

This task is part of a broader EU co-financed project under the "Connecting Europe Facility" (CEF 2), aimed at modernizing nearly 2 km of Inner Port quays. The Vistula Quay segment will include:

• Construction of a 920-meter quay structure with a technical depth of 12.0 meters,
• Installation of crane rails and power supply systems for heavy port equipment,
• New surface paving, lighting, water and sewage systems,
• Railway track integration and mooring/fender systems.

The new infrastructure will support larger vessels and allow for mobile crane operations, significantly boosting cargo throughput.

2. Upgrade of Rail-Road Infrastructure for Sugar Terminal

Adjacent to the quay, a specialized terminal will be built to handle sugar imports and exports. Key features include:

• A restructured road and rail network tailored to bulk sugar logistics,
• Facilities for unloading specialized sugar containers, storage, repackaging, and vessel loading (including BIBO ships),
• Power infrastructure via a new substation, and high-precision weighing systems.

3. Traffic and Logistics Optimization

This component involves redevelopment of the junction area between Chodackiego, Handlowa, and Starowiślna Streets. Works will include:

• Construction of a maneuvering and parking yard,
• Adaptation of road surfaces to expected freight loads,
• Development of a new port security post, gas network modifications, and implementation of a permanent traffic control system.

Operations Continuity & Environmental Oversight

DORACO, an experienced Polish marine contractor with over 30 years in hydrotechnical projects, has committed to phased implementation of the works, ensuring uninterrupted cargo operations throughout the construction period.

Preliminary site investigations will include detection and removal of any ferromagnetic objects or unexploded ordnance from WWII. The project will be executed under full archaeological supervision and in line with stringent environmental protection standards.

- From today, the pulse of DORACO beats in sync with the modernization schedule of Vistula Quay, remarked Angelika Cieślowska, CEO of DORACO. - This contract is a milestone in our maritime portfolio, enabling us to leverage our hydrotechnical expertise while contributing to Poland’s economic security and food supply chain. This quay will not only serve today’s needs, but shape the maritime future of our country for decades to come.

Enhancing Regional and European Connectivity

The Vistula Quay serves several major operators, including Port Gdański Eksploatacja, the National Food Group’s Sugar Terminal, and Speed. The redevelopment is expected to significantly increase cargo handling volumes and boost the Port’s position as a key logistics and energy node in the Baltic and Central-Eastern Europe.

This investment reaffirms the Port of Gdańsk’s role as a resilient, future-ready transport hub within the TEN-T core network – meeting the evolving demands of global trade and climate-focused policy.