Strategic Alliance of Polish Seaports: A New Era of Competitiveness, Resilience and Growth

On June 24, 2025, the four Polish seaports of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Świnoujście – all designated as ports of fundamental importance to the national economy – signed a Landmark Cooperation Agreement aimed at strengthening their role in the European and global transport and logistics networks.

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Today   |   13:38   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Port Gdańsk

The agreement opens the door to joint initiatives focused on competitiveness, port infrastructure, innovation, resilience, and security, while laying a foundation for coordinated strategic engagement in both national and international frameworks.

– This is about smart cooperation, said Arkadiusz Marchewka, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, during the opening of the Polish Ports 2030 Congress. - Healthy competition remains essential, but stronger collaboration will make the Polish voice more influential on the international stage and help us reach new customers with a more attractive offer.

Unified Vision, Strategic Objectives

The cooperation framework targets key priorities: sustainable port development, transport accessibility, technological modernization, and advocacy at the EU level. With ports facing complex challenges in an increasingly interconnected and turbulent global economy, the alliance responds with coordinated strategic action.

– We must align our positions on key issues like sustainable growth and the blue economy to enhance efficiency and harmonize standards, noted Dorota Pyć, CEO of the Port of Gdańsk Authority. - Working together is more crucial than ever in the face of geopolitical and economic volatility.

– Strong ports mean a strong state – that’s not just a slogan, it's an economic and security reality, added Piotr Gorzeński, CEO of the Port of Gdynia. - Joint actions will help us secure long-term influence within the European transport ecosystem.

Looking to 2060: Long-Term Roadmap

A core element of the agreement is the joint creation of a “Polish Seaport Development Program until 2035 with a vision to 2060.” This long-term strategy will prioritize:

• Critical infrastructure investments (e.g., the Red Road in Gdynia, new Island Port link in Gdańsk, modernization of rail line 201 and the Nadodrzanka corridor)
• Southern European connections
• Integration with the Rail Baltica network

Port authorities have also agreed to explore the implementation of a unified methodology for rail infrastructure access charges – a move that could simplify operations for logistics operators.

Green Transition and Renewable Energy Infrastructure

The agreement places strong emphasis on energy transition. Signatories will jointly support the development of renewable energy facilities, including production, conversion, and storage infrastructure within port areas. Other key actions include:

• Deployment of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems for ships
• Establishment of alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure (LNG, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia)
• Legislative advocacy to remove regulatory barriers to green energy investments

Digital Transformation and Customs Innovation

Digitalisation is a critical pillar of the alliance. Ports will enhance their Port Community Systems (PCS), integrate with EU-wide IT solutions – particularly the European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) – and introduce modern tools for managing maritime, rail, and road traffic as well as cargo processing.

AI-based tools will be implemented to combat customs fraud and optimize clearance procedures. The development of a national Customs Time Monitoring System is also in the pipeline, supporting tighter cooperation with border authorities.

– We aim to create the ports of the future – smart, sustainable, and fully integrated with European and domestic logistics corridors, said Jarosław Siergiej, CEO of the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority. - One of our shared goals is the acceleration of strategic infrastructure projects and harmonization of digital systems.

Boosting Investment and Legal Clarity

To enhance investment attractiveness, the ports will coordinate changes in spatial development plans, align strategic documents, and offer long-term lease agreements (minimum 30 years) to incentivize private capital inflows.

In addition, the ports intend to push for improved legislative clarity and remove administrative bottlenecks, fostering a more efficient, transparent business environment within maritime logistics.

Poland Sends a Clear Signal to the Baltic and CEE Region

This agreement marks a milestone in the integration of the Polish maritime sector and a strong message to the international community: Poland is ready to lead as a key logistics and transport player in the Baltic Sea and Central and Eastern Europe.

With shared strategy, coordinated investment, and unified representation in EU forums, Polish seaports are poised to evolve into future-proof, digitally mature and climate-resilient logistics hubs for decades to come.

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