Port of Gdańsk strengthens its leading position in Central and Eastern Europe through active participation in global port dialogue
Once again the Port of Gdańsk has confirmed its strong position on the international stage by participating in the prestigious Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum in Ningbo, China. This is one of the most important events in the global maritime industry, attended by thousands of participants every year, which has become a platform for sharing experiences, establishing relationships and setting directions for the development of global maritime trade.
Since 2016, the Port of Gdańsk has been participating in the forum as a regular and valued partner. However, this year’s participation had a special significance – the participants from Poland, led by Vice-President Krzysztof Kaczmarek, were awarded the prestigious Multilateral Friendly Ports Partnership award. This is not only a symbol of the lasting partnership with the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, but also confirmation of Gdańsk’s growing role in the global maritime network.
Nineteen years of partnership with Ningbo
The partnership between the Port of Gdańsk and the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has been thriving for almost two decades, based on an agreement signed in 2006. Over the years, both ports have developed dynamically and their relations have become strategic. Today’s partnership is not only an exchange of experience, but also a series of specific measures aimed at logistical and commercial integration between Europe and Asia.
During the forum, the participants from Poland were involved in numerous top-level events. Dominik Landa, Director of the Strategy and Development Department, mentioned in his speech the historical trade routes connecting the Far East with Europe – the Amber and Silk Routes – indicating their modern equivalents and the role of Gdańsk in this system.
Krzysztof Kaczmarek actively participated in discussion panels and, during the round table, presented his vision for the development of the Port of Gdańsk as a key logistics hub in the CEE region. Michał Stupak made an important contribution to the panel on shipping connections and logistics by presenting a model of partnership between ports and operators.
Gdańsk currently operates 4 direct container connections with Ningbo-Zhoushan: MSC ALBATROS, MSC BRITANNIA, AEU1 (Ocean Alliance) and CMA-CGM FAL1. The GEMINI shuttle service, operated by MAERSK and MSC, completes this connection.
Meetings with industry giants
The visit to China was full of meetings with the most important companies in the maritime and automotive industries. The Port of Gdańsk representatives held talks with people like the executives from COSCO, Ocean Network Express and Chipolbrok. Particularly important was the meeting with COSCO, one of the world’s largest container operators, which has maintained a direct connection with Gdańsk since 2017.
‘Meetings with shipowners are a key element of our presence in China. COSCO is a strategic partner. Their fleet calls at over 600 ports in 150 countries, and Gdańsk is proud to be one of them’, stated Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Vice President of the Port of Gdańsk.
Our representatives also visited the Port of Gdańsk’s office in Shanghai and the Meishan container terminal, one of the largest in the world, handling over 11 million TEU per year.
These visits are an important part of building the Port of Gdańsk brand in Asia, but they are also concrete steps towards establishing modern trade routes, strengthening international partnerships and further development.
‘Our strategy is based on long-term presence in Asian markets and active participation in global dialogue. We want to be the partner of choice for shipowners, investors and logistics operators – not only in Europe, but all over the world’, stated Kaczmarek.
