Road workers can learn from hydraulic engineers – expansion of Bytomskie Quay completed ahead of schedule
On 12 December 2025, a ceremony was held at the Port of Gdańsk to mark the completion of the expansion of Bytomskie Quay. The investment was co-financed by EU funds under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2). This is an important step in strengthening the position of the Port of Gdańsk in the TEN-T network and increasing its competitiveness in the maritime transport market.
The full name of the project is ‘Improving the Port of Gdańsk infrastructure and analysing the implementation of a low-carbon OPS system for the sustainable development of the TEN-T network’. The general contractor chosen was PORR S.A. According to the agreement signed in March 2024, the investment was to be completed by 19 February 2026, but the contractor delivered it nearly three months ahead of schedule. The value of the project was approximately PLN 43 million.
During the ceremony, Jacek Karnowski, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, emphasised that Poland continues to make poor use of some central EU funds, such as Horizon Europe, but excels at using the CEF programme.
‘Congratulations to the Ministry of Infrastructure, as seaports can effectively use these funds. Over the last 10 years, the Port of Gdańsk has obtained over PLN 1 billion from the CEF instrument. Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister, Kosiniak-Kamysz, and I were on the coast, and he said to me: “You really are making investments here”. And that’s true’, said Jacek Karnowski.
Greater operational capabilities
Thanks to this investment, Bytomskie Quay has gained the status of a multifunctional cargo handling quay, capable of handling much larger vessels than before. Prior to the reconstruction, the depth at the quay was approximately 6 m, which allowed ships up to 116 m in length and with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 7,000 DWT to moor there. These parameters have increased significantly following the modernisation.
‘The modernisation of Bytomskie Quay, located in the Inner Port, is of enormous and multidimensional importance for the functioning of the entire Port of Gdańsk. This is a project which, although it covers only one section of the infrastructure, affects the entire port layout, its capacity and development prospects’, said Dorota Pyć, President of the Port of Gdańsk. ‘The development of what is known as the old port is important today in the context of dynamically growing cargo handling volumes and changing market needs. This is where operations that require flexible, multifunctional and technically advanced infrastructure are centred. Such investments allow the Inner Port to become an increasingly strong link in the transport system, and help support the development of trade, industry and energy.’
After the reconstruction, the quay has become a universal handling facility, which opens up new opportunities for operators and logistics chains. The extended mooring line, stable structure and modern technical infrastructure significantly increase the port’s potential.
‘Thanks to the achieved depth of 10.2 m, it is possible to handle larger ships, and the safety of manoeuvring is also improved. Previously, vessels up to 116 m in length could moor here. Currently, we can handle ships up to 142 m long, 25 m wide and with four times the load capacity’, said Stefan Rudnik, Director of the Investment Department at the Port of Gdańsk.
New standard of port infrastructure
As part of the project, a 204-metre section of quay was constructed as a slab structure with a front sheet pile wall and a slab supported in a CFA pile grid. The facility is equipped with full technical infrastructure, with a permissible working load in the technical lane of 30 kN/m². Dredging works were also carried out, with cable, rainwater and water supply systems being installed. The whole is complemented by modern lighting on four 36-metre masts, which ensures safe operation, even in the case of limited visibility.
According to Piotr Kledzik, President of the Management Board of PORR S.A., no incidents threatening the safety of the people working there were reported during construction.
‘I am a co-founder of a construction safety association, and we want Polish construction to remain at the forefront of Europe. In terms of safety, we are better than 92% of European countries’, he said.
Operator wanted
The completion of the expansion of Bytomskie Quay coincided with pro-development activities concerning the development of adjacent port areas. The Port of Gdańsk is now facing the final stage – selecting an operator to conduct the handling activities, utilising the full potential of the new infrastructure. A tender procedure is currently underway for the lease of a developed property covering an area of over 5 ha, located at Ku Ujściu Street, with access to the quay. The deadline for submitting bids is 22 January 2026.
The expansion of Bytomskie Quay is not only about the improvement of the infrastructure, but also an investment in the future of the Polish maritime economy – in the development of the transport, trade and energy and raw material security of the country.
‘The investment was carried out thanks to EU funding, but also thanks to a significant contribution from the Port of Gdańsk Authority. These funds come from the profits we have generated, which as a company of a distinctive nature we reinvest in infrastructure development. This proves our responsible and long-term approach to port asset management’, said President Pyć.
This initiative opens up new investment opportunities and confirms the Port of Gdańsk’s ongoing efforts to increase its operational and economic potential.
‘The primary objective of the port is to create conditions conducive to commercial activity. By supporting business, we contribute to the financial stability of the state’, said Dorota Pyć.
