Poland plans to invest 2.4 billion Polish złoty – around €562 million – in its maritime industry next year.
This is almost €94 million more than this year. According to Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka, this is a record budget. The sum is to be invested primarily in five major projects. These include the expansion of the port infrastructure in Świnoujście, including the container terminal being built.
The Polish government would also like to invest another part of the sum in the construction of two new ships. Firstly, in a successor to the training sailing ship “Dar Młodzieży” of the Maritime University of Gdynia. Secondly, the Szczecin Maritime University is to receive a new research vessel.
The Ministry of Finance is also providing funding for the construction of port infrastructure for an FSRU gas terminal in the Bay of Gdansk. The aim is to increase Poland’s energy security and cover up to 30% of the country’s annual gas requirements.
Poland is also investing in waterways
Poland is also investing some of the money in waterways. For example, a waterway is to be built to the port of Elbląg, which will make it possible to use the Vistula spit.
As part of the fifth project, access to the port of Szczecin is to be improved by building a so-called “passing point” on the waterway. This will enable large ships to travel to and from the port in both directions.
Donald Tusk announces “Polish Sea” program
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the implementation of the “Polish Sea” program back in May of this year. With this program, the government aims to promote the country’s maritime economy across all sectors. In addition to the construction of new ships and the expansion of port-related infrastructure, the Polish flag is also to be revived. Part of the program is also the targeted tripling of container handling in the ports of Gdańsk, Szczecin and Świnoujście.
As Prime Minister Tusk said in May, the maritime sector is to be strengthened “in the spirit of repolonization” – this is a strategy that the government is pursuing in all areas of investment. This means that contracts will be awarded to Polish companies wherever possible. Even if this is sometimes difficult, Polish suppliers and manufacturers are given preference. This also applies to shipbuilding.
