DCT Gdańsk to boost container capacity by 1.5 million TEU

The tender committee of the Port of Gdańsk Authority has announced that the lease for a new port area has been awarded to DCT Gdańsk S.A.

On 18 September 2020, the Port of Gdańsk Authority launched a tender procedure to select the lessees for a new port area that will be created within the boundaries of the Port in the Gdańsk Bay, and on 23 July 2021, the tender committee officially announced the lease had been awarded to DCT Gdańsk S.A.

DCT Gdańsk is the largest container terminal on the Baltic Sea. Since the start of its operations in 2007, two deep-water quays (T1 and T2 – launched in 2007 and 2016 respectively) have been built with a total capacity of 3 million TEU.

“From the terminal’s beginnings to becoming one of the 15 largest container terminals in Europe in 2020 – this significant milestone will be the next step in DCT Gdańsk’s history,” said the announcement.

With the construction of the new terminal, known as “Baltic Hub 3”, a third deep-water quay located at the new port area will be created, increasing the handling capacity of DCT Gdańsk by 1.5 million TEU, to 4.5 million TEU.

The investment is worth €450 million (US$530 million), all financed solely by DCT’s own funds and financing from external lenders, and the third deep-water quay will be 717-metre-long with a depth of 18 metres, while 360,000m² of yard will be built.

The Baltic Hub 3 project also involves the purchase of seven quay cranes that are able to handle the world’s largest vessels, and 20 semi-automated Rail Mounted Gantry cranes for the container yard, which will be remotely operated.

The construction is planned to start in the second quarter of 2022 and Baltic Hub 3 is scheduled to be operational by mid-2024.

Additionally, Baltic Hub Terminal 3 development will bring the latest low-carbon technology, according to CEO of DCT Gdańsk, Charles Baker, who said, “even the concrete used for construction will have a reduced carbon impact.”

When completed, DCT Gdańsk will be among the largest container terminals in Europe in terms of handling capacity and be able to continue serving and supporting the fast-growing Polish economy, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) and the Baltic countries, according to a statement.

“With the construction of Baltic Hub Terminal 3, Poland can continue to compete with western European ports such as Hamburg and Rotterdam,” highlighted Baker.

“Thanks to the expansion of the DCT terminal, the Port of Gdansk will maintain its leading position among the ports in the Baltic Sea,” pointed out Marek Gróbarczyk, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, who added that the development of the DCT Gdańsk “is not only development of the port itself, but also of its hinterland.”

Source : Container News