History

DCT Gdansk is the only container terminal of its kind in the Baltic Sea. Becoming fully operational in October 2007, the terminal has successfully completed its first phase of development and is currently helping its customers to further unlock the Baltic region’s potential.

The concept for the Gdansk based terminal began in the late 90’s to address the ever growing potential of the Baltic’s deep-sea trading routes. DCT Gdansk was selected by the Port of Gdansk to design, construct and operate a new independent deep-sea container port that will be the largest of its kind in the Baltic. The port of Gdansk offers a number of unique advantages as a location with deep-sea direct access to the Baltic for “Baltimax” size vessels, 24 hour access at all times due to no tide and remains ice-free throughout the winter, unlike most Baltic ports. Progressive globalization and changes in the world economies are the trigger factors for the increased volume of containerised transport that is demanding alterations in global logistics. Increased demand for consumer goods in Poland and trade with other EU countries has highlighted the need for a modern, deep-sea container terminal. DCT Gdansk is aiming to meet those needs by its investment in infrastructure and equipment to provide modern inter-modal facilities with higher service quality. DCT Gdansk is a Polish registered company, majority owned by GIF II (Global Infrastructure Fund II), a fund managed by a member of the Macquarie Group of Companies, headquartered in Australia.

Construction of the terminal began in October 2005 and involved the cooperation of experienced Polish, Dutch and German companies in its realisation. There are four phases of development envisaged for DCT Gdansk. The first phase included the construction of an artificial “box” pier 800 metres long by 315 metres wide, reclaiming the land out to sea. DCT Gdansk’s quay length of 650 metres has up to 16.5 metres depth alongside, deeper than any other Baltic Sea container terminal. The deepest draught of a vessel accessing the Baltic is 15m, “Baltimax” vessel size. With a 10% under-keel allowance for the “Baltimax” vessel, the 16.5 metre maximum depth alongside places DCT in a position to cater for these vessels. The sand used to fill the “box” was dredged from beside the box, instead of bringing it in from a distance, thus achieving the “Baltimax” draught depth the berth. An amount of over 5 million cubic meters of sand was shifted.

Modern technology and methods were used in the first phase of construction, with over 400 people involved at peak times.  As a first for Poland, steel that is highly resistant to corrosion, was used in large quantities for the construction of the terminal. A multifunction elevated platform was brought to Poland and used for piling work in the construction of the pier. This platform proved invaluable by allowing work to be carried out, irrespective of the weather and sea conditions, with absolute precision and relentless speed which led to the completion of 800 metres of  the berth within 3 months. Completion of the first phase took place on the 1st of October 2007, exactly 24 months  after construction commenced. The result was the creation and delivery of a state of the art deep-sea container terminal facility with a current estimated minimum capacity of 500,000 TEU per annum and a roll-on roll-off berth with an additional capacity of 160,000 freight units. DCT Gdansk’s three post-Panamax gantry cranes are able to work vessels carrying containers 18-across on deck.

 As a deep-sea container terminal, DCT Gdansk is ready to handle feeder vessels, large container vessels and car vessels serving the Baltic. The terminal provides perfect conditions to serve as a transhipment hub to St. Petersburg and the rest of the Baltic and European regions. It is expected that it will not be long before direct calls start to feature for these vessels and feeders which are now becoming too large for other Polish terminals. DCT Gdansk’s inter-modal capabilities provide its customers with a reliable and accessible gateway through which cargo is passed from ship to fast inland transportation – using any combination of  road, rail or water resources.

The new container terminal received its first vessel on the 1st of June 2007. The grand opening celebration took place on the 3rd of October 2007 and in a period of less than a year of activity, DCT Gdansk acquired the cooperation of the largest shipping line in the world  and many important customers too. At present the terminal is cooperating with a dozen shipping lines, 250 freight forwarders and two leading rail operators. DCT Gdansk continues to be open to cooperating with other shipping lines, freight forwarders and rail operators.

Further more, the project for the back-up facilities in the immediate vicinity are in progress. The Pomeranian Logistics Centre, a major logistics and distribution park is now in the planning stage, will support and enhance the reality that DCT Gdansk is the ideal gateway, today and for the future, to Poland and Central East Europe.