Krzysztof Kaczmarek, the president of the Port of Gdansk, has inked two agreements with PORR S.A. to enhance Rudowe and Bytomskie Quays.
The combined length of these quays slated for reconstruction exceeds 450 meters. This initiative forms part of a broader project co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027 (CEF 2), aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of the Port of Gdansk by enhancing cargo handling capacity and overall throughput.
The European Union’s contribution to the project ‘Improving the Port of Gdańsk infrastructure with an analysis of the implementation of a low-carbon OPS system for the sustainable development network, TEN-T’ amounts to nearly US$108 million.
Furthermore, this initiative entails the reconstruction of four quays within the Inner Port, spanning a total length of 1,916 meters, along with the requisite underground and rail infrastructure. The initial focus is on rejuvenating Bytomskie Quay, situated along the Port Channel, and Rudowe Quay, nestled in the Mining Basin. Upgrades for Wiślane and Węglowe Quays are anticipated for a later phase, pending completion of tender procedures.
The total contract value for the construction works signed stands at US$35 million gross. Of this sum, US$12 million is allocated for Bytomskie Quay and US$23 million for Rudowe Quay. The investment is expected to be completed in less than two years.
“These are old and worn-out structures. Rudowe Quay was built over 80 years ago, between the late 1930s and the early 1940s. It has only undergone ad hoc renovations. Due to its poor technical condition (including the sheet piles), part of the quay was closed for ship handling and cargo handling in 2019. Bytomskie Quay is slightly newer, as the slab section, which is currently in operation, was built almost 60 years ago,” stated Stefan Rudnik, director of the Investment Division of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA.
According to a statement, the forthcoming expansion of Rudowe Quay III will encompass a 232.5-meter section along with an additional 18-meter segment of Administracyjne Quay. The project entails the construction of a new quay characterized by a slab structure supported by a framework of reinforced concrete piles, complemented by steel combined sheet piles at the forefront. Moreover, the quay will integrate a 265-meter rail track. Concurrently, dredging operations will deepen a section of the Mining Basin to 11.20 meters, contrasting with the current depth ranging between 6.1 and 10.2 meters.
“The quay will have a higher load-bearing capacity and will be adapted to carry out cargo handling with the largest self-propelled LHM 550 and Mantsinen 300 cranes. Thanks to the deepening of part of the basin, ships with a maximum draught of 10.60 m and a load-bearing capacity of up to 35,000 DWT will be able to berth there,” commented Artur Dziambor, a spokesperson of the Polish port.
In contrast to Rudowe Quay, Bytomskie Quay currently serves ship and cargo handling operations. However, due to the inadequate technical state of its existing slab and sloping sections, and to accommodate larger vessels, ZMPG has opted to undergo reconstruction. The project involves upgrading two sections: the approximately 143-meter-long slab segment and the 60-meter-long sloping segment.
Through this endeavour, the quay will be extended to 203 meters through land reclamation of the 60-meter sloping section. Similar to Rudowe Quay, the new Bytom Quay will feature a slab structure supported by reinforced concrete piles and steel combined sheet piles at the forefront.
Additionally, the quay will incorporate a cement concrete surface fortified with dispersed reinforcement. Dredging activities will deepen the quay section to 10.20 meters (currently around 6 meters), facilitating berthing for ships of up to 7,000 DWT and 120 meters in length. Subsequently, adaptation of the quay to handle vessels of up to 15,000 DWT and 145 meters in length will be feasible following the removal of the mooring dolphin and communication pier of the existing mooring dolphin handling station.
Both quays will witness the establishment of new water supply networks, rainwater sewage systems with purification facilities, electricity grids, and energy-efficient lighting.
Furthermore, the quays will be equipped with point fenders and 100T mooring bollards. The construction of the quays will be primed for subsequent implementation of onshore power supply for ships during berthing, known as OPS.
