Structural Development of Polish Seaports the Light of Changes in the Baltic Transport Market

Abstract

The article presents the most important trends and tendencies in the development of Polish seaports, together with their expected structural changes. It generally discusses current and planned cargo turnover and the growth of passenger traffic. More attention has been given to implemented and planned investments setting direction for the further development of technical capacity and transport infrastructure, together with future capabilities (abilities) of ports’ transshipment in relation with fore-land and hinterland. The article also highlights expected cargo turnover of the main Polish ports in 2020 estimated on basis of the current pace of turnover development and forecasts of further changes of individual groups of cargo turnover until 2020 and 2030, taking into the account future economic conditions of the country. The further part of the article is devoted to the expected changes in the area of sea transport, the most growing cargo groups, increase in the ships’ size, turnover in the Baltic sea ports as well as changes in the role and importance of individual ports on the Baltic transport market. All issues characterizing the development of Polish sea ports were discussed in terms of ongoing and future changes in the Baltic transport sector. Current forecasts of the cargo volumes transported by sea and development of cargo turnover in the Baltic sea ports are especially highlighted.