PKP & Gdańsk Port Expand Rail Access: Bolstering Baltic Freight Capacity

PKP Polish Railway Lines (PLK) and the Port of Gdańsk Authority have signed a pivotal agreement to significantly expand rail access to the port’s deep-water cargo terminals. This strategic collaboration aims to address critical infrastructure bottlenecks and enhance the logistical capabilities of one of the Baltic Sea’s most vital maritime gateways.

The agreement details the preparation of comprehensive documentation for both rail and road link expansions to the existing and future deep-water terminals situated in the Northern Port of Gdańsk. These terminals are the operational heart of the port, handling over 80% of its total cargo throughput. Facilities such as Naftoport, Gaspol, and the Northern Port itself are fundamental to Poland’s energy security. Concurrently, Baltic Hub’s role is crucial for the nation’s economic and logistical advancement, solidifying Gdańsk’s standing as a preeminent port on the Baltic Sea.

Strategic Impact and Operational Necessity

Dorota Pyć, President of the Port of Gdańsk, highlighted the pressing need for new rail infrastructure, stating, “The rapidly expanding Northern Port needs new rail infrastructure — additional tracks, sidings and greater capacity at the Northern Port station. The current network is already becoming a constraint on our development. Ports cannot grow independently of the rail network.” This sentiment underscores the strategic significance of the PLK and Port of Gdańsk Authority collaboration, which is designed to bolster the economy and national security by augmenting the logistical capacity of the Port of Gdańsk and the PLK-managed railway lines. In 2024 alone, the Port of Gdańsk managed an impressive 355,000 wagons, with all rail traffic to the deep-water section currently funnelling through a single bridge, a clear bottleneck.

Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, emphasized the critical role of seaports, stating, “The key role of seaports in the development of the Polish economy needs no explanation. To ensure they remain competitive, we must already plan further investments, including those aimed at improving capacity on railway lines.” The phased approach to this development will see a feasibility study completed between 2026 and 2027. This will be followed by the commencement of design documentation in 2028 (Stage II), paving the way for investment works related to the expansion of railway infrastructure by 2034 (Stage III). These works will encompass the modernisation and electrification of existing railway lines, alongside the construction of new sections to accommodate increased traffic volumes.

Industry Context

This development is a clear indicator of the strategic imperative for integrated, high-capacity rail-sea intermodal transport in European logistics. With a substantial investment of over PLN 3 billion (EUR 707.6 million) between 2019 and 2024, co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility, already channeled into improving rail access to the ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia, this latest agreement signifies a sustained commitment to enhancing freight capacity. The ability to handle more, longer, and heavier freight trains directly to quays is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of Polish ports and, by extension, the broader European supply chain in an increasingly demand-driven global market. CEOs of shipping lines, logistics providers, and cargo owners will view this as a positive development that reduces transit times and operational costs, while bolstering regional economic resilience.