Phase One expansion from June until September will create a 36 hectare site and 650m of quay dredged to 16.5m with backup storage for an initial 500,000 TEUs. DCT said demand will determine just when Second Phase construction, for another 500,000 TEUs will begin. A contract signed in 2003 by the Port of Gdansk and Britain’s DCT Gdansk consortium provides for a 710m long and 315m wide man-made base covering an area of 32 hectares, with sand being won by dredging.

Two berths were designed for the west side of a 40m wide quay, the first quay section being 385m long with 16.5m depth alongside and the second of 295m length with 13.5m of water. The area is protected by a concrete breakwater with a concrete surface.

Open container storage will be serviced by wheeled cranes. In addition to the two berths for container ships there will also be a Ro-Ro berth adding 160,000 freight units. Beside the quay are open container storage yards as well as a four-track rail link and an access road for trucks.

The quay, surfacing, buildings and rail facilities were all close to completion as MJ went to press. Also already on site were the first of three post-Panamax cranes with 52m outreach, which DCT general manager Fred Kamperman said will cope with 6,000 TEU + vessels. Two of five rubber tyred gantries from Liebherr were also already on site. More were due to arrive in time for the June opening.

By Tom Todd