DCT Gdansk selects T3 contractors

DCT Gdansk, the operator of the largest container terminal on the Baltic Sea, has signed a contract with the consortium of Budimex S.A. and Dredging International NV for the construction of the third deep-water quay – known as T3. Construction work is expected to start in early September – after the end of the holiday season.

T3 involves the construction of a deep-water quay with a length of 717m, a depth of 17.5m and an area of 36.5-ha. In addition, 7 quay cranes capable of loading and unloading the largest vessels in the world and 20 semi-automatic RMG cranes to operate in the container yard will be purchased. When completed, T3 DCT Gdansk will become one of the largest container terminals in Europe, capable of handling a new generation of container vessels to arrive in the Baltic Sea, reducing shipping distances for inbound vessels and providing Polish and regional shippers with more connections around the world and efficient services.

Budimex S.A. is one of the largest construction groups in Poland, with a history lasting over 50 years and dozens of completed and delivered industrial projects. As a general contractor, it offers services in sectors such as road, rail and airport infrastructure as well as energy and sustainable construction with environmentally friendly solutions.

Dredging International NV is a global leader in seabed dredging, marine energy solutions, infrastructure and environmental projects. As part of the construction of T3, the company is to lead the dredging and reclamation works to create a 36-hectare platform that will form the basis of the new terminal. Dredging and reclamation works begin in September this year, followed by the construction of the north and south walls and the main quay in early 2023.

T3 is scheduled to open for commercial operations at the end of the first half of 2024, with full project completion in the second quarter of 2025.

"During construction, we of course take all the necessary precautionary measures to protect the environment, marine life and habitats in the area affected by the project. When completed, the terminal will be the most modern facility of its kind in the Baltic Sea, reflecting our commitment to sustainable investment and operations by reducing CO2 emissions both during construction and with the equipment we use for future operations,” said Charles Baker, Managing Director of DCT Gdansk.

In the first phase, the new terminal will increase the DCT Gdansk handling capacity by 1.7 million TEUs to 4.5 million TEUs (20-foot containers) per year. Upon completion of T3, DCT Gdansk will become one of the largest container terminals in Europe, continuing to serve the CEE, Baltic countries and international trade markets as well as supporting the Polish economy. The investment also means a significant enrichment of the services offered to DCT Gdansk's customers and an impulse to attract new services and shipping alliances.

"The start of construction works at T3 marks the beginning of a new era in container handling in the Baltic. This pioneering journey began at DCT Gdansk 15 years ago. We are proud of our achievements to date and grateful to our customers, employees and all other stakeholders for the faith and loyalty they have shown us. T3 is a natural step in our true journey towards The Baltic Hub,” said Charles Baker.

"Budimex will complete another internationally strategic investment task as part of a consortium with a Belgian company, DREDGING INTERNATIONAL N.V. The expansion of the DCT Gdansk container terminal by the next T3 stage will allow DCT Gdansk, the largest container terminal on the Baltic Sea, to increase its handling capacity by 1.7 million TEU. The contract provides for carrying out the works under the 'Design and Build' formula. Construction work commences as soon as possible after obtaining all client approvals for the documentation as presented by the consortium and within the time frame envisaged in the Environmental Decision for this investment, i.e. after 01/09/2022. Until then, intensive design work continues in the field of hydraulic engineering and dredging. The construction itself involves dredging works of more than 4 million cubic metres and the construction of a mooring line of a length more than 700 metres. The T3 terminal itself will have a surface area of more than 360,000 m2, an operational depth of 17 m and will be semi-automatic, which is a novelty in Poland and a current trend in the world. What is also worth highlighting is that the agreement provides for the terminal to be made available to the client in stages, so that transshipment operations can be carried out in parallel to the construction. At the time of completion, more than 50% of the terminal's area will already be used by the client for commercial activities," said Artur Popko, President of Budimex S.A.

About DCT Gdansk:

DCT Gdansk was launched in 2007 and has a handling capacity of up to 3 million TEUs per year. The total length of the terminal's two deep-water berths is 1.3 km, allowing it to handle 4 vessels simultaneously. The terminal handles more than 600 vessels per year, including 100 visits by the world's largest container ships.

In 2021 DCT Gdansk handled more than 2.09 million TEUs. On 8 April 2021, it reached 15 million TEUs, which is the total throughput handled since the terminal's inception.

DCT employs over 1,000 people, more than 50 per cent of whom live in and around Gdansk. The terminal has a direct and significant impact on the regional and national economy, generating more than PLN 12 billion a year for the state budget from VAT, excise and customs duties.

The terminal is owned by PSA International (40%), the Polish Development Fund (30%) and IFM Global Infrastructure Fund, advised by IFM Investors (30%). PSA International is a leading global port group and a trusted partner for cargo operators worldwide. PSA has flagship facilities located in Singapore and Antwerp, while PSA's global network includes more than 50 locations in 26 countries worldwide. The Polish Development Fund Group (PFR) is a group of financial institutions offering development instruments to businesses, local governments and individuals investing in sustainable socio-economic development. IFM Investors is a global institutional fund management company with assets of USD 118 billion as of 31 March 2021.