Baltic Container Terminal, Gdynia delivers Phase 1 quay upgrade; Phase 2 to unlock major benefits

The MSC Rose, which operates MSC’s Britannia Ocean Service, docks alongside BCT’s Helskie Quay following the completion of Phase 1 works.

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), Gdynia, acting in coordination with the Port of Gdynia Authority, has completed Phase 1 of a two-phase major upgrade of its Helskie Quay.

The project, implemented over 400 meters of quay line, represent an important step in the Port of Gdynia’s goal to accommodate larger vessels. This objective will become a reality this September with the commissioning of 100 meters of the additional 400 meters to be upgraded under Phase 2 works, as well as the entry into service of a newly expanded turning basin. At this stage, vessels with 14.7-meter draft and 400-meter length overall will be able to call at BCT.

Phase 1 works saw the construction of 400 meters of quay with a depth alongside of 15.5 meters and complementary works entailing the installation of a new third rail to accommodate wider span cranes, new hydrotechnical structures, roads and utility networks.

With an investment cost of USD42 million, Phase 1’s development program was completed on schedule under complex operational and environmental conditions.

“The completion of Phase 1 of our development program lays the foundation from which major benefits will be made available to clients,” explained Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer.

“With the realization of Phase 2, there will be a comprehensive upgrade of BCT’s operational capabilities, particularly in terms of vessel accommodation and overall throughput potential. Phase 2’s completion will be accompanied by the delivery of either two or four new super post-Panamax quay cranes, which will significantly increase the berthing and operational capacities of the quay. The cranes are also expected to raise BCT’s annual berth handling capacity to between 1.2 million and 1.6 million TEUs depending on the final configuration,” he elaborated further.

Complementary investments - added benefits

The total investment under Phases 1 and 2 is expected to exceed USD84 million, with Phase 2 scheduled for completion by end of Q2 2026.

Like Phase 1, the second phase works will include the demolition and reconstruction of additional quay sections, new crane tracks, heavy duty surfaces and the installation of modern utility and hydrotechnical infrastructure.

There are also complementary investments in the pipeline. BCT will implement the Navis N4 4 Terminal Operating System in October this year, which will, in turn, facilitate the introduction of an appointment system for truck drivers. The booking-based operational logic will enhance planning accuracy and process efficiency. The terminal’s automated gate system will be configured as part of this initiative.

Looking further ahead, the introduction of N4  4 also provides the opportunity to introduce advanced optimization tools such as Prime Route (for optimized internal container transport) and Expert Docking (for intelligent container stacking and retrieval actions).

The Port Authority of Gdynia is also formulating a tender, to be launched in Q3 2025, to implement a new internal road to connect a nine-hectare storage yard with Helskie Quay. Connection to this facility will boost container storage capacity, with all construction works expected to be completed in 2026.

BCT is already benefiting from the recent construction of the Gdynia Port Rail Station, which has raised capacity and overall efficiency. Congestion-related train stoppages have been practically eliminated and measurable improvements in transit times and punctuality are a daily reality.

In 2024, 17 percent of BCT’s annual container volume was moved by rail, comprising nearly 100,000 TEUs. The figure is expected to climb, facilitated by the development program, as is overall annual throughput, which in 2024 amounted to 560,000 TEUs.

Commenting on the overall development Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI senior vice president and EMEA region head, noted: “We are pleased to have successfully worked with the Port of Authority of Gdynia to realize BCT’s Phase 1 development. Phase 2 will follow swiftly, putting BCT and the Port of Gdynia in a strong position to consolidate and expand traffic volume across the board – deep-sea, short-sea and feeder.

“Working with the Port Authority of Gdynia, ICTSI will soon deliver to the market a fully modernized terminal offering efficiencies that feed along the supply chain and promote a comprehensive, sustainable approach.”

Liner service profile

BCT’s development program will particularly open opportunities in conjunction with deep-sea liner services, although it should be noted that is already active in this sector with MSC’s Britannia Service that directly links Asia and Northern Europe. This service was officially launched on April 9 with the arrival of the MSC Rose.

Also calling BCT is MSC’s relaunched Ecuador – NWC & Scanbaltic – USA service. The service operates with vessels offering capacities ranging from 4,100 to 8,800 TEUs and a high reefer capacity of 1,150 to 1,300 plugs.

In the short-sea sector, where BCT serves a range of shipping lines, a relatively new caller is VIA SEA, which operates the weekly service POL – LT – NO – UK – NL – NO.