On 7 and 8 May the EU Port community is gathering in Gdańsk for the 22nd edition of the ESPO Annual Conference. Time to meet Dorota Pyć, President of the Board (CEO) of the Port of Gdańsk. In the following sections, you will read more about how the Port of Gdańsk is evolving and how the geopolitics is impacting its operations, investments and future strategies. Discover more fascinating topics addressed by our port professional of the month below!

Can you briefly tell us about the Port of Gdańsk, highlighting its key features and current challenges?

The Port of Gdańsk is the leading cargo hub in Central and Eastern Europe and the largest container port on the Baltic Sea. It is a fully universal port, handling a diversified range of cargo groups, with liquid fuels, containers, and general cargo among its key segments.

Dorota Pyć, President of the Board (CEO) of the Port of Gdańsk

Today, the Port of Gdańsk is firmly positioned among Europe’s largest ports, ranking 8th in Europe and 6th in the European Union, with 80.4 million tonnes handled last year. This confirms its growing strategic relevance within European logistics and energy security systems. What distinguishes the Port of Gdańsk, is its strong and sustained growth momentum, particularly in container handling, which continues to record double-digit increases, alongside dynamic expansion in general cargo volumes. While we are delivering strong operational growth, the key challenge is no longer maritime capacity but ensuring that hinterland rail and intermodal infrastructure keeps pace with rapidly growing terminal capabilities.

What is your long-term vision for the Port of Gdańsk? What are the main investment projects for the next few years? Can you briefly describe the importance of these projects for both the port and the city?

Our long-term vision is to develop the Port of Gdańsk as a sustainable, future-ready hub within the blue and green economy and to strengthen its position as the first-call port on the Baltic Sea. We are investing in deep-water capacity, modern logistics, low-emission and digitalised operations. Key projects include expanded rail and road access, onshore power supply systems, and new energy infrastructure, reinforcing both energy and logistics security. For the city, these investments mean better connectivity, improved environmental performance, and long-term economic growth.

Port of Gdańsk

Given the ongoing war in Ukraine and the resulting changes in regional trade flows, how has the Port of Gdańsk adapted its operations, strategy, and services to respond to these challenges and continue supporting the resilience of the European maritime sector?

The war in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped regional trade flows, and the Port of Gdańsk has played a critical role in ensuring their continuity. We have become a key element of Europe’s energy diversification, significantly increasing capacity for crude oil and fuel imports to strengthen energy security. At the same time, the Port of Gdańsk has acted as an alternative export gateway for Ukrainian agricultural products during the blockade of Black Sea ports. Today, we remain an important logistics hub for Ukraine, particularly in container traffic, supporting resilience across European supply chains.

What can the EU policy do to help the port in its role of making Europe more resilient and enhance its military preparedness? Which investments are needed?

EU policy plays a crucial role in strengthening ports as strategic pillars of Europe’s resilience, security, and competitiveness. Stable support is essential, as it enables investments that serve both immediate security needs and long-term economic functions. Investments in deep-water access, resilient energy systems, and modern rail and road connections are key, as they enhance military mobility and energy security while improving supply chain efficiency. Harmonised regulatory frameworks across Member States are also needed to accelerate delivery, alongside continued support for digitalisation and cybersecurity. This approach will ensure that ports remain key enablers of European Union security and growth.

How does the Port of Gdańsk feel about hosting the ESPO Conference 2026, and what does this opportunity mean for the port and the city to welcome ESPO members and guests to the Port of Gdańsk? What do you expect?

Port of Gdańsk

Hosting the ESPO Conference 2026 is an honour and a strategic opportunity for the Port of Gdańsk. We are strongly engaged internationally, and the EU cooperation is of particular importance to us. The conference will be a platform to discuss security and investment priorities, helping to shape future directions. In today’s uncertain environment, cooperation is essential to build real resilience and shared capacity to respond to emerging challenges. We look forward to meaningful knowledge exchange, stronger partnerships across Europe, and translating discussions into tangible outcomes.

We understand that the Port of Gdańsk is currently working on a project to improve its infrastructure, including an analysis for the implementation of a low-emission Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system to support the sustainable development of the TEN-T network. Could you tell us about the main aspects of this project?

This project supports the Port of Gdańsk efforts to reduce emissions and modernise infrastructure within broader TEN-T objectives. We are developing onshore power supply systems, enabling vessels to connect to shore-side electricity and eliminating emissions and noise during port stays. The project includes grid expansion, integration of renewable energy sources, and essential infrastucture deployment across key terminals. Beyond environmental benefits, it strengthens compliance with the EU regulations, improves operational efficiency, and enhances the quality of life for local communities. It is an important step in reinforcing the Port of Gdańsk as a sustainable and resilient Baltic logistics hub.

Both the energy transition and the military preparedness require additional port space and investments? Is it possible to deliver on both?

Yes, it is possible. At the Port of Gdańsk, we develop dual-use infrastructure that supports decarbonisation, business growth, and military preparedness simultaneously. By modernising and optimising existing facilities, we adapt them to evolving operational and defence requirements. The port has the necessary space and capabilities to balance these objectives. EU funding plays a crucial role in enabling such investments. Moreover, our integrated approach ensures that sustainability and security reinforce each other, maintaining the Port of Gdańsk’s competitiveness while supporting Poland’s strategic defence, energy transition and business goals.

Ports like the Port of Gdańsk are more than ever strategic assets. Do you have enough tools to protect the port against possible attacks, in particular hybrid attacks?

Ports like the Port of Gdańsk are strategic assets, and their protection is a top priority. We operate within established security frameworks and continuously adapt them to evolving hybrid threats.

This includes strengthening cybersecurity, improving monitoring and early warning systems, and ensuring close cooperation with national and EU security institutions. At the same time, these challenges require continued investment in critical infrastructure protection and better coordination across Europe. Resilience is built through action; through close cooperation between public authorities and port authorities, we can ensure security and continuity of operational flows.

Recent figures show that liquid fuels continue to lead cargo handling at the Port of Gdańsk, while container volumes have reached a record high. What do these trends reveal about the port’s evolving role in regional and global supply chains?

Port of Gdańsk – © Istrana

The Port of Gdańsk is increasingly a strategic node in the European energy security and regional logistics, with growing importance as a major Baltic hub and further potential for expansion. The strong growth in container volumes confirm this trajectory, with the Port of Gdańsk strengthening its position within European supply chains. At the same time, its future development depends less on maritime capacity, which continues to grow, and more on the pace of hinterland rail and intermodal connectivity. The continued dominance of liquid fuels further underlines the port’s role in ensuring energy security for Poland and the wider region, including cross-border supply chains. Taken together, these trends clearly confirm the Port of Gdańsk’s evolution into a key Baltic logistics and energy hub, where scale, connectivity, and diversification of flows will define the next stage of growth.

Could you explain us how you began your career in maritime transport and the professional journey that led you to your current position?

My career has been guided by a lifelong passion for the sea and the relationship between people and the maritime environment. I chose to study law, which provided a strong analytical foundation, later complemented by practical experience gained during my work with maritime stakeholders. Between September 2013 and November 2015, I served as the Undersecretary of State (Deputy Minister) at the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Maritime Economy, later reorganised into the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development. Alongside my professional path, my academic work has focused, and still does, on sustainability and the blue economy, emphasising the concept of global ocean governance. Together, these experiences have shaped my perspective and provided a strong basis for my current role as CEO of one of the fastest-growing ports in Europe and a leading transportation hub in the region.

Lastly, if you had to bring us to your favourite spot in the Port of Gdańsk, where would you take us?

Every quay in the port has its own unique character and operational importance, reflecting the scale and diversity of daily activities across the 700-hectare area. Each of them matters equally, which makes it difficult to choose a favourite place. If I had to, I would take you to the Harbour Master’s Tower, where the Inner and Outer Port meet. From there, you can see the full scale of operations alongside an open view of the sea that has always felt close to me. It reflects the dynamic and the strategic character of the Port of Gdańsk.
Source: ESPO