International Maritime Congress in Szczecin. Prime Minister announces Polonization of the Baltic Sea

The International Maritime Congress has returned to Szczecin after a one-year break. This is the 11th edition of this most important conference event in the national maritime economy. The meeting, which takes place on 15-16 May, is attended by representatives of the most important maritime industry organisations. The opening at the Polish Theatre was attended by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who announced an investment plan for the maritime economy in Szczecin and the Tri-City, including the construction of ships and the return of the Polish flag. During Thursday's session, an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for the maritime economy was also held.

The Congress was opened by Jarosław Siergiej, President of the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority, and Dariusz Doskocz, General Director of Polska Żegluga Steamship Company.

– We live in extremely interesting times, although at the same time full of unrest – said the director of PŻM. – The war beyond our eastern border, tensions in the Middle East or disruptions in international trade caused by new customs duties have a direct impact on shipping, the operations of Polish ports, and the entire maritime economy. In times of dynamic changes, flexibility and openness to new opportunities are key. Maintaining the pace of development and ensuring access to infrastructure allow us to stay on the right course and have a justified hope for improving the results of the industry. In the face of challenges, reflection, dialogue and cooperation are necessary. The Congress is an excellent forum for discussion and searching for solutions in a changing reality.

The guest of honour on the first day of the Congress was Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

- We are launching an ambitious program "Polish Sea" - he announced. - We live in difficult times, full of anxiety. The first task was to ensure greater security in the Baltic Sea. That is why we have started to organize international protection of our waters with such determination. We are using the capabilities of NATO and individual member states to protect the Baltic Sea so that our ships, wind farms, gas pipelines, ports, and soon also a nuclear power plant - everything that is by the sea and in the sea - is as safe as possible.

He stressed that Poland is and must become, in the full sense of the word, a maritime state.

- I did not come here on any propaganda mission - argued the head of government.

He assured that regardless of the protests, no one will block the construction of the container terminal in Świnoujście.

- In Poland we will build ships, it is time for a much greater impetus - said D. Tusk. - Polonization of the Baltic Sea is not only the name of the program. It is the Polonization of all activities - not only expenses, but also benefits. Poles will earn on the development of our maritime economy.

He promised to build a new training sailing vessel for the Maritime University in Gdynia and a research vessel for the Maritime University of Technology in Szczecin, to triple the output in Polish ports and terminals by 2030, and to return the Polish flag to Polish ships. He also mentioned the ferries being built in Gdańsk for Polish shipowners (the first of three is to be ready in October this year).

The Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak, devoted a large part of his speech to railway and road investments, drawing attention to projects important for the region, such as the construction of the Western Bypass of Szczecin or the modernization of the Nadodrzanka railway line.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka spoke about investments in the maritime economy.

The 11th International Maritime Congress in Szczecin consists of three plenary debates, four thematic blocks and 12 discussion panels. Over 90 speakers, moderators and panelists from all over the world participate.

Topics discussed include European regulation and policy, industry strategy and development, multi-directional development of the maritime economy with its broadly understood background: transport networks, logistics, sustainable energy and safety: of transport, goods, the environment and, above all, of people.

Let us recall that the idea of ​​the Congress was born over a decade ago and from the beginning it was assumed that it would be a multi-level platform for the exchange of experiences, knowledge, opinions and forecasting visions of the future. It proved to be successful - over the years MKM has grown to the rank of one of the largest events of this type in the maritime industry in Poland and abroad.

This year's edition is held under the honorary patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which raises the rank of the Congress to an event of pan-European importance. Therefore, the first day was full of topics related to the maritime economy in the European context.

On Friday the proceedings will move to the Radisson Hotel.

The main organizer of the event is the Maritime Congress Foundation in Szczecin. Co-organizers are the Ministry of Infrastructure and the most important companies of the national maritime economy: Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority, Gdańsk Seaport Authority, Gdynia Seaport Authority, Polish Steamship Company and the Northern Chamber of Commerce. ©℗

Elizabeth KUBOWSKA