Poland as a European hub

2021-05-28

- In 20 years' time Poland will become the logistics hub of Europe. If, of course, the issues that are slowing down the process are resolved. Of course, competitors will not idly wait for us to take their place. So you need to keep working. It is necessary to discuss the issues with those in government and administration who have influence on how the process of foreign expansion and support for our business will proceed. To the extent, of course, permitted by the European legislation. So it is necessary to do it thoughtfully, to implement good ideas, to try to think ahead, not to be afraid of experimenting, not to be afraid of bold ideas - says Marcin Wolak, president of the Polish Road Transport Institute.

For he has no doubt that Poland has the potential to become Europe's logistics hub. Our strength is our geographical location, as well as our country's resources along with our developing business in this sector.

We also have seaports in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Świnoujście, which are undergoing a robust expansion. It is enough to mention the plans for the construction of the Outer Port in the Port of Gdynia, for example. We are also present on the New Silk Road, as most goods coming from China and bound for Europe pass through the terminal in Małaszewicze. We would like to see these shipments from China not just passing through our country in transit, but being reloaded here, because that is ultimately how we could all generate profits.

However, for Poland to get a shot at becoming Europe's logistic hub, at least the following conditions need to be met: expansion of infrastructure and no resistance to designing further spectacular projects involving point infrastructure, whether road, rail, port or air, as well as a favourable legal environment for entrepreneurs, who would like to transport goods through our country or deliver them to our country and be provided with the appropriate services. This involves the provision of so-called soft infrastructure conditions, related for example to legislation or the way in which companies wishing to transport goods through our country are supported with the availability of appropriate services. In the case of the New Silk Road, the situation at present is that most of the cargo passing through Małaszewicze is destined for the German transshipment centre in Duisburg, and some of the containers handled there often return to Poland. This is because of the simpler procedures involved in customs clearance, as well as in the overall administrative side of transport.

- We are well placed to be the most important transshipment point, a kind of a broadly defined port for the various types of shipments that will arrive in our country, to be repacked and reloaded here, so that they can continue on their journey to their end-customers in Europe. And derive maximum benefit from it, just as Western European seaports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp or Hamburg are currently doing - concludes M. Wolak.

Article developed with Namiary na Morze i Handel magazine

phot. Namiary na Morze i Handel Magazine