“The terminal may be launched in 2028. Although the power in Poland may change soon. And it’s no secret that the PiS government views West Pomeranian investments much more favorably than leading PO politicians. So it is possible that a government in a different composition – if there is one – may not want to continue the investment,” writes Business Insider, which belongs to the Ringier Axel Springer group.
German local government officials do not want major investments in Świnoujście. They cite accidents and environmental degradation as reasons for their opposition. Business Insider journalists, when describing opposition to the investment, suggested Civic Platform support it. And it will try to block investment when it comes to power.
The German side uses all kinds of aspects related to environmental protection to block investment
– also said Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Marek Gróbarczyk.
READ MORE: Gróbarczyk on Świnoujście port expansion: German side uses environmental protection concerns to block investment
He added that “this is another action of this type being led by the German side precisely as part of weakening or trying to block this investment.”
German opposition
Earlier, “Deutsche Welle” also wrote that “Germany does not like Polish plans to build a port in Świnoujście”. It added that “they fear nature and tourism.” As noted in “DW”, they are not convinced by Poland’s designation of a new ship access channel.
The construction of a container port in Świnoujście continues to raise objections from German local authorities, environmental organizations and members of the European Parliament. Despite the decision of the Polish government to bypass German sea waters and to designate a new access channel, the criticism from the German side continues. Opponents of the Polish container port point to Natura 2000 areas, designated and protected by the EU, where construction is only allowed if it does not affect nature
– we read in “DW”.
In July of this year, the Center for EU Transport Projects signed with the director of the Maritime Bureau in Szczecin, an agreement for the implementation of the task entitled “Carrying out works to enable water transport to the outer port in Świnoujście”.
The project consists of the construction of a navigation channel of 17 m deep and 500 m wide on the existing shipping basin over a distance of approximately 70 km.
Investment costs
The cost of the investment is PLN 7.33 billion, of which approximately PLN 2.8 billion is co-financed by EU funds. The director of the Maritime Bureau in Szczecin will be responsible for carrying out the task.
The route of the new navigation channel will run entirely in Polish maritime areas. Currently, the only access channel to Świnoujście is the northern route, which runs close to the border of the German waters of the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone.
Appropriate access infrastructure for deep-water terminals in the port of Świnoujście will be provided through a long-term program entitled “Construction and expansion of the access infrastructure to the port of Świnoujście in the years 2023-2029”. It was established by a government resolution in May this year. The value of the program is PLN 10.26 billion and the state budget will provide PLN 7.46 billion.
edy/BusinessInsider/PAP
Source: wPolityce