International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and Poland's Port Authority of Gdynia SA for the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) signed a new 30-year lease until 2053.

ICTSI, which owns 100 percent of BCT, was declared preferred bidder under the new lease.

ICTSI has been active in the Port of Gdynia since 2003, investing over $100 million in the terminal’s facilities, personnel and general service capability.

Future investments are expected to easily match and exceed this figure and will initially complement work underway by the Port Authority of Gdynia S.A. to upgrade the port infrastructure so it can handle larger vessels.

So far, Stage 1 works have been completed, enabling BCT to handle vessels with an LOA of up to 366m.

Subsequent developments will provide access for and the handling of much larger vessels of up to 400m LOA.

BCT represents an important component in Poland’s port infrastructure.

As a key maritime gateway for feeder services, it relays cargo to and from the main North European hubs.

It also serves as a main port of call for direct services – the Scan/Balt – USA and the North West Continent – India Pakistan Services.

The development will enable BCT to consolidate and expand handling both categories of service to the direct benefit of exporters and importers.

At the same time, it will facilitate the handling of special cargoes, such as advanced military equipment.

“BCT has considerable expertise in this area,” Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer said. “We meet stringent security requirements, and enjoy the trust of the Polish army and Poland’s NATO Allies.”

Recent years have also seen BCT make its mark in the handling of wind turbine components destined for use in onshore wind farms.

It further expects to deploy this expertise in conjunction with offshore wind farms, which are planned for development over the short to medium term.

“We are pleased to extend our relationship with the Port of Gdynia," said Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI senior vice president, regional head - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

“We are rolling out new investments in a sustainable way that will meet the latest client requirements, build the terminal’s strategic attributes and maximize positive economic impact across the board, for BCT, the port and city as a whole.”

The emphasis on sustainability at BCT will be further reflected in the ongoing efforts to move cargo into and out of the terminal via rail, not just to national destinations but beyond Poland’s borders.

BCT’s market reach via rail includes all major destinations in Poland and extends along the increasingly important trans-European Baltic – Adriatic Corridor (Corridor VI). This runs from Gdynia via southern Poland (Upper Silesia), Vienna and Bratislava and the Eastern Alpine region right through to Northern Italy, serving diverse industrialized centers en route.

BCT processes approximately 250 intermodal trains operated by 13 intermodal operators on a monthly basis. Container cargo moved by rail accounts for 30 per cent of annual throughput.

BCT is also a member of the EU-backed COMODALCE project, designed to take intermodal rail operations to a new, higher level.