The 11th International Maritime Congress in Szczecin brought a series of significant announcements and updates for Poland’s maritime sector. The most important was the government’s decision to strengthen the country’s attachment to the sea. Several government-involved projects have now been combined under a single umbrella called “Polish Sea”, a programme announced from the podium by Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the Congress’ opening ceremony.

This year’s edition of the International Maritime Congress was expected to be a high-profile event. Held as part of Poland’s presidency of the European Union, it included an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for maritime affairs. However, on the first day — hosted at the Polish Theatre — European slogans were overshadowed by the government’s recurring theme of “re-Polonisation”.

Tusk: We are launching the “Polish Sea” programme

The Congress was officially opened by its organisers — Jarosław Siergiej, President of the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority, and Dariusz Doskocz, CEO of Polish Steamship Company (PŻM), both representing the Maritime Congress Foundation. They welcomed participants and briefly recalled the main idea behind the Congress. As Siergiej stated, the event is meant to be a multi-level platform for exchanging perspectives, experiences, and visions. Doskocz added that reflection, dialogue and cooperation are especially important in the face of current global challenges.

Yet as they spoke, most photographers gathered at the back of the hall waiting for the keynote address by the guest of honour — Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister focused on specifics, touching on several major issues — also politically significant — that currently shape the maritime sector. After a few opening remarks, he said that if we think today about a “Greater Pomerania”, it is not in terms of territory, but in terms of how to “better, smarter, and more intensively develop this magnificent stretch of coastline.”

“Today is the moment when I, as the Prime Minister of the Polish government, can say that we are launching the ambitious ‘Polish Sea’ programme,” Tusk declared.

“Polish Sea” in the ports

According to the announcement, the “Polish Sea” programme unifies a range of initiatives related to the maritime economy. Tusk began with issues of security in the Baltic Sea and the “Baltic Sentry” mission, aimed at protecting critical offshore infrastructure against sabotage and other threats.

The Prime Minister then addressed several points that drew applause. Speaking about the expansion of Polish ports, he could not omit the Świnoujście container terminal:

“No one will block this terminal,” he stated.

“I am fully aware of the responsibility on me and on the government to ensure — while respecting Polish and international law, as well as citizens’ and organisations’ rights — that we effectively protect our national maritime interest. And one such interest is, of course, the container terminal in Świnoujście.”

Tusk referred to the strong financial and throughput results of Poland’s key seaports, but stressed that these are only a starting point.

“We are already a very serious player — not yet dominant, but almost — when it comes to container handling. We intend to triple these numbers by 2030. In four years and a few months, we will triple the results of Polish ports and container terminals on the Baltic Sea and achieve the position of a truly dominant country,” he announced.

Privately, some attendees questioned whether he meant tripling throughput or port capacity.

Local content and connectivity

The Prime Minister also addressed offshore wind and the issue of local content — the participation of Polish companies in the supply chains of Baltic wind farm projects.

“We will be very strict about ensuring that everyone — including the largest state-owned companies — involved in building large wind farms in the Baltic Sea makes far greater use of Polish firms and services. If we invest in offshore wind, Polish companies, ports, and entrepreneurs must benefit.”

However, for Polish ports to operate effectively — including in offshore wind — they must be accessible. Tusk highlighted the need for access-infrastructure investments, especially in Świnoujście and Szczecin. He once again announced the modernisation of the Nadodrzanka railway line (line 273), adding that combined with the already-approved Czech motorway, it will create a connection between Szczecin, the south, and the wider port hinterland.

“Szczecin will no longer be a place cut off from transport links. And it cannot be, since Szczecin and Świnoujście are to become one of the key centres of Poland’s maritime economy.”

Polish ships under the Polish flag

“One sentence is key for me: in Poland, we will build ships,” Tusk said.

Referring to the Szczecin shipyards, he stated that the sector is “slowly getting back on track,” but added that “it is time for much greater momentum.”

He then announced the construction of a new Polish sail training ship — continuing the tradition of Dar Pomorza and Dar Młodzieży. A visualisation of the vessel was shown behind him. Almost 400 million PLN has already been allocated for the project.

Tusk also confirmed the decision to build a new training ship worth over 600 million PLN.

“‘Polonisation’ of the Baltic — making the Baltic a Polish sea — also means the Polonisation of public orders. Wherever possible, even if difficult, tenders will be won by Polish suppliers and manufacturers. This applies also to shipbuilding.”

Another point that drew strong applause was the promise to restore the Polish flag to Polish-owned ships. Tusk recalled that 20 years had passed since the Polish flag was lowered from the vessel Ziemia Gnieźnieńska. The flag from that ship was carried onto the stage.

“We had to wait more than 20 years to say — proudly and loudly — that the Polish flag will return to Polish ships.”

Infrastructure Minister on transport connectivity

Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak focused largely on addressing transport “exclusion” and on access routes to ports in Szczecin and Świnoujście.

He highlighted express roads S3, S6 and S10, and discussed the long-awaited Western Bypass of Szczecin — a 50 km expressway with an Oder River tunnel, costing 8 billion PLN.

Klimczak also reaffirmed the upgrade of the Nadodrzanka rail line — with 200 km of tracks and switches to be replaced — ensuring rail access to the Police port. He mentioned modernisations of lines 201 and 202 from the Tri-City to Bydgoszcz and Słupsk, though without details.

Marchewka: the maritime economy must be a source of pride

Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka, responsible for maritime affairs and inland navigation, emphasised that:

“We are committed to the maritime economy — to its development, ambitious investments, and making it a source of national pride.”

He recalled record 2024 container throughput (3.3 million TEU) and 56 billion PLN in customs and VAT collected in Polish ports. He reiterated that the deepwater Świnoujście container terminal is a priority — but requires S3 and Nadodrzanka for full effectiveness.

Marchewka also spoke about a new financing programme for building ferries for Polish shipowners — with 1.3 billion PLN allocated. He mentioned a 240 million PLN investment agreement for Szczecin’s shipyards (Gryfia and Wulkan).

On restoring the Polish flag, he noted that the Cabinet has already approved a bill on voluntary and preferential social insurance for seafarers. A preferential tax system for shipowners is also being developed.

EU perspective

A recorded statement by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, was then played. He highlighted new opportunities for ports created by maritime economic growth and the energy transition. Shipyards also stand to benefit, as much of the fleet will need to be modernised or replaced to meet EU environmental regulations.

He also acknowledged geopolitical uncertainty and rising protectionism, including US tariffs, which increase supply-chain costs. The EU, he said, will continue strengthening Europe’s maritime potential.

Cyprus perspective

The last speaker in this part of the Congress was Marina Hadjimanolis, Deputy Minister for Shipping of Cyprus. She emphasised that the main challenge for shipping is responding to environmental requirements — including emissions reduction and new fuels — as well as addressing shortages of seafarers and maritime professionals. She also noted that the EU’s maritime economy has recently been affected by global and internal protectionism and competition.