Two key investments under Poland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO) are nearing completion at the Port of Darłowo. They will improve navigational safety and prepare the port to serve the offshore wind energy sector.

“Both investments demonstrate how effectively we are using funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to strengthen Poland’s maritime economy. The modernisation of port and hydrotechnical infrastructure improves navigational safety, enhances the port’s competitiveness and creates the conditions for the development of offshore wind energy” – said Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka.

The first project, carried out by the Maritime Office in Szczecin, was the “Reconstruction of the western breakwater in the Port of Darłowo, together with improvements to wave conditions inside the harbour basin through the construction of new hydrotechnical structures”, with a value of approximately PLN 130 million. The works included the reconstruction of the approximately 356.5-metre-long western breakwater and the construction of a new 100-metre-long spur alongside it, together with associated infrastructure. The investment was aimed at restoring the breakwater to an appropriate technical condition, protecting it against erosion and reducing the impact of waves inside the outer harbour. As a result, conditions for the safe entry of cargo vessels, tourist vessels and units servicing offshore wind farms have improved.

The second project, being carried out by the City of Darłowo, is nearing completion. Entitled “Modernisation and expansion of hydrotechnical structures in the Port of Darłowo for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind installations”, the project is worth more than PLN 44 million and is preparing the port to perform a new strategic function as a service base for the offshore wind energy sector developing in the Baltic Sea.

As part of the investment, nearly 400 metres of existing quays – the Southern, Gdynia and Szczecin Quays – have been modernised. They have been functionally integrated with a new 229-metre-long cargo quay designed, among other purposes, to handle specialised service vessels operating in the offshore sector. The new quay is accompanied by nearly 8 hectares of land, providing space for the development of activities related to the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The project has also included the construction of an internal road and a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Grabowa River.

Both investments form part of strategic efforts to develop Poland’s offshore sector and strengthen the potential of its seaports. Thanks to the modernisation of its infrastructure, the Port of Darłowo is strengthening its position as a future service base for offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, while retaining and developing its commercial, fishing and tourism functions.

Photo: GospodarkaMorska.pl