Port of Gdynia has announced the launch of a new investment project, effectively a continuation of the recently completed programme to deepen port quays and the access channel. A cold storage facility dedicated to refrigerated containers will be built in the immediate hinterland. The project will be carried out by MEDLOG, part of the global shipping giant MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Today, an agreement was officially signed at the headquarters of the Port of Gdynia Authority for the construction and 30-year operation of the facility. The investment, led by MEDLOG, will expand the range of containerised cargo that can be handled in Gdynia.

The agreement was signed by Piotr Gorzeński and Walery Tankiewicz, President and Vice-President of the Port of Gdynia Authority, as well as Maciej Ostrowski, President of MSC Poland and MEDLOG, and Marek Tomczyk, Member of the Management Board of MEDLOG.

Piotr Gorzeński emphasised that the construction of the cold store, to be located within the port’s logistics hinterland west of the Kwiatkowski Overpass, complements the port deepening programme.

“For the Port of Gdynia, this is a very important element, as we want the improved access to the port, deeper waters and strengthened quays—allowing us to accommodate very large vessels—to be followed by strong opportunities for handling refrigerated containers,” he said. “Until now, the Port of Gdynia has not had this type of infrastructure, so this is a new development and we hope it will deliver very positive results.”

Gorzeński also noted a growing market trend in refrigerated containers. The new facility will allow containers to be unloaded directly at the port, freeing them up more quickly for reuse by shipping lines. Currently, containers are transported inland to the final consignee before being unloaded and returned. With the new cold store, cargo will remain safely stored on-site, ready for collection, while empty containers return to circulation much faster.

The planned facility will have a capacity of 30,000 pallet spaces and 20 loading bays for trucks. It will be built on an area of nearly 5 hectares between Logistyczna and Kontenerowa streets within the logistics centre, along with manoeuvring yards and supporting infrastructure. In addition to freezing chambers, the facility will include convertible chambers capable of storing goods at temperatures above 0°C, allowing for storage of not only frozen products but also items such as fruit.

The total cost of the investment will exceed PLN 200 million. Maciej Ostrowski, President of MSC Poland and MEDLOG, stated that the decision to build the facility was driven by market demand.

“MSC has been present on the Polish market for 28 years. We know the producers, the importers—we know the market, and it is the market that indicated the need for such a facility,” he said. “Today, clients—particularly meat producers—require a competitive advantage, which proximity to the port and fast cargo handling can provide. We are already doing this, but we want to offer new opportunities and facilitate the expansion of export markets.”

Ostrowski added that he was very satisfied with cooperation with the port and hinted at further investments in the future.

Local authorities also attended the signing. Tomasz Augustyniak, Vice-Mayor of Gdynia, highlighted the impact of port investments on the city and its residents, including employment, cooperation with local suppliers, and tax revenues contributing to the city’s development.

He also noted ongoing efforts to advance the Red Road project, which will be essential for handling increased cargo flows generated by the new facility.

The importance of the project was also underlined by Adam Gawrylik, Member of the Board of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, who pointed to strong growth in the agri-food sector. Last year, the sector reached a turnover of PLN 260 billion, with the region accounting for a significant share—one that has doubled over the past seven years and is expected to continue growing.

Emil Rojek, Deputy Voivode of Pomerania, added that the investment positions Gdynia as a strong competitor to other major Baltic ports, including nearby Port of Gdańsk.