The fourth edition of the Polish Ports 2030+ Congress has concluded after two days of discussions focused on the future of Poland's seaports, with particular emphasis on infrastructure development. One of the key sessions explored the role of local authorities and businesses in supporting port growth. The panel, entitled "Maritime Cities and Municipalities 2030+. Local Government and Business in Port Hinterlands", was moderated by GospodarkaMorska.pl journalist Artur Kiełbasiński.

The discussion brought together representatives of business, local government and regional institutions: Agnieszka Rodak, President of Rumia Invest Park; Artur Ambrożewicz, CEO of Vulcan Training & Consultancy; Radosław Rychter, Director of Maritime Programmes at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace; Grzegorz Maj, Local Content Plenipotentiary at Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ); and Jarosław Białk, Head of Puck County.

A recurring theme throughout the debate was the unique role of local governments as partners in economic development. It is at the municipal level that the interests of investors, local communities and public administration intersect most directly, while decisions taken locally have an immediate impact on the pace of investment projects, the availability of infrastructure and the quality of cooperation with business.

People say: 'Rumia is actually a great place

Over the past few years, the real estate market in Rumia and the so-called Logistics Valley, located in the hinterland of the Port of Gdynia, has undergone significant transformation. As moderator Artur Kiełbasiński noted, many investors have only recently realised how close Rumia is to the port—a fact long obvious to local residents but one that has become an important discovery from an investment perspective. As a result, prices of investment land have risen sharply. Against this backdrop, the discussion turned to whether Rumia has experienced growing investor interest precisely because of its proximity to the port and the development of the Logistics Valley.

– Yes, they really do come and say: 'Rumia is actually a great place. We saw that you have an industrial zone. We always thought Rumia was simply where you got stuck in traffic on the way to the Hel Peninsula.' At the same time, once they visit the area and see the industrial facilities being built, they are surprised by the price per square metres – said Agnieszka Rodak, President of Rumia Invest Park.

She explained that when the company was established ten years ago, industrial land could be purchased for around PLN 20 per square metre. Today, prices are approaching those seen near Gdańsk Airport.

– Our competitive advantage is no longer price, but the way we support investors and help solve their problems. For example, if the electricity distributor refuses to provide a connection, or the water utility informs an investor that there is no water and sewage infrastructure and they will have to co-finance its construction, that is when we step in. We also connect investors with the Special Economic Zone so they can benefit from the available support instruments – says Rodak.

Rodak also stressed that Rumia Invest Park naturally serves as part of the hinterland of the Port of Gdynia, with investors increasingly recognising the improvements in transport connectivity. She pointed in particular to the planned Red Road (Droga Czerwona), one of the most important infrastructure projects supporting the port.

– The port is expanding its boundaries, while we already enjoy very good road access. If Via Maris is eventually built—and hopefully that will happen within our lifetime—it will be a real game changer. When we speak with investors, including the company represented here by Mr Ambrożewicz, it is clear that reducing travel time to the port is a major factor in their investment decisions – she concluded.

"Contact with local government is of enormous importance to us"

The discussion then turned to the factors influencing investment location decisions, with panelists debating what ultimately matters most to investors: the location itself and its economic potential, or a business-friendly local government supported by efficient administration.

– One of the most important factors for us is human capital – people capable of operating advanced technologies as well as manufacturing components for us. Location obviously matters – ports, airports, transport infrastructure and even hotel facilities – but the openness of local government is equally important. Local authorities are elected by residents and, to some extent, remain independent of day-to-day politics. That is precisely why maintaining close contact with them is so important to us – said Radosław Rychter, Director of Maritime Programmes at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

According to Rychter, transparency and a genuine willingness to support business are essential.

– From our very first meetings, we want to be certain that the other party is not trying to conceal anything or present reality in a better light than it actually is. We fully understand that some sites are better than others. We are also familiar with the various promises that have been made to investors over the years.

It is worth recalling that in November last year representatives of the Pomeranian regional authorities and Norwegian defence group Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace signed a letter of intent on strategic economic cooperation. The agreement is linked to plans to establish a modern defence manufacturing facility in Pomerania, which will also form part of the government's Green Industrial District "Kashubia" initiative, integrating industry, energy and innovation while supporting the region's sustainable development.

Against this backdrop, Rychter spoke highly of Rumia.

– We received an exceptionally warm welcome there, particularly from a professional standpoint. The city was thoroughly prepared to discuss available sites, infrastructure and every technical aspect of the project. After all, nobody wants to build a factory in the middle of a forest without the necessary supporting infrastructure. The discussions were concrete, practical and highly professional."

– We already operate factories in Australia, the United States and Norway, in Kongsberg. We are now searching for the right location in Poland. Kongsberg is a state-owned company, and Norwegians tend to approach business somewhat differently – they expect tangible support. That support is often provided by municipal companies responsible for assisting investors. Ultimately, people remain our highest priority. If we encounter openness, professionalism and a genuinely business-oriented approach, it sends a very strong signal. Naturally, the price of the land also matters, but that is something that can always be negotiated. Relationships are what matter most – Radosław Rychter concluded.

Vulcan Training & Consultancy Invests in Rumia

Vulcan Training & Consultancy is investing approximately PLN 30 million in a new project in Rumia, where it is building one of the most advanced training centres in Europe. The development will comprise a 1,200-square-metre training hall and 1,500 square metres of training and welfare facilities. Although modest in scale compared with major industrial investments, the project is expected to play an important role in developing skills and strengthening the regional labour market.

According to Artur Ambrożewicz, CEO of Vulcan Training & Consultancy, the decision to locate the investment in Rumia followed a thorough assessment of the region's transport connectivity and strategic advantages.

– Before making an important decision, look at the map. Rumia, located immediately adjacent to Gdynia, sits on the routes leading towards Łeba and the Hel Peninsula. Another major advantage will be the S6 expressway currently under development, which will significantly improve the region's accessibility. It is an ideal location. All that is missing now is Via Maris to complete the transport network. Back in 2020, the investment site was still undeveloped – to put it simply, there was nothing but bushes, and it was impossible even to reach the plot itself. Today, it has the necessary basic infrastructure and road access – Ambrożewicz said.

He also praised the cooperation with local institutions, highlighting their commitment and support throughout the investment process, particularly regarding electricity and gas connections as well as other technical infrastructure. At the same time, he pointed to continuing administrative challenges.

– We recently submitted an amended building permit application. The authority had 65 days to issue its decision. We received a negative response on the sixty-fourth day, only to learn immediately afterwards that the official handling the case was leaving on a two-week holiday. Today, public administration has become one of the key bottlenecks in the investment process.

Will Poles Return?

The discussion also addressed whether Pomerania is an attractive enough place – both in terms of employment opportunities and quality of life – to encourage Polish professionals working abroad to return, while also attracting workers of other nationalities. Opinions among the panellists were divided.

– When it comes to the question of whether Poles working abroad will return, I do have some doubts. Unfortunately, the jobs currently available in the Baltic Sea region do not match European standards. Salaries are simply not comparable with those offered in other markets. We need to view the Polish labour market as part of the wider European market and gradually bring remuneration closer to European levels. That is, of course, neither simple nor risk-free. If labour costs become too high, we may be replaced by workers from Romania, Ukraine or Moldova. We need to keep that in mind. Poland is no longer a low-cost labour market, but we still remain more cost-competitive than many other countries – said Artur Ambrożewicz. 

He added that replacing workers is relatively easy, whereas replacing technology is much more difficult. For this reason, he stressed the importance of developing Polish technologies so that, for example, Danish specialists would come to Poland to work on Polish solutions rather than the other way around.

In this context, the discussion also referred to a recent interview on Radio Gdańsk with Marcin Ryngwelski, President of PGZ Naval Shipyard. According to him, convincing Polish shipyard workers currently employed in Norway to return home would require offering salaries equivalent to around 70% of Norwegian wages. Only at that level, he argued, would they seriously consider coming back.

– It must always be remembered that there is a difference between declarations and actual decisions. Nevertheless, it illustrates the scale of the challenge – the panellists noted.

Grzegorz Maj, Proxy for Local Content at Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ), also expressed doubts about the likelihood of a large-scale return of Polish workers from abroad.

– In my opinion, we should not assume that these returns will happen on a significant scale. We can already see this in our own investment project. Thousands of Poles worked on the construction of Finland's Olkiluoto nuclear power plant. Some are interested in joining our project, but many have no intention of returning. Financial considerations are important, but relocation is equally significant. If someone has been living abroad for one, two or three years, each subsequent year makes the decision to move back increasingly difficult. I would therefore not expect a mass return of Poles who have spent many years working abroad. Instead, we must focus on developing our workforce here at home. That is precisely where Pomerania has a tremendous opportunity. Poland's first nuclear power plant is being built here, and this is where we are creating the entire workforce base for the construction phase.

Around 10,000 people are expected to work on the construction site at any one time, while approximately 24,000 workers will be involved over the entire course of the project.

– These will not be just any workers. Every one of them will have to undergo dedicated education, training and certification processes. Holding standard professional qualifications will not be enough, because working on a nuclear power plant construction site requires compliance with additional safety and quality standards. Once people obtain these qualifications, they will be able to find employment virtually anywhere in the world.

Maj also pointed out that the Minister of Energy has already announced an update to Poland's nuclear power programme. It has now been confirmed that a second nuclear power plant will be built, with a decision on its location expected later this year.

– This means that the workforce trained today in Pomerania will not be employed solely on the first nuclear power plant. They will become the backbone of Poland's entire nuclear energy programme. Demand for highly qualified specialists will continue to grow. This represents a tremendous opportunity for the region – said Grzegorz Maj.

He also revealed that work is underway on plans to establish a centre of excellence for workforce development in Rumia.

– We want graduates to be fully prepared to work on the construction of the nuclear power plant. This represents a huge opportunity both for vocational schools in the Puck, Wejherowo and Lębork counties, and for universities in Gdynia and Gdańsk.

Like the other panellists, Maj emphasised the crucial role played by local governments.

– It is not only about day-to-day issues such as road repairs or disruptions caused by construction works. Local authorities are increasingly viewing this investment as an opportunity – an opportunity to develop the regional labour market, upgrade schools, strengthen education and create an entire economic ecosystem around the nuclear power plant. From our perspective, the approach taken by the local governments of Puck, Wejherowo and Lębork counties has been genuinely impressive.

Record-High Support for Nuclear Energy

As moderator Artur Kiełbasiński pointed out, public opinion surveys show that support for nuclear energy in Poland has reached a record high.

– What is more, a high percentage of respondents say they would accept the construction of a nuclear power plant even within a 20-kilometre radius of their place of residence. This is particularly significant because we often encounter the attitude of: ‘Yes, I support nuclear energy, but let it be built at the other end of the country.’ Here, it turns out that residents are also willing to accept it in their immediate surroundings.

Responding to the issue, Grzegorz Maj, Member of the Management Board’s Office for Local Content at Polish Nuclear Power Plants (PEJ), confirmed the strong level of public support.

– In the immediate vicinity of the planned nuclear power plant site, support exceeds 50%, which we consider a very good result. It shows that local residents understand that an investment of this scale will inevitably involve disruptions, but they also recognise that the long-term benefits will outweigh the inconveniences.

– An entire ecosystem will emerge around the nuclear power plant. Residents will feel its impact not only through lower energy prices and new jobs, but also through the development of infrastructure and services that they will use in their everyday lives.

Puck Facing Transformation

When people think of Puck County, their first associations are usually the Hel Peninsula, tourism, sailing and seaside holidays. This is a natural and deeply ingrained image of the region. During the panel discussion, however, participants pointed out that alongside its tourism function, a second pillar based on energy and maritime infrastructure is becoming increasingly important.

A key element of this transformation is the Port of Władysławowo, which, as speakers emphasised, is gaining growing importance in the development of Poland’s offshore wind sector and is becoming one of the key support hubs for projects in the Baltic Sea.

During the discussion, participants noted that not only is the role of individual locations changing, but so too is the perception of the entire region. Although the planned nuclear power plant will not be built directly within Puck County, it will be located in its immediate vicinity, influencing the broader investment dynamics of the area. Offshore wind, meanwhile, already has a direct impact on the county and is becoming one of its principal development directions.

Against this backdrop, the discussion turned to whether local residents and authorities are beginning to view the region not only through the lens of tourism, but also as an energy hub.

– Looking at Puck County, which is the most maritime county in Poland—we have the country's longest coastline, as the peninsula counts on both sides—we are, of course, primarily associated with tourism. We have beaches both along the Bay of Puck and the open Baltic Sea. I often joke: why go to Croatia when we have our own? However, for years we have been perceived almost exclusively as a tourist region. Meanwhile, only around 30% of our 94,000 residents make their living from tourism. That leaves roughly 70% of the population who need employment in other sectors – said Jarosław Białk, Head of Puck County.

– For many years, together with local governments, we have been working to ensure that the region stands on two pillars. We want to continue developing tourism while at the same time attracting modern business. Naturally, we are not talking about particularly burdensome heavy industry. These should be investments that can coexist with the region’s tourism function. To achieve this, however, appropriate public infrastructure is essential. It is no longer enough to point an investor towards an overgrown plot of land and say: ‘Build everything yourself and we’ll collect the taxes afterwards.’

He added that local authorities are increasingly thinking in terms of co-financing roads, servicing investment sites with utilities and preparing complete infrastructure packages.

– We want to create conditions that encourage businesses to invest here. Tourism is highly dependent on the weather. If someone earns very good money during the holiday season but then has virtually no work for several months, that does not solve the problem of year-round employment. That is why we need permanent jobs – the Head of Puck County said.

Puck County places great hopes on the development of the Port of Władysławowo and the Szkuner company, which has remained under county ownership.

– When I took office in 2014, the company employed around 200 people and, with annual revenues of approximately PLN 20 million, generated losses of around PLN 3.5 million each year. The easiest solution would have been to sell its attractive land to property developers or hotel investors. Instead, we chose a completely different path. We decided to develop the company.

As he explained, the company was once associated almost exclusively with fishing, but today, in his view, the Baltic Sea is a very different place.

– Cod and salmon are no longer caught in the quantities they once were. Today, the main catches are herring and sprat. Fishing alone can no longer sustain a company of this size. That is why we started looking for new directions for growth. One is offshore wind, the other is nuclear energy. Today, oversized transformers used for major energy projects are already being transported through the Port of Władysławowo.

During the discussion, it was emphasised that public opposition to major energy and infrastructure projects in Puck County and across Pomerania is now relatively limited, partly thanks to the region’s previous experience with projects such as Żarnowiec, oil and gas extraction, and fuel storage infrastructure. Rather than resistance, speakers noted that residents increasingly express “fatigue with waiting”—having heard about major investments for years without seeing their full implementation.

Participants stressed that maintaining public support depends not only on the investment process itself and accompanying infrastructure projects, but above all on delivering tangible benefits to local communities: infrastructure that improves quality of life, well-paid jobs, and the development of public services and amenities.

They also underlined that salaries alone are not enough. Living conditions, transport links and the quality of local services all influence decisions about whether people choose to remain in—or return to—the region. Speakers concluded by highlighting the need for long-term thinking on labour market development and education, ensuring that today's younger generations are prepared for the future career opportunities that Pomerania is expected to offer.