Elbląg is returning to the maritime logistics map, and one of the driving forces behind this comeback is Venkon – a rapidly growing port operator from Pomerania, which, after its successes in Gdańsk, is now entering the Elbląg port with ambition.

Return to the roots

Although Venkon’s headquarters are located in Szczecin and most of its operations are concentrated in the Port of Gdańsk, the company’s history is coming full circle. Its roots reach back to Elbląg, where the company’s founder took his first steps in maritime logistics. Now, after winning a tender, the company is returning to the city with a clear mission – to breathe new life into the local cargo terminal.

Its 11 years of activity in the Port of Gdańsk have allowed Venkon to build a strong position in the industry. In the Tri-City area, the company is known as a flexible and efficient operator of bulk and general cargo – from fertilizers, to ceramic raw materials, to various dry bulk goods.
“We are able to handle almost any cargo,” emphasizes Michał Milewski, one of the company’s managers. Venkon has its own technical facilities, including mobile bagging lines that can pack goods directly from a vessel’s hold, significantly streamlining operations.

Gdańsk – everyday port operations

In Gdańsk, Venkon mainly operates at the Przemysłowe Quay, which allows for the handling of vessels with a draft of up to 9.3 meters and a length of up to 190 meters. According to Bartłomiej Stolarek, the company regularly serves ships with a deadweight of up to 30,000 tons. There are also spectacular operations – such as the one at the end of 2023, when three bulk carriers loaded with the same type of fertilizer were being handled simultaneously.
“Forty days of intense work, 100,000 tons of fertilizer unloaded and packed, and over 4,000 trucks served – it was a real test of strength for our entire logistics operation,” recalls Stolarek.

It is worth noting that compared to its competitors, Venkon stands out for its culture of cooperation – it does not engage in aggressive client poaching but instead builds lasting relationships with partners, including other quay operators. Flexibility, trust, and service quality are values that the company successfully translates into business success.

Elbląg – the future of Eastern Poland’s port sector

The year 2024 marked another milestone for Venkon – winning the competition to become the operator of the terminal at the Port of Elbląg. And although the terminal’s full potential depends on the completion of dredging works, the company is already developing its activities there, focusing on warehousing, land-based cargo handling, and barge services.
“We know the dredging will be completed. We are preparing to receive vessels of up to 3,000 tons, which will ease the burden on Gdańsk and open up new markets for us,” explains Milewski.

The location of the Elbląg terminal along the S7 route is another advantage – no traffic jams, direct access from the national road, and fast connections to eastern and southern Poland place Elbląg in a uniquely favorable logistics position.
“For many clients, logistics from Elbląg means saving both time and money. Gdańsk will remain the main port for larger vessels, while Elbląg will take over part of the smaller operations and cargo requiring storage,” says Stolarek.

Operational readiness today

Venkon’s Elbląg terminal is already equipped with complete infrastructure: warehouses, sheds, a hardened storage yard covering nearly one hectare, large silos, and a newly purchased Atlas material handler with a 20-meter reach.
“We are not waiting passively – we are ready to take on the full volume of operations as soon as the waterway is open. We are just waiting for the green light,” summarizes Michał Milewski.

Venkon is not only confirming its strong position in Gdańsk but is also consistently building a new standard in Elbląg. It is a company that does not wait for change – it initiates it.