Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Gdynia, operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has completed Phase 1 of a major quay upgrade that positions the terminal — and the Port of Gdynia — for expanded capacity and deeper vessel berthing.

The newly completed 400-meter quay section now offers a 15.5-meter depth alongside and includes a third crane rail, upgraded roadways, and utility networks. BCT said the $42 million upgrade was delivered on schedule despite complex environmental and operational conditions.

“The completion of Phase 1 of our development program lays the foundation from which major benefits will be made available to clients,” explained Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer.

“With the realization of Phase 2, there will be a comprehensive upgrade of BCT’s operational capabilities, particularly in terms of vessel accommodation and overall throughput potential. Phase 2’s completion will be accompanied by the delivery of either two or four new super post-Panamax quay cranes, which will significantly increase the berthing and operational capacities of the quay. The cranes are also expected to raise BCT’s annual berth handling capacity to between 1.2 million and 1.6 million TEUs depending on the final configuration,” he elaborated further.

Phase 2 is already underway, with another 400 meters of quay set to be reconstructed by Q2 2026. It includes the delivery of two to four super post-Panamax cranes, which are expected to increase BCT’s berth handling capacity to between 1.2 million and 1.6 million TEUs annually.

Total investment for the two phases will exceed USD84 million.

As part of a broader modernization plan, BCT will roll out the Navis N4 Terminal Operating System in October 2025. This will enable the terminal to implement truck appointment systems, automate gate entry, and integrate optimization tools such as Prime Route and Expert Docking.

In parallel, the Port of Gdynia Authority will launch a tender by Q3 2025 for a new internal road connecting a nine-hectare storage yard to Helskie Quay, further improving container logistics. All works are slated for completion by 2026.

BCT is already reaping the benefits of recent rail upgrades. The Gdynia Port Rail Station has eliminated congestion-related train delays, and 17 percent of BCT’s 560,000 TEU throughput in 2024 was moved by rail. The figure is expected to rise with expanded capacity.

Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI senior vice president and head of EMEA, emphasized that Phase 2 will reinforce BCT’s competitiveness: “We are pleased to have successfully worked with the Port of Authority of Gdynia to realize BCT’s Phase 1 development. Phase 2 will follow swiftly, putting BCT and the Port of Gdynia in a strong position to consolidate and expand traffic volume across the board: deep-sea, short-sea and feeder.

BCT is currently served by MSC’s Britannia Service and its Ecuador–Northwest Continent & ScanBaltic–USA service, with vessels ranging from 4,100 to 8,800 TEUs and reefer capacities of up to 1,300 plugs. Newer short-sea operators like VIA SEA also continue to expand weekly service calls to the terminal.