The countries neighbouring Poland, namely Ukraine and Belarus, will be able to utilise sea ports of the Vistula Lagoon to export and import their products upon completion of the navigable channel construction through the Vistula Spit.
“The open access to the Vistula Lagoon ports would mean access to international seas for our eastern partners – Belarus and Ukraine which would enjoy an alternative port to import and export their goods”, advised Krzysztof Szczerski, Polish President’s Chief of Cabinet.
According to Mr Szczerski, the channel construction is of great importance for Poland’s sovereignty, as much as it will border the NATO’s eastern flank and its east neighbours.
Previously there was a report on active works going on in Poland aimed at navigable channel construction through the Vistula Spit which is going to enable sea-going vessels to call at Elbląg Port bypassing Russia’s territory in Kaliningrad Region.
There were already the deforestation along the future canal route done, excavation works and breakwaters embanking on, as well as installation of sheet-pile bulkheads – 250 m at the southern side of the spit, and 230 m at the western breakwater. The eastern breakwater construction had also been started and steel sheet-piling were being mounted too. Further on, foundation grouting was completed for the two future bridges, the first of which to start operating as early as spring 2021.
Moreover, from the Vistula Lagoon side a provisional dam was erected along with an interim berth to handle cargoes required for construction of the artificial island designed by the project. The dredging works which are also on are going to supply the mentioned island with grounds.
All the works listed are parts of the project’s first phase, the contractor being NDI/Besix Polish-Belgian consortium. The tenders are announced on the river Elbląg bank protection along with a new 1550-m bridge in its mouth, and on the purchase of a dredger to serve the would-be hydraulic structure.
The new waterway’s total extension will amount to 22.9 km (including 10.2 km across the Vistula Lagoon, 10.4 km in the river Elbląg, and the rest of 2.3 km being the very channel and a part of the outer harbour), admitting the vessels up to 100 m long and up to 20 m wide. The depth will be 5 m all along.
The channel construction cost is estimated as 900M PLN i.e. ~237M USD, its completion being planned on 2022.
Currently the ships enter Elbląg Port via the Russian territorial waters, and the channel construction is going to unlock the Polish port’s development. Poland authorities give reasons for the canal of their own as ensuring the country’s national security and economic interests.
https://cfts.org.ua/news/2020/06/04/ukraina_mozhet_poluchit_dostup_k_portam_v_baltiyskom_more_59066
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