Poland has officially launched construction of Cape Pomerania, a massive new deepwater port and container terminal in Świnoujście on the Baltic coast. Valued at approximately PLN 10 billion, or €2.3 billion, the project is expected to strengthen Poland’s position in European maritime trade and create a major logistics hub serving Central and Eastern Europe.

Construction formally began on 13 July 2026 with the handover of the site and the start of work on a temporary technical access road. The road will allow heavy machinery, construction materials and workers to reach the future offshore terminal area. This initial stage is expected to take around ten months and marks the project’s transition from planning to physical implementation.

186 hectares of new land

Cape Pomerania will be built largely on land reclaimed from the Bay of Pomerania, east of Świnoujście’s existing LNG terminal. Around 186 hectares of new territory will be created in the sea, forming the foundation of a new external port complex.

The plans include almost three kilometres of new quays and breakwaters. The container terminal itself will have approximately 1.3 kilometres of berthing space, allowing three vessels to be handled simultaneously: two ocean-going container ships up to 400 metres long and one smaller feeder vessel of around 250 metres.

The port basin and access channel will have a depth of 17 metres, enabling Świnoujście to receive some of the largest container ships capable of entering the Baltic Sea. A 70-kilometre approach fairway will also be deepened and widened to provide safe access to the new facility.

Capacity of two million TEU

Once fully operational, the terminal will have an annual handling capacity of up to two million TEU, the standard unit used to measure container traffic. Its expected regular throughput is approximately 1.5 million TEU per year, with the possibility of developing the facility in stages.

The scale of the investment could significantly reshape container transport in Poland. In 2025, all Polish ports combined handled a record 3.9 million TEU. Cape Pomerania’s maximum capacity would therefore be equivalent to more than half of the country’s current annual container traffic.

Government officials hope the new terminal will compete for cargo currently passing through major North Sea and Baltic ports. Świnoujście’s location near the German border could allow it to serve not only Poland but also Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.

New railway and road connections

The terminal will be connected to a new network of railway lines, roads, junctions and energy infrastructure. Plans include more than three kilometres of railway approaches and a large rail siding designed to accommodate long freight trains. The development is intended to support intermodal transport, allowing containers to be transferred efficiently between ships, trains and trucks.

Improved land connections will be essential if Świnoujście is to become a major gateway for Central Europe. The port’s success will depend not only on its maritime infrastructure but also on the capacity of railway and road networks to move large volumes of cargo inland without creating bottlenecks.

Civilian and military role

Cape Pomerania is being designed as a dual-use facility serving both commercial shipping and military logistics. Its deep-water berths, extensive storage areas and rail connections could allow the port to receive military vessels, equipment and supplies.

Polish officials argue that the project will therefore contribute to both economic and national security. Its location on NATO’s eastern flank could make Świnoujście an important logistics point for allied forces operating in the Baltic region.

The port will also be located close to strategic energy infrastructure, including the LNG terminal and facilities supporting offshore wind development. Together, these investments are transforming Świnoujście into one of Poland’s most important maritime, energy and logistics centres.

Completion expected around 2030

The entire Cape Pomerania complex is currently scheduled for completion around 2030. Before the terminal can begin operations, contractors will need to reclaim land, construct breakwaters and quays, deepen the approach channel and port basin, and complete the necessary road, railway and energy infrastructure.

The Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority describes Cape Pomerania as the largest investment in its more than 75-year history. Should the project be delivered according to plan, it could substantially increase Poland’s share of Baltic container traffic and provide Central Europe with a new direct connection to global shipping routes.