Port of Gdańsk strengthens its partnership with South-East Asia
The Port of Gdańsk continues to strengthen its position in the global maritime transport system. As part of its efforts to develop international economic relations and expand into Asian markets, the port’s representatives, led by Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Vice-President for Infrastructure, went on a study visit to two key countries in Southeast Asia: Singapore and Malaysia.
The purpose of the visit was to establish direct contacts with leaders in the logistics industry and to strengthen relations with existing partners in Central and Eastern Europe. The agenda included meetings with representatives of major shipowners, port operators and port management boards, as well as visits to strategic locations in the Asian region.
Singapore – gateway to Asia
The first location they visited was Singapore, a city-state considered one of the world’s most important logistics hubs. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of major shipping lanes, the port of Singapore has been at the forefront of global container ports for years. In 2023, 38.8 million TEU were handled there, making it the second largest port in the world, just behind Shanghai. The port’s main operator is PSA International, a logistics giant that manages 179 terminals in 45 countries.
They also visited the headquarters in Singapore of the Japanese shipping company, Ocean Network Express (ONE). At the beginning of 2025 this company launched a new, regular PLS short-sea service that directly connects Singapore with the ports of Hamburg, Rotterdam, Gdynia and Gdańsk. The new connection is an important extension of the transport offer and complements the existing SBX service, which calls at Gdynia, Rotterdam and Antwerp.
‘Direct connections to Asia have become crucial for Polish ports. Thanks to partnerships with such operators as ONE, Gdańsk strengthens its position as a distribution centre for Central and Eastern Europe’, says Krzysztof Kaczmarek.
Malaysia – a rapidly growing partner
Another item on the agenda was a visit to Malaysia, a country that has become a much more important participant in global trade. The country is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, and its exports are based on advanced technologies, the electronics industry, fuels and raw materials processing.
The Port of Gdańsk’s representatives visited Port Klang, the country’s largest seaport, located near the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Like Singapore, the port benefits from its proximity to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, through which more than 80,000 ships pass each year.
The meetings focused on the possibilities of strengthening trade partnerships, developing joint logistics initiatives and measures aimed at increasing the efficiency of sea transport on the Asia–Europe route.
Direction: global partnership
In recent years the Port of Gdańsk has intensively developed its infrastructure and services, which means that increasing numbers of global logistics operators and shipowners are interested in working with the port.
‘By meeting our partners from Singapore and Malaysia face-to-face, we can plan the expansion of our network more effectively and adapt our services to meet the rapidly changing global market. It is also an opportunity to showcase the potential of the Port of Gdańsk as a hub for Central and Eastern Europe’, said Krzysztof Kaczmarek.
The Port of Gdańsk is the largest in Poland and one of the most important deep water ones in the Baltic Sea region. In 2024, it achieved very good cargo handling results and record financial results and continues to invest in the development of infrastructure and the digitalisation of port operations.
