From the Baltic Sea to Central Europe: Ostrava Hosts Debate on New Logistics Routes

New logistics routes, the development of intermodal transport and stronger north–south connections were the main topics of a conference in Ostrava. The meeting brought representatives of the Polish ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście together with Czech companies to discuss how businesses in the region can make better use of access to the Baltic.

New logistics routes between the Baltic Sea and Central Europe, the development of intermodal transport and the growing importance of north–south connections were the main topics of a conference held in Ostrava on 23–24 September.

The conference focused on opportunities to develop logistics cooperation between the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście and markets in the Czech Republic, Silesia, Slovakia and other Central European countries. The programme covered intermodal transport, the development of transport corridors and the potential of ports as gateways for international trade.

The second day of the conference, 24 September, also marks exactly 100 years since the decree establishing Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP) was issued.

"I am pleased that on this symbolic day we can meet in Ostrava and connect Czech businesses with representatives of the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście," said Łukasz Grzesło, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL. "It is a good opportunity not only to discuss the potential of Polish ports, but above all to look at specific north–south logistics chains. The PKP Group has all the elements needed to build such a chain: rail transport, terminals, logistics expertise and access to Polish ports. PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL plays a special role in this context – we are a natural link between the Czech Republic and the Polish logistics system, and we want to strengthen this role consistently."

Modern Logistics Depends on Integrating Different Modes of Transport

A port is no longer simply a place where goods are transferred. It is part of the entire supply chain, making partnerships between seaports, railways, intermodal terminals and cargo recipients increasingly important.

The Ostrava conference provided an opportunity to show how such a cooperation model could work between the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście and Central European markets, according to Rafał Zahorski, Representative for Port Development at the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority.

The development of logistics links between Polish ports and the southern part of Central Europe was also among the topics discussed. In this context, the Paskov terminal can play an important role as a base for intermodal transport serving the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and other countries in the region.

The Potential of the Ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście

The conference brought together representatives of ports, terminal operators, carriers, logistics companies and businesses using maritime and rail transport. The meeting was intended to present the potential of the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście and provide an opportunity to exchange experience on the development of international transport corridors.

The event was organised by the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority SA, the Szczecin Port Stakeholders Council, the Świnoujście Port Stakeholders Council and the Maritime University of Technology in Szczecin. PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL and the Katowice Regional Chamber of Commerce were partners of the event.

PKP CARGO INTERNATIONAL specialises in international rail transport and logistics services, particularly in Central and Southern European markets. The company has its own transport capacity and operates the Paskov intermodal terminal near Ostrava, close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.