photo: Budimex/ Public domain/Baltic Hub Terminal in Poland
The Gdańsk terminal has undergone a remarkable transformation—an entirely new island for cargo transport has been built on what was once open water. A time-lapse video captures the dynamic shift, poised to make Gdańsk one of the region's major logistics centers.
In the port of Gdańsk, a unique transformation has taken place. Where there was once only open water, now stands a fully functional logistics island, significantly boosting Poland’s freight capacity. This project, executed by the Budimex and Deme Dredging consortium, includes the construction of Baltic Hub T3, a 36.5-hectare artificial island connecting sea, road, and rail transport into an efficient logistics hub. The project costs reach EUR 470 million, and once completed in the second quarter of 2025, it will feature a 717-meter-long quay wall with a depth of 17.5 meters, ready to accommodate the world’s largest container ships.
Strategically located in the heart of Central Europe, the new T3 Baltic Hub terminal is designed to facilitate and speed up the flow of goods between northern and southern European markets. This logistics hub raises Gdańsk’s capacity to 4.5 million TEU annually, an increase of 1.5 million TEU from the current levels. Equipped with eight dockside cranes and 28 semi-automated RMG cranes, the terminal enables fast, safe cargo handling, reducing ship turnaround times and enhancing overall transport efficiency. The arrival of the RMG cranes—captured in the images—marks a milestone, having traveled from China aboard the ship Zhen Hua 36 for two months.
Budimex Connects Maritime and Rail Transport in Baltic HUB T3
One of the main advantages of the Baltic Hub T3 is its direct rail connection, which makes it a vital transshipment point for inland transportation routes across Europe. The efficient linkage between sea and rail transport will allow quicker distribution of goods into Central and Eastern Europe, reducing reliance on congested road networks. This integration allows Gdańsk to better serve as Europe’s entry point for Asian goods, strengthening its strategic role in the continent’s transport network. Nearby, Budimex has also completed a large-scale modernization of Gdynia Port’s railway infrastructure, boosting the capacity of this transport hub.
Budimex Moves from Baltic Hub T3 to Czech Railways
After its success in Poland, Budimex is increasingly focusing on expanding into the Czech Republic, seeing substantial growth potential and an opportunity to leverage its expertise. In December 2022, the company opened a branch in Prague and has since been actively involved in key infrastructure projects, such as constructing a section of the D35 highway between Džbánov and Litomyšl. Budimex believes the Czech market holds promise similar to that of Poland’s market a decade ago. With planned investments in Czech road and rail infrastructure, Budimex aims to contribute as a construction contractor and an innovative player, bringing insights from Polish projects.
Budimex Eyes Czech High-Speed Rail
Budimex is setting its sights on modernizing Czech railway infrastructure emphasizing high-speed rail development. Leveraging its experience from Polish projects, the company seeks to strengthen Czechia's logistics network and streamline transport routes. "We are ready to be part of high-speed rail in the Czech Republic,” said Maciej Olek, a Budimex board member, in an interview with RAILTARGET. Budimex recently participated as a major partner at the prestigious Rail Business Days in Ostrava, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in rail transport.“We make it a priority to stay active and monitor the development of planned high-speed rail projects, including their PPP formats," Olek added, underscoring Budimex’s ambitions to become a significant player in Czech railway infrastructure.
Source: BUDIMEX; RAILTARGET