According to DCT Gdansk's General Manager, Fred Kamperman, Cape Fulmar discharged 27 20ft and six 40ft containers and loaded two 40ft units: 'For a first call, we were really delighted to see so much cargo. When the shippers were loading these containers in Asia, for example, we were still rushing to finish the terminal in time for 1 June, the start date we had set ourselves 24 months ago. We are confident that we can attract much more cargo and more carriers now that we have been able to demonstrate our ability to perform.
'I feel particularly pleased to see CMA CGM in our port. They said they would be the first, they have been very supportive, even loaning us a number of containers for training purposes, and now we are on their FAS Baltic Poland schedule. We aim to ensure that we justify the faith they have placed in us.'
Roman Łysik, Managing Director, PZKB, general agent for the CMA CGM group in Poland, said: 'I am personally extremely happy to see CMA CGM being the very first deep-sea carrier at DCT Gdansk. I must recall my speech last October at DCT's End of the Pier Show, the party held to celebrate a key milestone in the completion of the land reclamation work, when I said that CMA CGM would be the one to be first at DCT Gdansk. Our principals were first in both of Gdynia's terminals in the past and so it has happened in Gdansk as well.'
Danuta Biłat, DCT Gdansk's Commercial Manager, expressed her thanks to those shippers who had nominated the new terminal as their preferred discharge port: 'For several months, we have been working hard with the local forwarding companies and agents, explaining the benefits we could offer. I would like to thank all of those with cargo on this maiden call for their commitment and belief in what we have to offer here in Gdansk.'
Amongst the containers to be discharged were 23 x 20ft units loaded with steel products. This shipment from Xiamen in China had been freight arranged by Sea-Logistics, Ltd., Gdynia, with port and onward transport within Poland being handled by the Gdynia branch office of Rentrans Cargo Szczecin, Ltd.
Sea-Logistic's President, Dr. Tomasz Kubicki, is delighted to see the opening of the new Gdansk terminal: 'With Polish trade growing rapidly, we need world-class port facilities if exports and imports are to be handled smoothly and efficiently. We at Sea-Logistics will be supporting DCT Gdansk and look forward to handling many more shipments through this port.'
Pawel Sramski, Director of Rentrans Cargo Szczecin, Ltd. (Gdynia branch office), was equally complimentary: 'With its brand-new railhead, linked directly to the Polish rail system, DCT Gdansk is an easy terminal to reach. Road connections are quite good too but we are all hoping that the Polish authorities can speed up the construction of the new A1 motorway link.
'We are also looking forward to the next phase of Gdansk North Port's development, namely the new logistics park to be constructed adjacent to the terminal. This will be of great benefit to the local economy of the 'Tri-City,' Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot.'
