Preconditions of new container terminal location in the Maritime Spatial Planning framework. A case study for the Central Port Concept in Gdańsk

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has gained momentum recently. Almost all EU coastal states prepare various types of maritime spatial plans. These will create important preconditions for port functioning and development and improve ports’ competitive position. There is no uniform attempt to prepare MSP for the sea waters of ports. Experience in that area is limited. These challenges are discussed in the paper. The Polish approach to MSP is analysed and evaluated from the perspective of port and sea transport competitiveness. Container ports and their terminals must be accessible and able to perform fast, reliable and just in time operations to remain competitive and to handle the expected growth. Sufficient space is necessary for that. Expanding ports should, however, keep their environmental footprint under control. These issues are crucial for the Port of Gdańsk, where the huge investment project ”Central Port” was launched in 2018. One of the most important elements in this project is the construction of a new deep-water container terminal and new seaward ro-ro terminal. The article explores the threats and opportunities for the processes of port and terminals relocation/migration under new MSP conditions, based on a case study of the Port of Gdańsk. Key conflicts of seaward port development were identified with the protection of cultural heritage, national defence coastal defence, well-being of marine fauna and lying technical infrastructure. They informed multi-level and multi-sector stakeholder dialogue within the Polish MSP resulting in proposal of some mitigation measures. These measures were analysed in this paper and on this basis key problems in orchestrating MSP and port development were highlighted. They are related to timing of both processes (MSP and port development), ways of deciding on necessary trade-offs and different value systems behind MSP and profit driven port investments.