The Port of Gdansk has joined the ranks of European ports with direct container service to the United States. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping operator with a fleet of over 850 vessels, has included Gdansk in the route of its Albatros line with regular calls to New York and Charleston. The first voyage on the new schedule was the MSC BERANGERE from Gdansk on August 14. The delivery time is 13 days to New York and 17 days to Charleston.
The new route is serviced by Baltic Hub, the largest container terminal in the Baltic, handling over 2 million TEU per year. The hub plays a key role in combining sea, rail and road transport, providing access to the markets of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Lithuania. MSC notes that the inclusion of Gdansk in the transatlantic rotation strengthens the transport network between Poland and the United States and allows for the integration of the service with domestic logistics.
According to the port, over 80% of Poland’s trade turnover with the US is export, with auto components, aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals, furniture and food products predominating. Direct communication will reduce delivery times and costs, increasing the competitiveness of Polish exporters. “This is the first real and fastest direct connection to the US, which strengthens Gdansk’s position on the global logistics map,” said Dominik Landa, Director of Strategy and Development at the port.