Published by Actia Forum, the latest Port Monitor report presents the performance of Polish seaports in the first half of 2025. The data shows that the total cargo throughput of Polish ports in H1 2025 amounted to 68,462.7 thousand tonnes, which is 1.05% more than in the same period of 2024 (+708.1 thousand tonnes).
Polish ports recorded declines in four cargo groups: coal and coke (-8.22%), grain (-33.09%), wood (-0.09%), and fuels (-1.50%). In other categories, increases were observed: other bulk (+16.42%), general cargo (+9.60%), and ore (+45.66%).
In the Port of Gdynia, the first half of 2025 saw a 4.78% decrease in cargo volumes, or 656 thousand tonnes less, mainly due to a significant drop in grain handling—down by 1,108.4 thousand tonnes (-33.47%). A similar trend in grain was seen at the Port of Szczecin-Świnoujście (-40.56%). In the Port of Gdańsk, grain volumes also dropped (-26.41%), and fuel handling slowed as well (-4.75%).
General Cargo Gaining, Bulk Cargo Losing Ground
Over the past year, the share of cargo groups in the overall cargo structure of Polish ports has shifted. All ports recorded growth in general cargo volumes: Gdańsk (+12.23%), Gdynia (+5.53%), and Szczecin-Świnoujście (+5.53%), strengthening this group’s role in port operations. Previously, the decline in bulk cargo share was mainly due to drops in coal and grain volumes. In H1 2025, a decline in liquid fuel throughput (-0.95 pp) also contributed to this structural change, despite this segment’s earlier rapid growth.
Polish ports handled 8.22% less coal in H1 2025 than a year earlier—a decrease of 365 thousand tonnes, bringing volumes close to pre-war levels (before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022). After record years in 2022–2023, coal handling has declined significantly. In 2024, total coal throughput was only half the level seen in the previous two years. The downward trend continued into 2025, with the largest drop in the Port of Gdańsk (-405.7 thousand tonnes). In contrast, the Port of Gdynia saw a small increase of 31.6 thousand tonnes, while the Szczecin-Świnoujście port complex reported a 1.36% rise.
Other Bulk: Growth Amid General Declines
The “other bulk” cargo group recorded a 16.42% increase compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 4,410.0 thousand tonnes across major ports. Szczecin-Świnoujście led the category with 2,022.7 thousand tonnes (+14.48%). Gdańsk followed with 1,911.1 thousand tonnes (up from 1,527.9 in H1 2024). In contrast, Gdynia saw a 3.45% drop to 476.2 thousand tonnes.
Grain handling dropped sharply by 1,985.7 thousand tonnes in H1 2025. The first quarter already showed a 31.64% year-on-year decline. According to Eurostat, Polish grain exports for the July 2024–June 2025 season (11 months) were 27% lower than the same period the previous year. However, this decline follows a record-high export season in 2023/2024, so the drop comes off a high base.
Ore Throughput on the Rise
In H1 2025, ore throughput rose by 45.66%, although this is primarily due to a low base in 2024. Overall, Polish ports have seen a downward trend in this segment: 861 thousand tonnes in H1 2023 and 1,928 thousand tonnes in H1 2022. The Szczecin-Świnoujście complex handled three-quarters of this volume—458.6 thousand tonnes. The rest was managed by the Port of Gdańsk. Gdynia does not handle ore.
Fuels: General Decline, But LNG Record in Świnoujście
In H1 2025, Polish ports handled 25,093.5 thousand tonnes of fuels, a 1.5% year-on-year decline. The only increase was in Szczecin-Świnoujście (+23.61%), where the Świnoujście LNG terminal set a half-year record with 40 LNG deliveries—typically a level reached only by September in previous years, suggesting 2025 may break all-time records.
Fuel handling in Gdynia dropped by 19.84% year-on-year, although Q2 saw a strong rebound (+48.78% vs Q1). Gdańsk, the main oil port, handled 19,162.4 thousand tonnes of crude oil and petroleum products—down 4.75% year-on-year. Despite this slowdown, fuels remain central to port development. In May, a new berth for tankers (“W”) received construction approval. Meanwhile, the FSRU project in the Gulf of Gdańsk advanced, with an April agreement signed for the construction of offshore and subsea infrastructure.
Szczecin-Świnoujście Leads in Timber Handling
Timber throughput slightly declined by 0.09% in H1 2025, totaling 267.8 thousand tonnes. While volumes grew slightly in each port, Szczecin-Świnoujście accounted for the largest share (190.6 thousand tonnes). Timber handling fell in Gdynia (-16.84%) and Gdańsk (-25.24%) compared to H1 2024.
General Cargo Growing Across All Ports
Between January and June 2025, Polish ports handled 29,973.2 thousand tonnes of general cargo—a 9.60% increase. All ports contributed to this growth, with Gdańsk leading (+12.23%, or +1,416.8 thousand tonnes). Gdynia followed (+763.6 thousand tonnes), and Szczecin-Świnoujście added +445.4 thousand tonnes, partly due to the Malmö service celebrating its first anniversary in April.
Container Boom and New Services
Container handling grew by 20.72% in H1 2025. Gdańsk saw the biggest increase (+220,685 TEU, +20.56%), supported by the new T3 terminal and new services from Gemini Alliance (Api Bhum) and Premier Alliance (MSC Rose).
Gdynia posted a +19.18% gain (+86,307 TEU), thanks in part to completing the first phase of modernization at the Helskie Quay. Szczecin-Świnoujście rose by 46.11% (+15,790 TEU), driven by the launch of the Eimskip service at the OT Port Świnoujście terminal.
Freight Traffic: More Units, Especially in Świnoujście
From January to June 2025, Polish ports handled 353,651 freight units (+7.34%). In Świnoujście—the largest ferry port—freight units rose by 8.09%, bolstered by a new ro-ro service launched in April 2024.
Gdynia saw an 8.48% increase over H1 2024. Gdańsk, in contrast, recorded a 17.65% decline in ro-ro unit traffic.
Decline in Regular Passenger Traffic, More Cruise Calls in Gdańsk and Gdynia
Regular passenger traffic dropped in H1 2025. Szczecin-Świnoujście handled 7.8 thousand fewer passengers year-on-year. Gdynia was down 5.15% (2.7 thousand fewer). In contrast, Gdańsk posted a 2.43% increase. Private car traffic declined overall, except in Szczecin-Świnoujście (+2.87%), which helped generate a modest positive result for all ports (+0.73%, or +1.2 thousand tonnes).
In H1 2025, Polish ports hosted 35 cruise ships. Gdańsk welcomed 17 calls with 7,841 passengers (+11.47%), while Gdynia hosted 18 calls with 46,291 passengers (+24.02%). No deep-sea cruise ships called at Szczecin-Świnoujście.
