The Ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście recorded nearly three percent growth of cargo handling in the past nine months of the year. In the forefront of cargo types handled are fuels, break bulk and grain. The increased cargo handling is possible due to the operation of the gas terminal and new grain terminals, as well as a continuous increase in traffic in the Świnoujście Ferry Terminal.

In total, the ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście handled over 17.6 million tons of cargo, which is 475.7 thousand tons more than in the corresponding period of last year. Fuels increased by 26.5 %, which translated into 341.1 thousand tons, an increase from 1,288.2 to 1,629.3 thousand tons, respectively in 2015 and 2016. Break bulk increased by 11.2 % that is by 926 thousand tons, which translates into an increase from 8,250.6 to 9,176.6 thousand tons, respectively in 2015 and in 2016. This includes increase in general cargo transported by ferries by 9 %, i.e. conventional and container general cargo combined. The increase in grain was 5.2 %, which is 70.9 thousand tons, an increase from 1,357.7 to 1,428.6 thousand tons, respectively in 2015 and 2016. The ports also handled more containers by 3.8 % from 61,770 TEU to 64,123 TEU, respectively in 2015 and 2016.

Unfortunately, a decrease has continued in such cargo groups as other bulk (-16.8 %), coal (-12.6 %) and ore (-9.5 %) as a result of the global downturn.

The Ports Authority has applied a prudent approach to estimating the volume of cargo handling. 2016 should be similar to the previous year and the ports should exceed the total of 23 million tons.