On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, the Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. submitted an application to the Regional Director for Environmental Protection in Gdańsk for a decision on the environmental conditions of the investment entitled "Construction of the Outer Port" at the Port of Gdynia. This is an important moment for the development of the Port of Gdynia and the region.

In the interests of the natural environment and the inhabitants of the city of Gdynia, the Port authorities have carried out a series of analyzes and studies aimed at examining the potential impact of the investment on the surroundings.

One of the essential aspects for Gdynia is to maintain the characteristic, maritime and industrial character of the surrounding landscape. Therefore, in the first place, valorization and comprehensive analysis of the impact on the landscape were carried out.

The analysis showed that despite the industrial landscape visible to the observer, the variant of the Outer Port selected for implementation will allow to maintain a wide view of the Bay's waters. Considering the industrial nature of the port and not forgetting that the city of Gdynia started with the vision of building the first Polish port, no negative impact of the investment on the local community is expected.

Additionally, the Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. planned to build an observation tower crowning the outer pier together with a pedestrian and bicycle alley, which will allow a view of the Gdańsk Bay and the Hel Peninsula.

It will be the next landmark on the city map.

One of the priority analyzes was to investigate the potential impact of the Outer Port, both on the habitats and on the hydrodynamic conditions in the water. On the basis of the models made, we can assure the residents of Gdynia and tourists that the construction of an external pier will not disturb the flow of water deep into the Puck Bay. The research also included the analysis of sediment movement. Computer simulations have shown that no negative impact on beaches and cliffs is expected,
in the vicinity of the port. The condition of the beaches and bathing areas we use will not change or deteriorate.

The priority task for the port services was to select the most environmentally friendly solution from all analyzed variants, in terms of noise. Taking care of the good of the local community contributed to the change of the originally outlined shape of the outer pier. During the work on the environmental impact report, noise propagation in the vicinity of the pier and the port was thoroughly analyzed using the latest technologies.

Based on the results obtained, the Port of Gdynia Authority S.A., being aware of the potential threats and impacts of noise, changed the project in favor of a variant whose impact on the acoustic climate in this area is significantly smaller.

A multi-level, annual analysis of the impact on organisms living in the Gulf of Gdansk area has shown that they will not be damaged due to the construction or operation of a new pier at the Port of Gdynia. It is especially important as the region boasts favorable conditions for the living of birds and underwater plants.

"Inventory of nature in the areas intended for the planned investment" Construction of the Outer Port in the Port of Gdynia "was carried out under the supervision of prof. related dr hab. Włodzimierz Meissner and dr hab. Mariusz Sapota, professor at the University of Gdańsk. The work included studies of marine avifauna in the Natura 200 Zatoka Pucka PLB220005 area, studies of selected breeding bird species in the Natura 200 Zatoka Pucka PLB220005 area on the island breakwater and the coal pier in the Port of Gdynia, as well as an inventory of the species composition of the avifauna. The works have been completed with a comprehensive study ”- comments Dr. Sebastian Susmarski, Director of the Analysis Center and Expertise from the University of Gdańsk.

At the same time, in order to integrate the new road and rail communication system and the structure of the pier itself into the urban fabric, elements of small architecture will be introduced. The above-mentioned elements of urban adaptation to the surrounding landscape have been designed in such a way as to maintain the modernist and port character of our city.