The PLN2.0b (about €420m) investment was officially commissioned on 17 September 2022, allowing Poland to access its part of the Vistula Lagoon directly.

Ships 100 m long (180 m for a set of barges) and 20 m wide, with a 4.5 m draft, can pass the new infrastructure (measuring 1,300 m).

Maritime Office in Gdynia's Zodiak II multipurpose workboat (60.1 by 12.8 m) was the first vessel that passed the Vistula Spit Canal.

The following day, 95 ships went through the canal.

The canal's lock is 230 m long, 25 m wide, and 6.5 m deep. There are four gates leading to it. The investment also comprises two swing bridges.

There is a sheltered harbour (1,000 m of east and 500 m of west breakwaters made of x-block plus prefabricates) for vessels arriving from the side of Gdańsk Bay.

For the Port of Elbląg (125.1kt of cargo traffic and 33.6k passengers in 2021) to serve larger ships, thanks to the Vistula Spit Canal, the banks of the Elbląg River will be restored and reinforced, and another swing bridge will be constructed.

The final phase will involve dredging the port's fairway.

Earlier, ships sailing to and from the Vistula Lagoon had to pass the sea territory of the Kaliningrad Oblast, obtaining crossing permits.

Photo: NDI/Besix