International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has strengthened its foothold in Europe’s growing logistics market after its Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Poland welcomed the largest container ship ever to call at the Port of Gdynia, marking a milestone expected to boost the country’s trade capacity.
The ICTSI-operated terminal successfully handled the maiden call of MSC Venice, a 399-meter container vessel with a capacity of 16,652 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), making it the largest and longest ship ever to berth at the Polish port.
The record-setting call also marked the completion of BCT’s terminal modernization program, highlighting the facility’s expanded capability to accommodate next-generation ultra-large container vessels operating in the Baltic Sea.
“The arrival of MSC Venice is a defining moment for BCT and the Port of Gdynia,” said BCT Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chan. “It validates the significant investments made by all stakeholders to accommodate the next generation of larger container ships and reinforces our position as a deep-water gateway port to support Poland’s economic growth.”
The milestone follows years of infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of new quay cranes and modern yard equipment that have significantly increased cargo-handling capacity and operational efficiency.
Port of Gdynia Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Piotr Gorzeński said the vessel’s arrival reflects the success of a broader modernization program that included deepening the harbor, rebuilding Helskie Quay and expanding Turning Basin No. 2 to accommodate larger vessels.
“The maiden call of MSC Venice is a historic moment and a very tangible result of the investments that have transformed the capabilities of our ports in recent years,” Gorzeński said.
The successful operation further strengthens Gdynia’s position as one of the Baltic region’s emerging deep-water logistics hubs at a time when global shipping lines are deploying increasingly larger vessels to improve efficiency and lower transport costs.
ICTSI said the milestone was achieved through close coordination with the Port of Gdynia Authority, the Maritime Office in Gdynia, the Polish Navy and other stakeholders.
For ICTSI, the achievement reinforces its strategy of expanding the capacity and competitiveness of its international port network while positioning BCT to capture rising cargo volumes as Poland’s role in European and global trade continues to grow.
