Poland’s Rail Freight: Baltic Port Upgrades & PLK Projects

Introduction

Upgrades to rail access have enabled longer and heavier freight trains to reach the Baltic Sea ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia. Further enhancements are planned to continue increasing rail freight capacity.

Upcoming Rail Projects

Work is scheduled from 2025–2032 on two key sections: Gdańsk Osowa–Gdynia Główna and Kościerzyna–Maksymilianowo. These upgrades aim to boost line capacity and freight throughput at Gdynia’s port, fostering growth across the Tricity region.

Tczew–Gdynia Corridor Enhancements

Preparations are also underway for a design-and-build tender focused on enhancing capacity along the Tczew–Gdynia corridor, notably between Pszczółki and Pruszcz Gdański. The project plans for a four-track layout to facilitate both freight access to Gdańsk’s port and improved passenger connectivity within the Tricity and beyond. Construction is slated for 2028–2030.

Completed Infrastructure Improvements

Completed projects from 2019–2022 in Gdańsk and Gdynia have already enhanced station capacity, enabling longer and heavier trains. This has strengthened rail’s competitiveness with road freight, reducing heavy goods vehicles traffic and environmental impact. The upgrades comprised track and turnout renewals, electrification, advanced traffic-control systems, and engineering works, supported by approximately PLN 3.3 billion (EUR 775 million) in investment, partly funded by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Bydgoszcz to Tricity Modernization

A flagship initiative for Gdynia is the modernisation of railway line 201 between Bydgoszcz and the Tricity. Beginning in 2021, this project is on course for completion by 2028.

Conclusion

Investments led by Polish State Railways (PLK) are crucial to expanding rail freight capacity at the Baltic Sea ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia.

Company Summary

Polish State Railways (PLK): The entity leading infrastructure investments to expand rail freight capacity.