The Regional Administrative Court (WSA) threw out complaints filed by Germany’s Bürgerinitiative Lebensraum Vorpommern from Usedom and Poland’s Zielone Wyspy Świnoujście against the decision issued in February by the General Director for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ).
Judge Anita Wielopolska said GDOŚ complied with the law, obtained required opinions and addressed all objections, including those raised by the German group.
She added that cross-border consultations were conducted and recorded, and that the investor supplemented its environmental report as requested.
Parties may still appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA).
In July, the court temporarily blocked implementation of the environmental decision.
Monday’s ruling means the project will not be halted.
“The investment project will be carried out … One can build and that will be done,” said Jarosław Siergiej, head of the Szczecin–Świnoujście Seaports Authority, noting the port has challenged the July suspension order.
The terminal, coordinated by the infrastructure ministry and led by the Szczecin–Świnoujście port authority, is planned for completion in 2029.
It is expected to handle about 2 million containers annually.
Project costs are estimated at about PLN 2.5 billion (EUR 585 million) for the terminal and roughly PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.35 billion) for related maritime infrastructure.
Designed to serve the largest ocean-going ships entering the Baltic—up to 400 meters—the facility would berth two container vessels at once.
A new 65-km approach channel with 17-meter depth is planned, and construction is expected to be carried out by a consortium from Qatar and Belgium.
(jh)
Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.