[Jane's Defence: Chinese-Backed Operator Advances to NATO Civil-Military Dual-Use Port Development Project]

According to the UK-based Jane's Defence Weekly website (Janes), on July 23, 2026: On July 14, 2026, the Gdynia Port Authority extended the bidding deadline, requiring four shortlisted consortia to submit their proposals for the public-private partnership (PPP) development of the Gdynia Outer Container Terminal. The submission deadline has been set for September 30, 2026.

Gdynia Port is a strategically significant military hub, surrounded by multiple key Polish military installations and responsible for specialized NATO military logistics support tasks. The outer port is planned as dual-use infrastructure, featuring large cargo yards and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) facilities, serving both commercial freight operations and supporting rapid deployment of NATO and EU forces. The Polish Armed Forces General Staff stated that once completed, this terminal will shorten the mobilization time for allied military units during armed conflicts.

Among the four shortlisted bidders, two have Chinese capital involvement: the China-Europe Mota-Engil Group and Hutchison Ports Poland—Felixstowe Port Limited consortium. Mota-Engil is a state-owned enterprise under China Communications Construction Company (CCCC); CCCC acquired a 32.4% stake in this Portuguese firm in 2021. Felixstowe Port is a UK subsidiary of Hutchison Ports, which is operated by a major Hong Kong-based conglomerate. Recent negotiations concerning its Panama Canal port projects highlight how Chinese authorities can exert influence at the policy and regulatory levels over the company’s business operations.

The existing Gdynia Container Terminal, acquired since 2004, is fully owned by Hutchison Ports and has already been upgraded into a deep-water port area, with parallel expansion of its railway hub. Adjacent to it is the larger Baltic Container Terminal—the NATO maritime and military transfer center—where U.S. and allied tanks, combat vehicles, and other heavy equipment are loaded and unloaded. Although the Gdynia Container Terminal primarily handles civilian cargo, reports indicate that in August 2023, a U.S. military transport vessel, the *Cape D’Aguilar*, had its route temporarily altered to request docking at the terminal for transporting military aid supplies to Poland and Ukraine, but was denied by Hutchison Ports. Additionally, Hutchison Ports previously participated in the 2021 bidding process for the Baltic Container Terminal operating rights but failed to win; the project ultimately went to the Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), a company also among the bidders for this outer port project.

Gdynia Port regularly hosts joint military exercises involving the United States and its allies, including the largest multinational naval exercise in the Baltic Sea conducted by NATO. As a crucial U.S. landing and assembly hub in Europe, it serves as a key entry point for American military assistance to Ukraine. The port is adjacent to the Gdynia Naval Base—the NATO Baltic Submarine Force headquarters—while also housing Poland’s Third Naval Squadron, the largest tactical unit and core striking force within the Polish Navy. Nearby shipyards are currently constructing Poland’s first “Swordfish”-class frigates. During World War II, Allied forces conducted multiple air raids on this port and shipyard complex.

Estimated total investment volume makes this tender the largest public-private partnership project in Poland to date. The winning private partner will be responsible for designing and constructing the new container terminal, raising approximately 5 billion zloty (equivalent to $131 million USD), and jointly operating the terminal with the Gdynia Port Authority.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872495335522379/

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