CONFERENCE LANGUAGE: English

4-5 November 2009

Port of Gdynia Authority SA
9 Rotterdamska Str., Gdynia, POLAND

Theme of the year:

Difficult times - new opportunities for Baltic ferry and ro-ro transport

Main topics

• Baltic marketin the global crisis times
• New vision of Baltic ferry and ro-ro market operations
• Fleet and seaports investments opportunities on the Baltic
• Requirements of ferry and ro-ro market development as the environmental friendly alternative for road transport

With faith in future. The fourth edition of Baltic Ro-Ro and Ferry Conference 2009 in Gdynia completed 

“Difficult times – new opportunities, for Baltic ro-ro and ferry transport” were the topic of the fourth edition of Baltic Ro-Ro and Ferry Conference 2009. Key players of the sea transport market gathered in the seat of the Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. They discussed the ways to survive in times so difficult for the economy and if there are any innovative solutions, which may help in the development of the sea transport sector. All participants mutually agreed that the crisis is slowly coming to an end. In order to make it through we need to cooperate and learn the opinions of companies, which is facilitated by conferences like the Baltic Ro-Ro and Ferry Conference 2009.

What is the strategy for ending crisis in the Baltic Sea Region? - according to prof. Jacek Zaucha from the University of Gdańsk this questions should be directed to the representatives of maritime sector. However, with his lecture Jacek Zaucha helped the participants to answer this question by showing four pillars they should base on: environment friendly attitude, successful market, attractiveness and availability and maritime safety in the countries of the Baltic Sea Region. Most of all the role of the Baltic Sea in the transport system of the region should be increased by e.g. development of seaports - said prof. Zaucha.

There words were confirmed by other speakers, who during the first session of the Conference talked about the future, "new vision" of ro-ro and ferry transport in the Baltic Region. Staffan Herlin, Executive Vice President Finnlines Plc, in his speech pointed out the fast pace of the recession. The word that best described it was - a shock. However, he also emphasised that there is a light on the horizon - the increase in the role of the maritime market in the Baltic. - When it all ends the world will never be the same. For sure, it will be full of possibilities - said Staffan Herlin to conclude his presentation.

The crisis definitely had a negative impact on the sea transport. The market shirked by 30 percent. According to dr Maciej Matczak from Polish Naval Academy the recession is coming to an end. The forecasts are that in 2010 the gross national income of countries of the Baltic Region, despite Lithuania and Latvia, will be positive. Whilst in 2011 all counties should record an increase in the gross national income at the level of 1.5-4 percent.

The second session of the Conference was devoted to potential investment possibilities in the fleet and ports of the Baltic market. The representative of Polferries, dr Aneta Wencel, Shipping Policy Division Director, presented the “characteristics of the development of the Polish sea transport from the perspective of Polferries”. Effects of global economic crisis for trade and transport on the line Poland - Scandinavia were less harmful than in other regions and routes. In first two quarters of 2009 a slowdown in traffic on the line Poland - Scandinavia was recorded, however, in the case of passenger transport the loss amounted only to 3 percent and it seems that the market is now stable - said Aneta Wencel. However, more strict actions are necessary, searching new target groups and concentrating on new ro-pax vessels, other than common vessels, designed for truck drivers - she added.

The second day of the Conferences was devoted to considerations regarding the ferry and ro-ro transport as an environment friendly alternative for road transport. Erik Andersson, Head of Public Affairs, from the Port of Stockholm admitted that one of the most popular subject in Europe related to the environment protection is reducing the impact of sea carriages and transport on the natural environment. He also added that the Port of Stockholm makes every endeavour to maximally reduce the discharge of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen. In order to confirm his words, he presented a list showing that since 2005 the discharge of specified chemical substances has dropped accordingly by 45, 60 and 40 percent. This may be an excellent example to follow by other ports in the Baltic Sea Region.

Bjorn Bostrom, Managing Director, Port of Ystad, during his speech, using the example of the port from the South of Sweden, presented how a ferry terminal may become a key element - connector in the supply chain road - sea transport. Showing elements necessary for proper functioning of the terminal, such as well developed infrastructure or the thread of understanding between all shareholders being parts of the transport chain. Bostrom also related to the speech of Staffan Herlin from Finnlines Plc., who said that sea carriers hate ports. We, the representatives of ports, may with all responsibility state that we love carriers - said Bostrom so evoking smile on faces of the participants of the Conference.

Actia Conferences, a department of Actia Forum Sp. z o.o., specializing in organizing international conferences in the broadly defined transport sector. The Baltic Ro-Ro and Ferry Conference is organized on an annual basis, each time in different Baltic seaport. The organisers are already planning the next, fifth, anniversary edition of the Conference. For information regarding the company and events organised by it please refer to www.actiaconferences.com.