23 September 2022 – 100 years of the Port of Gdynia

In connection with the celebrations of the 100^th anniversary of the Port of Gdynia, the company’s Management Board would like to invite you to the anniversary events scheduled for 23 September:

8:00 – Holy Mass for the intention of Seafarers at the Maritime Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Peter the Fisherman

(2 Portowa Street, Gdynia).

The Mass will be followed by the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Port of Gdynia.

9:30 – Ceremonial unveiling of a monument of the Builders of the Port of Gdynia – Tadeusz Wenda and Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski

(Portowe Quay, Pilot Spur, next to the Port of Gdynia Captain’s Office, 2 Polska Street)

For 100 years, the Port of Gdynia has been building the future of the city, the economy and business. It is a generator of development in the region and Poland’s gateway to the world. The maritime industry and the port’s activities give character to a city whose tradition and past, past and future achievements, are inextricably linked.

In 1920, under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Poland regained access to the sea that had been lost during the partitions.

For full sovereignty, key economic decisions were needed to achieve the country’s economic independence. As Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski, builder of the port and city of Gdynia, said: “Poland without its own seacoast and without its own fleet will never be united, independent, economically and politically independent, respected in the great family of states and nations, or able to secure the conditions of existence, progress work and prosperity for its citizens”.

Engineer Tadeusz Wenda not only identified the site for the construction of the Port of Gdynia, but also designed and supervised its construction.

In his report he wrote:

“The most convenient place for the construction of a war port (as well as a commercial one, if necessary) is Gdynia, or rather the lowland between Gdynia and Oksywa”. He argued his choice not least because Gdynia has favourable hydrographic conditions, is sheltered from the winds, and there is a railway station nearby.

On 23 September 1922 the Sejm passed an act on the construction of the Port of Gdynia. 23 September will mark one hundred years since the date considered to be the beginning of the Port of Gdynia – the window on the world of independent Poland built by many generations of Poles.

Port of Gdynia Authority S.A. would like to celebrate the Port’s dignified jubilee in a ceremonial way, as well as to preserve for posterity the memory of people who, with their enthusiasm, knowledge and unparalleled enthusiasm, contributed to the creation and development of this most important investment of the reborn Poland.

WE INVITE YOU!