The Regional Administrative Court in Warsaw dismissed complaints regarding the container terminal in Świnoujście

The Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw on Monday (August 4) dismissed a complaint by environmental organizations regarding the environmental decision for the construction of a deepwater container terminal in Świnoujście. Previously, the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority announced that plans for this investment were still on track. Work on the project is ongoing by both the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority (ZMPSiŚ) and the consortium of QTerminals (Qatar) and DEME Consessions (Belgium), which will be responsible for financing, construction, and operation of the terminal.

As a reminder, the environmental decision issued by the General Director for Environmental Protection was appealed by the German organization Lebensraum Vorpommern and the Polish association Zielone Wyspy Świnoujście. The appeal indicated, among other things, that the investment would result in increased ship traffic, increased noise, pollutant emissions, the risk of accidents and spills, as well as the dangers associated with deepening the seabed, which may contain unexploded ordnance from World War II.

In her ruling, Anita Wielopolska, Judge of the Warsaw Regional Administrative Court, stated that after analysing extensive evidence, the court came to the conclusion that the General Director for Environmental Protection had not infringed the applicable regulations in any way: he had carried out the necessary arrangements with the authorities, obtained appropriate opinions, and considered all the allegations raised in the appeals.

The judge also noted that the General Directorate for Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) had analysed and responded to all the allegations raised by the German organisation, while the Seaports and Environmental Protection Authority (ZMPSiŚ) had been requested to supplement the environmental report and had fulfilled this obligation.

"Contrary to the German association's claims, their comments and suggestions were taken into account," the judge stated. "Consultations were held, including cross-border consultations, and they concluded with a protocol incorporating all the findings."

The judgment is not final and the parties may appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Let us add that on July 21 this year, the Regional Administrative Court suspended (until August 4) the immediate enforceability of the environmental decision, and the Seaports Authority appealed against this decision.

– As I have said many times, no one will stop this investment – commented on Monday’s decision of the Provincial Administrative Court, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka.

More on this topic in "Kurier Szczeciński" and eKurier from August 5, 2025.

(ek)