The raw material was likely transited from Ukraine, as the port has not handled iron ore cargoes since 2017 until 2022
In 2023, the Polish port of Gdynia increased iron ore transshipment by 33.3% compared to 2022, to 8 thousand tons. This is evidenced by data on the company's official website.
The raw materials were likely in transit from Ukraine, as the port had not handled iron ore cargo since 2017 before 2022, the start of Russia's full-scale invasion and blockade of Ukrainian seaports. In 2022, port workers in Gdynia moved 6 thousand tons of iron ore.
In total, in 2023, the Port of Gdynia handled 29.4 million tons of cargo, an increase of 5.2% compared to 2022. Grains accounted for the largest volume of cargo transshipment – 6.76 million of tons (+42.7% per year), and coal – 2.82 million tons (-17% per year). Container handling in the year was 873.89 thousand TEU, 4.4% less than in the previous year.
Since 2022, Poland is one of Ukraine's three largest iron ore export destinations. In 2023, 19.6% of Ukraine's total iron ore exports, around 3.3 million tonnes, were exported to Poland.
Last year, Ukraine reduced iron ore exports by 26% compared to 2022, to 17.75 million tons. Compared to 2021 before the war, raw material exports decreased by 60%. In addition to Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are among the main consumers of iron ore.
This year, shipments of mining and metal products through ports in countries closer to the EU may decline as Ukrainian port workers gradually establish operations through the temporary maritime corridor opened in August. Overall, Ukrainian ports increased cargo transshipment by 5% compared to the previous year, to 62 million tons. Iron ore transshipment accounted for 5.9% of the total volume of cargo handled, or 1.9 million tons.
