UN/LOCODE: PLSWI📍 Poland
Port of Swinoujscie (UN/LOCODE PLSWI)
❖ Coordinates: 53.9000°N, 14.2500°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Warsaw
❖ UN/LOCODE: PLSWI
## About the Port
Swinoujście (UN/LOCODE: **PLSWI**) is Poland’s northernmost deep‑water seaport, strategically positioned on the **Baltic Sea** at the mouth of the **Dziwna River** and the **Świna‑Kłopacka Strait**. The port occupies a vital geographic node where maritime traffic from the **North Sea**, the **Kattegat**, and the **Baltic Proper** converge, providing a natural gateway to the **European inland waterway network**. Its coordinates (**53.90° N, 14.25° E**) place it within the **West Pomeranian Voivodeship**, granting direct access to major hinterland logistics corridors—including the A6 and A2 motorways and the **E65 rail line**—which facilitate seamless multimodal connectivity to Central and Eastern Europe.
The port’s **free‑trade zone** and **logistics hub** status enable customs‑free processing, making it attractive for trans‑shipment, container handling, bulk cargo, and project cargoes. With a **navigation depth of 11.5 m** at the fairway and a **berth length of up to 300 m**, Swinoujście can accommodate the latest generation of **Panamax** and **New Panamax** vessels, as well as specialized roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) and heavy‑load ships.
## History
The origins of Swinoujście’s maritime activity date back to the **13th century**, when the settlement evolved into a modest fishing and trade harbor. During the **Teutonic Order** period, the town—then known as **Schmargendorf**—served as a defensive outpost against the Slavic tribes. The strategic importance of the location was reinforced in **1655** when the **Swedish Empire** transformed the area into a forward naval base, constructing fortified bastions and shipyards.
In the **19th century**, following the **Prussian annexation**, Swinoujście experienced a renaissance as a commercial port. The **construction of the railway bridge** in 1858 linked the port to the broader Prussian rail network, catalyzing a surge in cargo volumes, particularly timber and grain. The **20th century** saw Swinoujście’s fortunes rise and fall with two world wars; after World War II, the **Polish State Maritime Administration** (Polski Zarządzanie Portami Morskimi) assumed control, modernizing infrastructure to support **coal export** and **steamship services**.
The **1990s** marked a pivotal shift toward privatization and deregulation; the port was transferred to the **Swinoujście Port Authority (SPA)**, which embarked on an ambitious development program aimed at upgrading container terminals, dredging channels, and establishing a dedicated **intermodal logistics park**.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Cargo Terminals
* **Container Terminal** – Operated by **COSCO Shipping Terminal Swinoujście**, the facility spans 45 ha and features **four berths** capable of handling 1.6 million TEU annually. Automated gate systems and **yard‑stacking cranes** of the **Ship‑To‑Shore (STS) type** enable rapid loading/unloading cycles.
* **Bulk Terminal** – Dedicated to **coal, grain, and fertilizer** handling, equipped with **conveyor‑belt systems** and **bulk‑handling cranes** with a capacity of up to **25 000 t/h**.
* **Ro‑Ro & Heavy Cargo** – A specialized yard supports **vehicle roll‑on/roll‑off** operations and **oversized project cargo**, including wind turbine components and industrial structures.
### Navigational Aids & Dredging
The channel depth has been progressively deepened to **11.5 m** (post‑2020 dredging project) to accommodate modern vessel sizes. **Vessel traffic services (VTS)** operate under the **Polish Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre**, ensuring real‑time AIS monitoring, pilotage coordination, and emergency response.
### Support Services
* **Pilotage & Towage** – Licensed pilots with local expertise guide vessel arrivals; towage contracts are managed by **Tugboats Swinoujście Ltd.**, providing **15‑t and 30‑t tugs** on demand.
* **Bunkering** – The port offers **marine diesel** and **LNG bunkering** services, supporting the transition toward greener fuels.
* **Warehousing & Logistics** – An **integrated logistics park** of 120 ha provides temperature‑controlled storage, **cross‑docking**, and **customs‑bonded warehouses**.
### Environmental & Safety Measures
Swinoujście adheres to **EU Directive 2009/16/EC** on port safety and **IMO MARPOL** conventions. The port has invested in **storm‑water management systems** and **oil‑spill response units**, maintaining a **zero‑spillage policy** for all cargo operations.
## Economic Importance
Swinoujście functions as a **critical node in the Baltic logistics chain**, contributing significantly to Poland’s **foreign trade balance**. In 2023, the port handled **approximately 14.7 million tonnes** of cargo, representing **~7 %** of Poland’s total maritime throughput. Export volumes are dominated by **coal, steel products, and agricultural commodities**, while imports focus on **petroleum derivatives, containerized goods, and machinery**.
The port’s **investment multiplier** effect is pronounced: each **€1 million** of port investment stimulates **€3.5 million** of ancillary economic activity across the region, creating roughly **1,200 direct jobs** and **over 3,500 indirect positions** in logistics, transport, and related services.
Furthermore, Swinoujście plays a **strategic role in EU energy security**, acting as a key entry point for **Russian LNG** under the **EU‑Russia Energy Partnership** framework, while simultaneously supporting the **Polish government’s diversification strategy** toward **green hydrogen** and **ammonia** imports via specialized terminals currently under development.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core maritime corridors
| Direction | Primary Origin/Destination | Typical Cargo | Frequency |
|-----------|----------------------------|---------------|-----------|
| **North‑South** | Germany, Denmark, Norway → Poland & Czech Republic | Containers, automotive parts, machinery | 4–6 vessels/week |
| **East‑West** | Russia, Baltic States, Finland → Western Europe | Coal, timber, bulk fertilizers | 2–3 vessels/week |
| **Baltic Loop** | Sweden, Finland → Poland, Germany, Netherlands | Containerized consumer goods, steel | 1–2 vessels/week |
The **Baltic Sea** route remains the most efficient conduit for **coal** shipments to Central European markets, with Swinoujście serving as a primary trans‑loading hub to the **German rail network** via the **S3 railway**. Simultaneously, the port’s **containerized trade** leverages **direct services** to major North Sea hubs—including **Rotterdam**, **Hamburg**, and **Antwerp**—with average **door‑to‑door transit times of 10–12 days** for Asia‑Europe shipments.
#### Major cargo categories
1. **Bulk Dry Cargo** – Coal (thermal and metallurgical), grain, fertilizers, and cement.
2. **Containerized Cargo** – Consumer electronics, apparel, automotive components, and pharma products.
3. **LNG & Petrochemicals** – Increasing volumes of **liquefied natural gas** and **LPG**, driven by EU diversification policies.
4. **Project & Heavy Lift** – Wind turbine blades, offshore platform components, and large industrial machinery.
### Emerging trends
* **Green Logistics** – Development of **low‑carbon terminal operations**, including electric-powered cargo handling equipment and **cold‑ironing** capabilities for visiting vessels.
* **Digitalization** – Implementation of a **Port Community System (PCS)** integrating customs, shippers, and logistics providers, improving berth allocation efficiency by **15 %**.
* **Renewable Energy Integration** – Planned **offshore wind farm connections** via Swinoujście, positioning the port as a **green hydrogen export hub** by 2030.
---
For further authoritative details, consult the **UN/LOCODE entry for Swinoujście (PLSWI)** https://www.unlocode.org/↗ and the **Port of Swinoujście official statistics portal** https://www.port-swinoujsce.pl/↗.
These sources provide up‑to‑date data on vessel schedules, cargo forecasts, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring that stakeholders can align strategic decisions with the latest maritime intelligence.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PLSWI
Country
Poland
Province / Region
West Pomeranian Voivodeship
Latitude
53.900000
Longitude
14.250000
Timezone
Europe/Warsaw
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Swinoujscie?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Swinoujscie is PLSWI.
Where is Port of Swinoujscie located?
The Port of Swinoujscie is located in Poland, West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Its coordinates are 53.9000°N, 14.2500°E.
What time zone is Port of Swinoujscie in?
Port of Swinoujscie operates in the Europe/Warsaw time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Swinoujscie.
Szczecin
Poland • 56 km awayRostock
Germany • 140 km awayTrelleborg
Sweden • 179 km awayMalmo
Sweden • 205 km away