Three German ports join the Baltic Ports Organization

Port of Kiel, located in the south-western part of the Baltic Sea region, Lübeck Port Authority and Port of Hamburg Marketing as a friendship member have joined the BPO.

The Port of Kiel is one of the most multifaceted and profitable ports in the Baltic Sea region. Its geographical position, continuous water depth for seagoing vessels and direct connection to the rail and motorway networks make the port ideal for both passenger transport and cargo handling.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director Port of Kiel: „It feels good that Kiel is back in the Baltic Ports Organization (BPO). Ever growing economic as well as environmental challenges require joint positions of the ports. The BPO is an excellent platform for coordination and has a strong voice towards politics and administration.”

Lübeck is yet another German port that has joined BPO and is going to spread the organization's mission to contribute to economic, social and environmental sustainable development of maritime transport and the port industry in the Baltic Sea region in order to strengthen its competitiveness on the global market.

“We’ve decided to become a member of BPO, an organization which brings together a lot of stakeholders from all Baltic countries, because we see it as an advantage to get information about the Baltic transport market and as an easier way to establish business relations with representatives of the port industry,” says Hans-Wolfgang Wiese, Head of Lübeck Port Authority. He further adds, “the planned initiative aiming at the development of wastewater management – HELCOM’s new recommendations regarding sewage from passenger ships and the second, already initiated and ongoing LNG in Baltic Sea Ports project, are very important themes for Lübeck Ports too.”

“We are very glad that Ports of Lübeck and Kiel as well as Port of Hamburg Marketing have joined BPO. For sure it is a clear signal that among the German port industry we are considered as valuable organization. I am aware that there are challenges that Baltic ports will face in near future, among them providing port reception facilities for sewage from passenger ships. Many our members (including new once) expect that BPO has a special role to play in this particular area.” - says Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General.

Apart from representing interest of ports towards regulatory bodies (Helcom, Euroepan Commission), BPO have been organizing many know-how sharing seminars and study visit addressing this specific subject as well as other environmental questions. Moreover; BPO considers to initiate and organize group of ports and finance projects focused on environmental investments by use of EU funds (e.g. Connecting Europe Facility).

The Port of Hamburg Marketing joined BPO as a friendship member. It is active worldwide to strengthen Port of Hamburg’s position on the market against international competition. The ports in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region have also found this marketing organization to be a powerful partner for professional marketing of the location.

"Benefitting from synergies, combining resources, and being present in vital markets are only a few reasons for us to become a Member in the Baltic Ports Organization. We do believe that a membership in the BPO will offers us new opportunities to establish and expand our international business networks and are ready to be an active member of the BPO." - says Marina Rimpo, Head of BSR Market Development.

It is through our members and their support BPO is able to continue to strengthen its programs and to develop new and innovative projects to serve the Baltic Sea region community. With members' support BPO is improving the competitiveness of maritime transport and the port industry in the Baltic region even more effectively.