Poland to construct canal to the Baltic Sea to reduce dependence on Russia
Poland will build a canal through the Vistula Spit to the Gulf of Gdansk (Gdańsk Bay). This is expected to boost the importance of the seaport in Elblag and will in turn reduce the dependence on the transportation through Russian territory, as stated by the leader of the Law and Justice (PIS) ruling party, Jarosław Kaczyński, during his visit to the city of Elblag in the north east of Poland.
"The benefits of the canal will be great; not only in improved navigation, but also in returning the status of a port city to Elbag,” Kaczyński said. He noted that the construction of the canal will likely bring some "external resistance," but it will have nothing to do with the environmental issues.
"This is about the political and military interests of Poland, as well as the preservation of our status. Poland, during the time of the Polish People's Republic (under communist control) and in the years that followed, could not have built this canal and could not consider the possibility of shipping cargoes through it, because the Russians would not agree to it," the leader of PIS said.
According to Kaczyński, after the completion of the canal, Poland will become "fully independent" of Russia.
The canal through the Vistula Spit in the north east of Poland will cost 880 million zlotys (more than $230 million), and is planned to be completed by 2022. It is planned to be 1.3 km long and 5 m deep.
The canal will allow ships up to 100 m long, 20 m wide and 4 m deep to enter the sea port of Elblag.