This very ambitious project is called “The Loop of Lowlands”.
Halina Bykowska reports from Gdansk.
The idea to connect the Baltic city of Gdansk via rivers and channels with the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda as well as with Berlin and Antwerp in Western Europe will soon come true. The mayor of Gdansk, Pawel Adamowicz has signed an agreement with local authorities of northern provinces to build 11 new marinas and 5 sailing ports in coming years to let Polish yachts journey to the most picturesque areas not only in northern Poland, but also in northern Europe.
“I am convinced that popular sailing routes ought to be modernized according to present day needs” – said Jan Kozlowski from the local parliament in Gdansk. He believes that sailing is getting more and more popular. Picturesque sailing routes, especially in Polish lowlands, need a face lift. The representative of the local parliament also pointed out that more modern harbors are to be built. All conditions concerning ecological requirements should be fulfilled.
“Some modern Polish yachts are real cabin cruisers – said professor Jan Ozdzinski from the Academy of Physical Education in Sopot, a popular seaside summer resort. He believes that many lovers of sailing will modernize old house boats to be able to sail along channels and rivers, especially in summer time. An equivalent of 20 million euro is needed to build the new marinas and sailing harbors. Local authorities believe that the EU will co-finance the new investment project which is to be completed by 2012.
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