One of #Poland’s megaprojects is nearing completion, and the #Russian invasion of #Ukraine has made it more crucial than initially imagined. A thread 🧵:
On the photo: Vistula Spit canal at night
The new canal that will cut across the Vistula Spit, giving ships access to the 🇵🇱 port of Elbląg without having to ask 🇷🇺 for permissioe. It will open 17 Sep. It is unlikely that the date, also the anniversary of the invasion of eastern 🇵🇱 in '39 by 🇷🇺, was chosen at random 😉
Moscow is not pleased with the development, arguing that it will allow #NATO warships to enter the Vistula Lagoon without passing by the watchful eyes of 🇷🇺 military facilities at Baltiysk. An entire campaign was carried out by 🇷🇺 to spread disinformation gov.pl/web/sluzby-spe…
The canal will make it possible for ships to sail across the Vistula Lagoon from the port of Elbląg straight to the Baltic Sea. Currently, they must sail around the spit via the Strait of Baltiysk, a part of 🇷🇺 territorial waters and which Moscow could deny access to on a whim.
Apart from the benefit of the Port of Elbląg gaining direct access to the Baltic Sea without being dependent on 🇷🇺 permissions, ships heading to and from the port will be spared the 100 km detour through Russian waters.
The canal will help companies save time and fuel costs, spurring economic development in the area. At the same time, there will also be advantages for the environment in the form of less greenhouse gas emissions and less pollution.
Check out this clip for an excellent overview of the topic as presented by @TVPWorld_com 's @michalrachon
Full version:
🎥 Incredible construction time-lapse video of the works carried out over the years 2019-2021 👇🏻
Since some Qs were raised re: the technical aspect, some key stats:
The channel will accommodate 🚢 with:
• a draft of up to 4.5 m
• a length of 100 m
• a width of up to 20 m
to pass thru and enter the port in Elbląg
For more please refer to: cutt.ly/uCAexaa 📄
And as @hschmalzl rightly noted, the current industrial design of the channel allows for possible future expansion👇🏻
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