On Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Upper Silesian Aviation Group S.A. (GTL S.A.) – the company managing the Katowice International Airport im. Wojciech Korfanty in Pyrzowice – signed a contract with the contractor for construction works for the task entitled: “Construction of a multimodal cargo and fuel transshipment hub based on a railway siding at the Katowice Airport”. The winner of the tender for the implementation of the works was the consortium of Mostostal Kraków S.A. and Budimex S.A.
As part of the agreement concluded with the consortium, construction works will be carried out in the south-eastern part of Katowice Airport, which will result in the construction of a railway siding connecting Katowice Airport with the Central Railway Line via railway line No. 182 (Tarnowskie Góry – Zawiercie). The heart of the investment will be a railway unloading front for loading goods and fuels, which will be adjacent to three tanks with a capacity of 1000m3 and unloading stations for road tankers. In the part located in the restricted zone of the Katowice airport, loading stations for airport tankers will be built. The total cost of the subject of the contract, i.e. construction works in connection with the construction of a cargo and fuel transshipment hub amount to PLN 144.3 million gross.
The construction of the Multimodal Cargo and Fuel Handling Hub will enable the transshipment of goods, including aviation fuel, and the supply of fuel to all aircraft operating at Katowice Airport. The new infrastructure will make it possible to reduce road transport in favour of rail, which is part of the process of supporting the development of a sustainable transport system. The hub will be adapted to handle alternative fuels (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate emissions. It will also be adapted to dual civilian-military use, which will enable the security of supplies and continuity of operations in relation to the ongoing military operations. The project is interoperable, meaning that the new infrastructure will be usable by all stakeholders using the airport’s services – both civil and military – and companies operating in the region.
The time of completion of construction works, technological start-up and obtaining all required administrative decisions enabling the operation of the Multimodal Goods and Fuels Handling Node, completed with the signing of the final protocol, will take place within 23 months from the conclusion of the contract. According to the schedule, the project called “Construction of a multimodal cargo and fuel transshipment hub based on a railway siding at Katowice Airport” should be completed no later than June 30, 2026. The project received funding from the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2021–2027 Military Mobility in the amount of up to 50% of eligible costs.
“The ambition of Mostostal Kraków S.A. is to implement technologically complex projects combining many industries. The contract for the construction of a Multimodal cargo and fuel transshipment hub at the Port of Katowice is such a project, so we are very pleased to be implementing it. As a specialist company in the industrial sector, in a consortium with Budimex S.A., a company specialising in m.in. in cubature and railway construction, we are sure that the project will be carried out in accordance with GTL’s expectations. On this project, we use the highest competences of the teams from Mostostal Kraków S.A. and Budimex S.A.” – says Tomasz Guzik, Member of the Management Board of Mostostal Kraków, Director of the Industrial Implementation Division.
“The agreement signed between Budimex and Mostostal Kraków and the Upper Silesian Aviation Group will enable us to make optimal use of our experience and competences. As a general contractor, we bring our extensive know-how in the field of cubature and infrastructure, while Mostostal Kraków specializes in steel structures, tank and technological projects. Budimex has already carried out several key projects at the airport in Pyrzowice, such as a new runway for GTL and an air traffic control tower for PANSA” – says Jakub Nagraba, Director of General Construction, Budimex SA.
“The construction of the Multimodal Cargo and Fuel Handling Hub is one of the pillars of the investment plan for Katowice Airport, which we intend to implement by 2028. Although its central point is the construction of a new, main passenger terminal, we also plan to expand the airport’s operations by inaugurating the operation of a hub enabling the storage and distribution of m.in. aviation fuel. This project has received funding from the European Union and will significantly contribute to supporting the development of a sustainable transport system by reducing road transport in favour of railways” – says Artur Tomasik, President of the Management Board of the Upper Silesian Aviation Group S.A., the company managing Katowice Airport.
