The Partnership Agreement between Vordingborg and Elbląg has been signed during the official conference devoted to the opening of the channel through the Vistula Spit and business cooperation between Vordingborg and Elbląg on 14 September 2022. It is continuation of the cooperation started with the Letter of Intent in Denmark. It was organized by the SmartNet project to continue the INCONE60 project's activity – VEEC. During the conference, we presented our seed money project SmartNet. We aimed to attract the interest of new companies and make the next step to build a more robust business network.

The main reasons for cooperation between the ports of Vordingborg and Elbląg are economic, social, and environmental. Among them can be distinguished:

- transfer of technological solutions

- increasing the level of innovation and competitiveness

- achieving economies of scale and the related improvement of port efficiency

- Faster achievement of expansion goals

- strengthening position about other entities

- acquiring new cargo

- launching new permanent shipping connections

- coordination of activities (e.g. investments, related to the provision of auxiliary services, unification of standards), joint promotion, lobbing

- exchanging experiences and information

- gaining social acceptance for further economic development

- increasing the competitiveness and investment attractiveness of ports and communes

- increasing the number of workplaces

By analysing the benefits mentioned above of cooperation, possible fields of collaboration can also be formulated.

The first field of cooperation in technology transfer. The port of Vordingborg is developing very quickly and has mastered the technology of generating the port infrastructure and building new terminals ideally. Therefore, the knowledge and experience of the Vordingborg port in this area can be successfully transferred to the Port of Elbląg.

Moreover, Vordingborg Port has developed very effective techniques for managing the port and attracting investors. Therefore, it is also a good field for cooperation. As part of the INCOnet business network, the INCONE60 project creates a publication - Business Case Study. It will be a practical guide for managers of small seaports containing all management techniques. This guide will be prepared in cooperation with managers of other small seaports located in the South Baltic region, including the port of Elbląg. Therefore, it can be concluded that cooperation in this area has already started and is being developed successively.

Another field for cooperation will be joint promotion and lobbying for the development of short sea shipping and small seaports. Common promotional activities will undoubtedly increase the strength of the message, reach a wider audience, and positively impact awareness of the benefits of economic cooperation with the ports of Vordingborg and Elbląg.

In addition, both ports have been implementing European projects concerning the development of short sea shipping, small seaports, reduction of the negative impact of transport on the natural environment, development of port management methods and the development of artificial intelligence in transport modulation. Following this lead, another excellent field of cooperation will be the joint implementation of European projects. As part of this action, steps have also been taken. Together with the Maritime Institute of the Maritime University of Gdynia, both ports applied for granting funds to implement joint activities and develop cooperation.

In addition, the apparent field for cooperation will be the transport of cargo between ports. Acting together, the ports will expand their business network, acquire new customers and cargo, and strengthen their position on the market.

Partnership Agreement signed!