The new canal was opened on the 83^rd anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland during the Second World War.

• This was done to symbolically demonstrate the end of Russia’s influence on the country’s economy and development.
• The new canal cuts across the Vistula Spit, east of Gdansk, enabling ships sailing to travel from the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Gdansk to Elblag and other ports of the lagoon without getting authorization to travel through Russia’s Strait of Pilawa.
• It also reduces the Baltic-to-Elblag route by some 100 km.
• Currently, while the smaller ships and yachts can use this route, cargo ships cannot sail through until the approach to the Port of Elblag is deepened to 5 meters. This is expected to cost 21 million USD.
• The overall cost of this project is 2 billion USD.