GMU Awarded ‘Amber Duck’ for Creation of Centre for the Offshore Industry
Maritime business representatives gathered together on 10 October 2025 for a communal duck dinner for the 25th time. The event, attended by over two thousand guests, served as the culmination of the Maritime Economy Forum. During the 25th anniversary edition of the awards event, attended by GMU representatives headed by HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit, GMU was awarded an ‘Amber Duck’ [Bursztynowa Kaczka] award. The award went to the GMU Centre for the Offshore Industry, a key centre and the nucleus of a Polish offshore valley, conducting research and measurements at sea for the offshore wind energy sector.
The Amber Duck was presented to HM The Rector Professor Adam Weintrit by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Arkadiusz Marchewka, and the President of the Port of Gdańsk Authority, Professor Dorota Pyć (University of Gdańsk). In his acceptance speech, the Rector underlined that the distinction is not only an award for Gdynia Maritime University but also for the University's graduates and supporters. He noted that this honour holds particular significance for the University, as it is awarded by the maritime community itself.
While accepting the Amber Duck, Professor Weintrit also referred to the construction of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży training ship, whose initial design and construction concept was presented for the first time during this year’s Maritime Economy Forum:
I believe that in three years we will meet again in the same company during the raising of the flag on the University’s new training vessel.
‘Amber Egg’ awards were also presented to companies associated with the maritime sector: CMA-CGM Polska Sp. z o.o., Finnlines Polska Sp. z o.o., and Finomar Sp. z o.o.
In addition, the 'Amber Helm' award was granted to Professor Andrzej Grzelakowski, Head of the Department of Logistics and Transport Systems at the Faculty of Management and Quality Science at Gdynia Maritime University. The award recognised his contribution to the development of the maritime economy – in particular the port and TSL (transport, shipping and logistics) sectors – as well as his many years of dedication to educating highly qualified professionals for both industries.
Representing GMU at the event were: Dariusz Barbucha, Deputy Rector for Science; Sambor Guze, Deputy Rector for Student Affairs and Education; Filip Malata, University Chancellor; Professor Krzysztof Czaplewski, Director of the Maritime Institute; Piotr Jankowski, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering; Professor Ireneusz Czarnowski, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science; Professor Andrzej Miszczak, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; Tomasz Neumann, Dean of the Faculty of Navigation; Marzenna Popek, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Quality Science; Eugeniusz Paweł Orzeszek, University Bursar; Ewa Zdanowicz, Director of the Human Resources and Payroll Department; Magdalena Wołowiec, Director of the Rector’s Office; Captain Dariusz Jellonnek, Director of the Maritime Operations Department; Andrzej Lachowicz, Director of the Sports and Recreation Centre; Maciej Zalach, Deputy Chancellor; Rafał Kapała, Deputy Director of the Maritime Institute for Finance; Juliusz Gajewski, Head of the Department of Operational Oceanography at the Maritime Institute; Piotr Sarzyński, University Legal Counsel.
Among the participants were also representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure, local authorities in Gdynia and Gdańsk, the Pomerania Voivoideship, and Members of the National Parliament. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the largest Polish companies in the maritime sector, including ports, shipping enterprises, forwarding and logistics companies, shipyards, and related businesses, as well as agents, brokers, surveyors, and marine insurers. Those in attendance gathered at 207 tables, where they continued the discussions began during the Maritime Economy Forum.
