GMU Announces Tender for Construction of New Sail Training Ship

HM The Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit, underlined the multifaceted role of the vessel, which includes practical training and a symbolic role as an ambassador for Poland:

The announcement of the tender for the construction of a successor to the Dar Młodzieży is a defining moment for our University. We are creating a vessel that will bring together the long-standing tradition of maritime education and the modern technologies needed to meet the challenges of today’s shipping industry.  

The new tall ship, which I hope you will all immediately embrace, will also become a symbol of Poland on the seas and oceans — a great ambassador for our country — where future generations of merchant fleet officers will undergo their training.

The procedure for the performance of the task entitled ‘Design of the project and delivery of the successor to the Dar Młodzieży’ is being conducted under the design-and-build formula through an open tender process in accordance with EU rules, as indicated by University Chancellor Filip Malata:

The procedure is open and unrestricted, meaning both Polish and foreign contractors that meet the conditions set out in the tender documentation are eligible to participate.

The procedure will follow the timetable laid down in Poland’s Public Procurement Law for open EU-wide tender procedures. Contractors may submit their bids starting 23 April 2026. All bids will be opened after the tender submission deadline, scheduled for 25 May 2026, unless the deadline is officially extended for any reason.

Work on the project and the construction of the ship will take place immediately following the signing of a contract with the winner of the tender. 

Director of the Ship Management and Seagoing Service Department  Captain Dariusz Jellonnek drew attention to the technical aspects of the new vessel:

The new tall ship will be a modern three-masted frigate, designed with the highest standards of training in mind, and equipped with a modern 1300 kW hybrid mechanical propulsion system.

The University’s new ship will replace the Dar Młodzieży, which was launched in 1981. In comparison to its predecessor, the new vessel will be somewhat larger. Under the specification, its overall length, including the bowsprit, will be approximately 112 metres, compared with 108.8 metres for the Dar Młodzieży, while the hull beam will measure around 15 metres versus 14 metres. The new vessel will also feature a larger basic sail area, at a minimum of 3,300 square metres compared with 3,015 square metres, as well as taller masts reaching up to 58.4 metres, compared with a maximum of about 49.5 metres on the Dar Młodzieży. 

A major change will be the introduction of a modern hybrid mechanical propulsion system with an output of around 1,300 kW. The current tall ship is equipped with a conventional engine propulsion system of lower power.   The new vessel will retain comparable speed performance, reaching up to around 12 knots under power, while offering more efficient and environmentally friendly operating solutions.

The ship will accommodate a total of 169 persons, including 33 crew members. From a training perspective, the new vessel will accommodate a similar number of trainees – 120 cadets, compared with around 130 on the current ship – while its layout and functions will be adapted to contemporary educational and safety standards.

The construction of the new ship is funded from the national budget as part of the multi-annual programme ‘Construction of ships for the Maritime Universities during the years 2025-2029’.

Under the agreed timetable for the programme, the signing of an agreement for the design and construction of the new sail training ship is planned for 2026. Initial production work, namely sheet metal work and the laying of the keel, will take place in 2027. The next stage will include the installation of the engines and the fitting-out of the vessel. The ship is scheduled to be ready for launch in 2027; however, the fully equipped vessel won’t be ready until 2028. The first groups of cadets are expected to train on the new vessel in 2029.