Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Zbigniew Sulatycki was born on 23rd August 1933 in Skarżysko – Kamienna, Poland, into a traditional patriotic, upright and hardworking Polish family - values which would accompany him his whole life.

Research and experience

In 1951, Zbigniew Sulatycki graduated from the Electrical Technical College in Wrocław and began further study at the Ship and Port Operations Technical College in Szczecin. An outstanding student, his ability was recognised by the captain of all captains – Konstantine Maciejewicz, and thanks to his efforts, he was transferred to the State Maritime School in Szczecin, where Maciejewicz was director. However, before completing his studies at the School, Captain Sulatycki was expelled by the communist authorities for withholding information on his father who before WWII was an officer in the Polish army.

Master Mariner

After completing military service in the Navy, Sulatycki began his adventurous seagoing career working for Polish Ocean Lines; starting out as a seaman and rising through the ranks to captain. 

He also worked as an instructor and youth educator on the legendary Polish sailing ship, the Dar Pomorza.

As a master mariner, he sailed on ships from the POL fleet as well as those of foreign operators. He returned to study in 1973, graduating from Gdynia Higher Maritime School. The next phase of his career saw him working for the Maritime Council in Gdynia, Gdynia port, the Baltic Sea Interport, and as an independent expert to the Polish Trade Association.

In the 1990s, he became Deputy Secretary of State in the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Economy under the government of Jan Olszewski and Hanna Suchocka.

In 1995, he founded the Polish Maritime Economy Association, of which for many years he was President, and later an honorary president.

In December 2016, Captain Zbigniew Sulatycki was appointed by the Minister for Maritime Economy as a member of the Maritime Convent, which acts as an advisory, consultative, and opinion-forming body to the Ministry, and which he has chaired ever since.

Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta

For his extraordinary achievements, Zbigniew Sulatycki was presented by Polish President Andrzej Duda with the Grand Cross of Polonia Restituta - Poland’s second-oldest distinction - on 8th February 2016.

On 28th November 2019, the Senate of Gdynia Maritime University passed an act on the initiation of proceedings for the award of the honorary title of Dr honoris causa to Zbigniew Sulatycki. The subject reviewer of the proceedings was Professor Andrzej Grzelakowski. 

Master Mariner Zbigniew Sulatycki is a man of the sea, a Polish patriot, social worker and activist. He worked for the development of a strong, competitive maritime industry, and above all, the return of the Polish flag to the seas and oceans of the world.

On the basis of the decision of the Senate of Gdynia Maritime University of 20th April 2020, and following the positive opinion of the Senate of Gdynia Naval Academy and the Szczecin Maritime Academy, Zbigniew Sulatycki became the second person in the history of Gdynia Maritime University to be honoured with the title Doctor honoris causa.