Donald Tusk: We will build ships

Tusk regarding the construction of Polish vessels TVN24

Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Polish shipyards will construct new ships. He specified that this involves a new sailing vessel and a training and research ship. He also mentioned that Polish suppliers and manufacturers will be prioritized for tenders wherever feasible.

– Here in Szczecin, you are most aware of (…) how many unfavorable events occurred in the past, how much ineptitude, how much malice. The Szczecin Shipyard exemplifies this. We are gradually getting back on course – stated the Prime Minister at the 11th International Maritime Congress in Szczecin.

The Prime Minister remarked that many Polish shipyards create „excellent products,” but – as he further noted – „it is time for a significantly stronger push.”

Tusk: We will construct ships

– We will construct ships in Poland – affirmed the Prime Minister. He emphasized that this decision carries symbolic significance and pertains to a new training sailboat. He noted that nearly PLN 400 million has been earmarked for this initiative.

– The Dar Młodzieży has been in use for 44 years since its launch – he recalled. He expressed that the goal is for young Poles, young Polish women, to have the opportunity to train once more in this historic context. So that we can uphold the beautiful tradition of the Dar Pomorza and the Dar Młodzieży – remarked the Prime Minister.

He indicated that a new training vessel is essential, as Nawigator XXI (MS Nawigator XXI, a training and research ship utilized since 1997 by the Maritime University of Szczecin – ed.) is outdated and not suited to the current level and advancements in scientific research.

– Thus, we will also be constructing a new training ship for over PLN 600 million – and the financial decision has already been made – stated the Prime Minister.

He added that making the Baltic a Polish sea also involves increasing Polish content in orders. – Wherever feasible, even when it is quite challenging, Polish suppliers and producers will win tenders. This also pertains to the construction of our vessels – the Prime Minister emphasized.

The Prime Minister also shared information about the government’s strategy to reorganize ferry navigation on the Baltic Sea. – Minister Marchewka presented very intriguing projects. And as you know, the ferries are built by a Polish shipyard, (…) so we will aim to replicate this model – he stated.

Tusk highlighted that the „Polish Sea” initiative signifies not only that „Polish ports will emerge as dominant ports, it means not just that Polish investments will be adequately safeguarded by the Polish state.” – This also involves the Polonization of all specific measures. This is the Polonization of not only expenditures, as it has been until now, but also the benefits. Poles will profit from the growth of the Polish maritime economy – he concluded.

Donald Tusk PAP/Lech Muszynski

Prime Minister: The Polish flag will return to Polish ships

– We had to wait over 20 years to (…) proclaim that the Polish flag would return to Polish ships – stated Tusk. He added that he wishes for Polish shipowners and sailors to be able to „work, sail, and earn under the Polish flag”.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the last time the Polish flag was lowered was in 2004 on the vessel „Ziemia Gnieźnieńska.” He also presented the Polish flag to Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka, who oversees maritime economy and inland navigation.

Tusk clarified that this is to be realized through the „Polish Sea” initiative, which is just commencing.

– In 2024, container transshipment in Polish ports was at 3.3 million tonnes in TEU standard. By 2030, we aim to triple these figures – stated Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

– We are a very significant player in terms of transshipment; I won’t claim dominant, but we are very close. In 2024, container transshipment in Polish ports was 3.3 million tons measured in the TEU standard. I do not conceal the fact that we have a plan, a very realistic forecast, and we intend to triple these figures by 2030 – that is, within 4 years and several months – mentioned Prime Minister Tusk.

TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) is a measure of capacity, equivalent to the volume of a standard container measuring 6.1 by 2.44 by 2.59 meters.

The head of government recalled that last year, the profits of Polish ports increased by 26% compared to 2023. He also remarked that „we are discussing very substantial amounts of money” and that „customs duties alone in Polish ports in 2024 reached PLN 56 billion, one billion zlotys more than

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