Polish maritime university's training ship tender draws zero bids

The University of Maritime in Gdynia announced that no shipyard submitted an offer for the design‑and‑build tender of a new three‑mast frigate to replace the training vessel Dar Młodzieży. The deadline for bids was 1 July, and the project – estimated at 350 million złoty and financed under the state programme “Building Ships for Maritime Universities 2025‑2029” – will be re‑opened after the university reviews the requirements, documentation and administrative procedures that may have deterred bidders.

The planned vessel would be slightly larger than its predecessor, about 112 metres long, 15 metres wide, with a sail area of at least 3 300 sq m and a hybrid mechanical propulsion system of roughly 1 300 kW. It is intended to accommodate around 170 people, including 120 cadets. The original timetable aimed for a contract signing in 2026, delivery in 2028 and the start of cadet training in 2029. University officials, including rector Prof. Adam Weintrit, cited high preparation costs and complex tender conditions as possible reasons for the lack of offers. The existing Dar Młodzieży recently sailed to the United States for the 250th‑anniversary celebration of American independence.