State-of-the-art laboratories, 500 meters of quay, about 200 workstations and a mission to create a “Polish Offshore Valley” – the formal opening of the Centre for the Offshore Industry of the Maritime University in Gdynia took place on February 29, 2024. The day was a great celebration not only for the University, but also for the entire offshore industry sector in the country.

Session of the Senate of the Maritime University of Gdynia with the participation of distinguished guests: Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Arkadiusz Marchewka, and the HM Rector of the Maritime University of Szczecin, PhD. Eng., Master Mariner, Wojciech Slączka; Photo: M.Rakowski

The event was preceded by a session of the Senate of the Maritime University of Gdynia with the participation of distinguished guests: Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Arkadiusz Marchewka, and the HM Rector of the Maritime University of Szczecin, PhD. Eng., Master Mariner, Wojciech Slączka.

The ceremony was opened by the HM Rector of the Maritime University in Gdynia, Full Professor, Master Mariner, FRIN, FNI, Adam Weintrit, who, after welcoming the numerous guests from the world of science, politics and business who attended the event, addressed them with the words:

I am extremely pleased that today we can celebrate together the grand opening of the the Centre for the Offshore Industry of the Maritime University in Gdynia, which I hope will serve a common benefit in the years to come for the purpose of conducting comprehensive, specialized research and development work for the innovative maritime industry both at home and abroad (…). It is the ambition of Gdynia Maritime University Center to become the nucleus of the larger organism “Polish Offshore Valley”!

His Magnificence also emphasized that:

The completed construction of the Centre for the Offshore Industry of the Maritime University in Gdynia is proof that the Maritime University is a University that is constantly developing and has a huge research potential! Hence, in the newly opened building, among other things, top-class accredited laboratories adapted to the requirements of the modern maritime economy: geotechnical, ecological and electronic.

The floor was then taken by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Arkadiusz Marchewka, who congratulated and thanked, on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure and on his own behalf, the HM Rector of the Maritime University in Gdynia for taking up the challenge of building the innovative the Centre for the Offshore Industry of the Maritime University in Gdynia. In doing so, the Vice-Minister assured that:

(…) it is the priority of the Ministry of Infrastructure to constantly strive to further develop the University’s potential and strengthen its position as a renowned academic center, training future personnel who will be an invaluable support for the Polish and global maritime economy.

Another speaker at the ceremony was the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mr. Mieczyslaw Struk, who emphasized the importance of the newly opened site for the offshore sector both in the context of Pomerania and Poland:

I would like to wish myself and you also that this will be such a center where students, scientists will be able to make a significant contribution to the development of science, but also to the development of all sorts of practical solutions that will serve wind energy or in general the whole system of this part of the economy, which is based on offshore. (…) I am absolutely convinced that the Maritime University in Gdynia will meet the expectations of the maritime economy environment, but also of the region and our country.

The floor was then taken by the Mayor of Gdansk, Ms. Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, who drew attention to the innovation of the offshore sector:

This is, in my opinion, an extremely important thing in terms of the development of the economy, but for this you also need qualified personnel. We, together with the local government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, the Marshal, will be organizing the Edu Offshore educational fair in Gdansk for the second time in a couple of weeks. This is an offer aimed at young people from all over Pomerania, who can get to know both the universities and the various companies working in this industry, so that they can see their future here. I very much look forward to the innovative developments that are being located here in Pomerania!

Also speaking at the ceremony that day was Kacper Plajinski, MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Maritime Committee, who pointed out that the opening of the Centre for the Offshore Industry of the Maritime University in Gdynia is:

(…) not only a strategic decision by the University, but (…) also the foundation of the offshore maritime economy, which is undoubtedly one of the main tools driving the Polish economy – and it certainly will be. (…) All this really needs top-level personnel who are profiled, prepared, and I am very pleased that Gdynia Maritime University has made such an impressive contribution to this development of Poland.

The Director of the UMG Maritime Institute, Prof. Krzysztof Czaplewski, Ph.D., in his speech, in turn, pointed out that the building of the Centre for Offshore Industry of the Maritime University of Gdynia:

The UMG Maritime Institute’s plants and units, located so far in different parts of the Tri-City, will be located there, which will have an impact on the consolidation of the existing activities and research conducted.

Pomeranian Governor Mrs. Beata Rutkiewicz, who was present at the event, congratulated the HM Rector of Gdynia Maritime University on the newly opened Center and assured of the government’s support for the University:

For my part, I guarantee you openness, conversation, support, because I feel I am an extension of the government and such a carrier of information to the ministries, so you can count on me, the door is open, I invite you to this cooperation, but I also count on you. (…) I congratulate you very much on this Centre, this is a big undertaking, a big step forward, the use of positive EU funds, which is also important (…). Thank you very much.

The official part was crowned by the guests going in front of the entrance to the building, where there was a symbolic cutting of the ribbon with the participation of the University authorities and representatives of national and local governments.

The guests then had the opportunity to visit the available laboratories. Many of them took advantage of this opportunity and were able to take a close look at the modern apparatus, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of science and a better understanding of the needs of the maritime sector in the context of sustainable development.

Construction of the nearly PLN 64 million investment began in 2021, and the facility’s occupancy permit was obtained in November 2023. The start of construction can be symbolically taken as June 15, 2021. On that day an agreement was signed with the general contractor of the investment, Budimex S.A.. As early as September 15, 2022, a topping-out ceremony was held over the building. That day also saw the signing of an agreement between Gdynia Maritime University, MEWO S.A. and PGE Baltica to conduct environmental studies for the Baltica 1 offshore wind farm project.

The Maritime University of Gdynia has for years been a leader in the Polish offshore market in the field of environmental studies and the execution of environmental, geophysical, geological and geotechnical documentation for offshore investments, especially with regard to wind energy.

The investment was carried out with funding from the European Union under the Regional Operational Programme for Pomorskie Voivodeship 2014 – 2020 from the European Regional Development Fund.