The 24th Maritime Economic Forum in Gdynia didn’t just revisit old debates—it set the stage for a maritime renaissance. At the heart of the event was a project that’s as much about tradition as it is about innovation: the successor to Poland’s legendary training ship, Dar Młodzieży.
Professor Adam Weintrit, Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, didn’t mince words. “Right now, we are at the starting line. There’s a long way to the finish, but we have the funding, we have the idea, and I hope we won’t lack the determination to make it happen.” His presentation laid out a clear roadmap: steel-cutting in 2025, keel laying soon after, and a delivery date set for 2028. By 2029, cadets will step aboard a vessel that’s more than just a ship—it’s a floating classroom, a national ambassador, and a technological showcase.
The new ship isn’t just a replacement; it’s an evolution. Weintrit revealed preliminary details: a three-masted, full-rigged vessel stretching 96 meters, designed to carry 120 cadets, 33 crew, and 12 passengers. But the most striking detail? The ship will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, adhering to international safety standards while pushing the boundaries of maritime education.
And here’s where it gets interesting. The Rector announced a public competition for the ship’s name, inviting ideas starting October 10, 2025. It’s a bold move—one that turns the project into a national conversation. The name won’t just be a label; it’ll carry the weight of history, the promise of the future, and the pride of a maritime nation.
But the Forum didn’t stop at shipbuilding. Dorota Lost-Siemińska, Director of the Legal and External Affairs Department at the IMO, tackled the elephant in the room: decarbonisation. The discussion panels covered everything from seaports to autonomous shipping, but the underlying theme was clear: the maritime industry is at a crossroads. The successor to Dar Młodzieży might be a traditional tall ship, but its construction coincides with a radical shift in how we think about shipping, energy, and sustainability.
This isn’t just about building a ship—it’s about building a legacy. The new vessel will continue Dar Młodzieży’s role as a training ground for future officers, a participant in international regattas, and a symbol of Poland’s maritime prowess. But it’s also a statement: that tradition and innovation can coexist, that education and technology can merge, and that the maritime industry is ready to face the challenges of the 21st century head-on.
The Maritime Economic Forum didn’t just discuss the future—it set it in motion. With the funding secured, the plans drawn, and the public engaged, the successor to Dar Młodzieży is more than a ship; it’s a beacon for the industry’s evolution. And that’s a story worth following.