When the Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company, Chipolbrok, was established in 1951, the world was a very different place politically and economically. Few could have predicted that this joint venture between two geographically distant nations would survive decades of turbulent change and become one of the most enduring and recognisable institutions in Polish shipping.

Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, Chipolbrok remains one of the global leaders in the heavy lift and project cargo sector. Operating a modern fleet and executing contracts around the world, the company continues to strengthen its market position. As Janusz Kuźmicki, Director of the Shipping Department, points out, the company is now "in much better shape than in the past" and looks to the future with optimism.

The birth of a shipping company

Chipolbrok's history began on 15 June 1951. From the outset, the company had a unique ownership structure, with Poland and the People's Republic of China each holding a 50% stake. Its headquarters were established in Tianjin, China, while a branch office was opened in Gdynia. The company's first services were operated using vessels chartered from Polish Ocean Lines (PLO).

Over the following years, Chipolbrok steadily strengthened its position in the shipping market. The company's headquarters were soon relocated to Shanghai, where they remain today. As Janusz Kuźmicki notes, Chipolbrok was the first shipping company established to serve both the Polish and Chinese economies, eventually becoming a symbol of successful cooperation between the two countries.

The company's first decades were marked by steady growth. In 1965, Chipolbrok surpassed the milestone of transporting 10 million tonnes of cargo. In 1984, its fleet carried more than one million tonnes of cargo in a single year for the first time. Another major milestone came in 1990 with the launch of a regular liner service between Asia and Europe.

During the same period, Chipolbrok gained international recognition through a series of high-profile transport projects. One of the best-known involved the shipment of 210 metro railcars for the Shanghai Metro, demonstrating the company's growing expertise in handling heavy lift and project cargo.

The political and economic transformation in Poland during the 1990s did not weaken the company's position. On the contrary, Chipolbrok remained a stable and forward-looking shipping company, operating from two rapidly developing business hubs: Gdynia and Shanghai.

Fleet modernisation and global expansion

The beginning of the 21st century marked another phase of growth for Chipolbrok. The company ordered a series of ten modern multipurpose vessels, significantly rejuvenating its fleet. The first ship in the series, Władysław Orkan, entered service in 2003.

At the same time, the company expanded its international presence. Chipolbrok America was established in Houston, while the carrier continued to develop its global liner services operating via the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal. In the years that followed, the fleet was further strengthened with the addition of the Chipolbrok Pacific series of vessels.

The global economy was also undergoing profound change. According to Janusz Kuźmicki, the transformation of China can almost be viewed through the lens of the company's own history. A country that only a few decades ago relied on imported technology and foreign investment has evolved into one of the world's leading exporters of advanced industrial products and technologies.

A global leader in heavy lift and project cargo

Today, Chipolbrok ranks among the world's leading carriers in the multipurpose, heavy lift and project cargo sectors. The company specialises in transporting heavy and oversized industrial components that cannot be shipped in standard containers.

In recent years, the wind energy sector has become an increasingly important part of its business. According to Janusz Kuźmicki, approximately half of the cargo currently carried by Chipolbrok vessels consists of wind farm components, including turbine blades, nacelles and hubs.

Among the company's recent achievements was the largest transport operation in Poland involving wind farm components, carried out by the vessel Chipolbrok Galaxy. In 2025, the company also secured a record contract to deliver 1.5 million tonnes of equipment for the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. During the execution of the contract, the project accounted for approximately 80% of cargo throughput at the Port of NEOM over the period concerned.

With demand for heavy lift and project cargo transport expected to continue growing, particularly in support of the global energy transition, Chipolbrok regards this market as offering significant long-term potential and continues to invest in strengthening its position in the sector.

Investing in the next generation of vessels

Today, the company's greatest strength lies in its modern fleet. Between 2021 and 2026, Chipolbrok took delivery of eight multipurpose vessels with a deadweight of approximately 62,000 DWT, designed to transport the most demanding heavy lift and project cargoes.

One of the symbols of the company's 75th anniversary is Kopernik, Chipolbrok's newest vessel, which completes the series of eight ships in this class. The modern Multi-Purpose Heavy Lift (MPP) vessel, measuring approximately 199 metres in length and 32 metres in beam, was launched in China at the end of January 2026 and officially named in April. According to the company, these vessels rank among the largest and most advanced MPP heavy lift ships in the world.

However, the fleet renewal programme does not end there. Chipolbrok is currently building additional vessels with capacities of 38,000 DWT and more than 60,000 DWT, designed primarily to transport the ever-larger components used in the wind energy industry.

The first vessel in the new series, Chełmoński, was launched in Shanghai in May this year. Just a few days later, the second ship, Wyspiański, also entered the water for the first time. These vessels represent a new generation of multipurpose heavy lift ships, specifically designed for project cargo, oversized loads and increasingly large wind farm components.

A key feature of the new design is the placement of the accommodation block at the bow, creating a longer unobstructed cargo deck and significantly increasing loading capacity. Cargo handling is supported by three deck cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 350 tonnes. According to the company, two additional vessels of the same class are already at various stages of construction.

Looking ahead

The company's 75th anniversary will be celebrated both in Shanghai, where Chipolbrok's headquarters are located, and in Poland. The milestone provides an opportunity not only to reflect on the company's rich history but also to look ahead to its future.

Today, Chipolbrok operates a fleet of 31 vessels with a combined deadweight of approximately 1.2 million DWT. Its ships serve all major global trade routes and are involved in some of the world's largest infrastructure and energy projects. As one of the leading names in Polish shipping, the company has become a permanent fixture of the industry's landscape, with its vessels remaining welcome visitors at ports in Poland and around the world.

Photos courtesy of Chipolbrok