On 23 April 2026, the Maritime University of Gdynia announced a tender for the delivery of a strategic investment: the construction of a new training vessel – a three-masted sailing ship that will serve as the successor to “Dar Młodzieży”.

The Rector of the Maritime University of Gdynia, Prof. Adam Weintrit, D.Sc. Eng., Master Mariner, highlights the multifunctional role of the new vessel – ranging from training purposes to its symbolic function as Poland’s ambassador at sea:

– The announcement of the tender for the construction of the successor to “Dar Młodzieży” is a breakthrough moment for our University. We are creating a vessel that will combine the long-standing tradition of maritime education with modern technologies addressing the challenges of contemporary shipping.

The new sailing ship, which I hope you will immediately come to love, will also serve as a symbol of Poland on the seas and oceans, our great ambassador, on which future generations of merchant marine officers will be trained – Prof. Weintrit emphasises.

The procurement procedure for the task entitled “Design and delivery of the successor to Dar Młodzieży” is being conducted under a design-and-build model in an open (EU-wide) tender procedure, as noted by the University’s Chancellor, Filip Malata, M.Sc.

– The procedure is open and unrestricted, which means that both domestic and international contractors who meet the participation requirements set out in the tender documentation may take part – the Chancellor said.

The process will be carried out in accordance with the timetable set out in the Public Procurement Law for open EU procedures. Bids may be submitted from 23 April 2026, and their opening will take place on the final day of the submission period, most likely on 25 May 2026, unless this deadline is officially extended for various reasons.

The commencement of design work and construction will take place immediately after the contract is signed with the selected contractor.

The Director of the Shipping and Seagoing Training Department, Capt. Dariusz Jellonnek, M.Sc. Eng., Master Mariner, draws attention to the technological aspects of the new vessel:

– The new sailing ship will be a modern three-masted frigate designed to meet the highest training standards, featuring a modern mechanical-hybrid propulsion system with a power output of approximately 1,300 kW – Capt. Jellonek notes.

The new sailing ship will be the direct successor to “Dar Młodzieży”, launched in 1981. Compared to its predecessor, the new unit will be slightly larger. According to the specification, its overall length (including bowsprit) will be approximately 112 m (compared with “Dar Młodzieży” at 108.8 m), with a similar beam of around 15 m (vs 14 m). The new vessel will also feature a larger sail area (minimum 3,300 m² vs 3,015 m²) and higher masts reaching up to 58.4 m (vs approx. 49.5 m on “Dar Młodzieży”).

A key change will be the introduction of a modern mechanical-hybrid propulsion system with an output of approximately 1,300 kW, whereas the current training ship is equipped with a conventional lower-powered engine. The new vessel will maintain comparable speed parameters (up to approx. 12 knots under engine power), while offering more efficient and environmentally friendly operational solutions.

The ship will accommodate 169 people, including 33 crew members and cadets. From a training perspective, a similar number of trainees will be maintained (120 cadets compared with approx. 130 on the current vessel), while adapting onboard spaces and functions to modern educational and safety standards.

Construction of the new vessel is financed from the state budget under the multiannual programme “Construction of Ships for Maritime Universities for 2025–2029”.

According to the adopted schedule, the contract for the design and construction of the new sailing ship is planned to be signed in 2026. This will be followed by production works, including steel cutting and keel laying in 2027. The next stage will include engine commissioning and outfitting of the vessel. Launch readiness is planned for 2027, while delivery of the fully equipped sailing ship is scheduled for 2028. Training of cadets on the new vessel is expected to begin in 2029.

Dar Młodzieży sets sail on final ocean voyage

On 16 April, the training frigate Dar Młodzieży set out on its final ocean voyage. The tall ship departed for the United States, where on 4 July it will take part in celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Over the coming months, the vessel’s crew — students and cadets — will visit a number of ports, with the culmination of the journey being the voyage to the US, including participation in the international Sail 250 regatta. The expedition combines the promotion of Poland, maritime education, and the centenary of Gdynia, with which the ship and maritime training have been closely associated. The voyage is of particular significance as it represents the vessel’s final long-distance expedition of this kind.

The event recalled the historic voyage of Dar Pomorza on 16 April 1976, undertaken to mark the 200th anniversary of the United States. The “White Frigate” at that time took part in races on the route Plymouth – Tenerife – Bermuda – Newport, achieving leading positions in the rankings. It subsequently visited major American ports, including New York, Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and participated in the parade of sail held on 4 July 1976 on the Hudson River.

Immediately prior to the vessel’s departure, a press conference was held on board the ship, attended by representatives of the authorities of the Gdynia Maritime University, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the municipal authorities of Gdynia. The University was represented by Rector Prof. Dr. Eng. Capt. Adam Weintrit, as well as the Director of the Shipping and Maritime Practice Department, Capt. Dariusz Jellonnek. The Ministry of Infrastructure was represented by Minister Dariusz Klimczak, while the City of Gdynia was represented by Mayor Aleksandra Kosiorek.

The departing Dar Młodzieży was seen off by representatives of the University, state and local authorities, the maritime community, families of students and cadets taking part in the first stage of the voyage, as well as numerous residents of Gdynia. During the ceremony, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak, presented a commemorative logbook of the voyage to the Rector of the Gdynia Maritime University as a symbolic gesture marking the beginning of the expedition and its international significance. The ship is scheduled to return to Gdynia on 24 August 2026.

The meeting provided an opportunity to present the objectives of the voyage, its importance for the training of future maritime personnel, and the role of Dar Młodzieży in the international Sail 250 regatta, organised to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. The Minister of Infrastructure also had the opportunity to tour the vessel prior to departure and speak with participants and crew members. During the entire voyage, Dar Młodzieży will cover approximately 12,000 nautical miles. The journey will last a total of 131 days. A competition to name the new training ship is still ongoing, with submissions open until the end of May; more than 2,800 proposals have already been received.

“Without doubt, this is the last major voyage of this vessel. We have divided the route into three stages. In total, nearly 400 cadets and students will take part in the expedition. Preparations have lasted almost three years. We received the invitation for this voyage back in 2022 from American cities: Boston, New York, Norfolk and Baltimore. I hope this voyage will serve as an important test for these young people. For most of them, it will be their first voyage at sea. It will therefore be an opportunity to verify whether the choice they made one or two years ago was the right one,” said the Rector of the Gdynia Maritime University on 16 April.