Urząd Morski w Szczecinie and Partner Stocznia of Police have today signed a contract for the design and construction of a new dredger to maintain approach channels to Świnoujście and the Świnoujście–Szczecin fairway. The contractor was selected through a competitive tender. The contract is valued at PLN 279.21 million, with delivery scheduled within 36 months of signature.

The agreement forms part of the government programme “Construction and Expansion of Access Infrastructure to the Port of Świnoujście 2023–2029”, financed from the state budget. The signing ceremony was attended by Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure responsible for maritime economy and inland navigation.

According to the Szczecin Maritime Authority, the trailing suction hopper dredger will be deployed for routine maintenance of required depths along key waterways, including the new approach to the Outer Port in Świnoujście, designed for a depth of 17 metres, the existing port approach channel, and the Świnoujście–Szczecin fairway. The vessel will also be capable of undertaking beach nourishment works along sections of coastline within the territorial remit of the Szczecin authority.

The dredger will likewise operate on approaches to other regional ports, including Kołobrzeg and Darłowo, and will be equipped to carry out channel regulation, artificial shoreline replenishment and beach widening schemes.

The newbuild will measure between 80 and 84.5 metres in overall length, with a beam of approximately 20 metres and a maximum draught of 5.5 metres. Its hopper capacity will reach up to 3,000 cubic metres, with gross tonnage of around 4,000 GT. Endurance has been specified at 14 days. The vessel will be capable of dredging at depths ranging from five to 25 metres and will accommodate a crew of up to 14. Spoil will be loaded into the self-discharging hopper via a trailing suction pipe.

The ship will be designed and constructed under the supervision of a recognised classification society and fitted with a comprehensive dredging system, as well as twin diesel engines incorporating additional main propulsion functionality for the suction system. Manoeuvrability will be ensured by a twin-rudder arrangement with hydraulic steering gear, supplemented by an electrically driven bow thruster. The dredger will also carry a hydrographic workboat and an autonomous surface vehicle for bathymetric survey operations.

Tender process

The tender for the new dredger was concluded last year. The Maritime Authority received two bids, with Partner Stocznia ultimately prevailing over a competing offer from Remontowa Shipbuilding.

An initial procurement procedure launched in December 2024 attracted only a single bid and was subsequently reissued mid-year. Partner Stocznia intends to form a consortium with Stocznia Szczecińska Wulkan and the Dutch yard Neptun Shipyard for the project’s execution.

The Szczecin Maritime Authority currently operates a number of vessels deployed for dredging, the installation and maintenance of navigational aids, salvage and firefighting duties. Its largest unit, Planeta I, is based in Świnoujście.