In April this year, an agreement was signed in Szczecin for the construction of a new buoy tender for the needs of the Maritime Office. The tender for the vessel’s construction was won by Stocznia Szczecińska “Wulkan”. Now, the Polish Register of Shipping (PRS) has announced that it is supervising its construction.

The cooperation agreement between the Polish Register of Shipping S.A. and the Management Board of Stocznia Szczecińska “Wulkan” sp. z o.o. was concluded on 23 July 2025. The involvement of the Polish Register of Shipping in the project is an important element supporting navigation safety and the development of modern technologies in the maritime sector, with particular emphasis on activities in Szczecin and the construction of specialised vessels.

Project objective – strengthening navigation safety

The project aims to increase navigational safety in ports, on fairways and on water bodies in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, including the Szczecin Lagoon and the roadsteads of smaller ports. The new vessel will be an important tool in maintaining and modernising navigational aids in the region.

The vessel will be used to service navigational aids in ports and on fairways managed by the Maritime Office in Szczecin. It will serve not only for launching and retrieving buoys but also for maintenance work on navigational marks (e.g. beacons and dolphins) on the water. It will also be useful for ice-breaking operations, as it is to be equipped with ice class L1.

The new buoy tender will replace the ageing Galaktyka, which has been operating for the Maritime Office in Szczecin since 1975.

The shipyard will receive over PLN 30 million for the project. The vessel is to be ready for delivery within 18 months of signing the contract.

Characteristics of the new vessel

According to the specification, the vessel will have a length of 27 to 30 metres and a width of 8 to 10 metres. Its draught will be shallow – 1.8 to 2.2 metres. The deck will allow for the transport of at least two buoys weighing 4,500 kg each, together with their equipment – anchors and chains. The buoy tender will feature an expanded working deck, a deck crane and a capstan enabling the launching and retrieval of buoys.

The new buoy tender will be a specialised unit designed in accordance with the “Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-Going Ships”, intended for operation in Area III with ice class L1, which will allow it to work in difficult weather conditions (up to Beaufort 6 and sea state 4).

The vessel will be equipped with a modern deck crane, capstan and enlarged working deck, significantly increasing its operational capabilities during navigational aid maintenance. The vessel is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2026.

Scope of work of the Polish Register of Shipping

Under the signed agreement, PRS is responsible for the comprehensive classification services of the vessel under construction. It will carry out, among other tasks, analysis of technical documentation, supervision of construction, and participation in inclining tests and sea trials. The Polish Register of Shipping will also be responsible for the inspection and classification of materials and equipment, issuance of class certificates, machinery certificates and the load line certificate, assessment of compliance with environmental protection regulations, and inspection of radio, navigation and signalling equipment. Additionally, it will perform vessel measurements and issue measurement and registration documentation.