The Maritime University renews the tender for the successor of "Daru Youth"

The Maritime University of Gdynia is looking for a second time contractor to design and build a successor Youth Gift. The first proceeding ended without any offer.

The new procedure was announced on August 24. It will continue to be carried out in the "design and build" formula, in the form of an unlimited EU tender. Both Polish and foreign shipyards may apply for the contract. Offers may be submitted until 30 October 2026 by 9 a.m. On the same day they were planned to open.

Second approach to building a successor Youth Gift

The first tender was announced on April 23. Initially, the shipyards concerned were to submit tenders by 29 May, but at their request period postponed to 1 July. Eventually, no offer was received to the Maritime University and the proceedings had to be completed without the choice of the contractor.

No offers did not mean no interest in the project itself. Even before the deadline, the university reported on a large number of questions and requests led by potential performers. The failure of this procedure was determined primarily by the conditions and timetable for such a complex project.

The shipyards got more time to design and build

The new sailing ship is to be handed over to the Maritime University within about three years of the beginning of the work. Design and construction will begin after the contract with the contractor selected in the tender.

For potential performers this is a significant change. The construction of a large school sailboat is not limited to making a hull and installing standard equipment. It is necessary to design and perform extensive masting and rigging, to prepare space for the crew and a large group of apprentices, as well as to integrate training equipment and a new propulsion system.

Only the opening of offers will show, however, whether the changes made after the consultation are sufficient for the shipyards to decide to proceed.

Successor Youth Gift will be a bigger ship

The assumptions concerning the ship itself have not changed substantially. Sailboat successor to be a holding school unit, slightly larger than the current Youth Gift.

The total length together with the beechspite is approximately 112 m. For comparison The Gift of Youth It is 108.8 m long. The width of the new vessel shall be approximately 15 m in relation to approximately 14 m in the case of the current sailboat.

The base sail surface will also increase. The specification provides for at least 3300 m2 against 3015 m2 per The Gift of Youth. The masts are to reach up to 58.4 m, while the highest one is now about 49.5 m.

The new vessel will also receive a hybrid propulsion system including the engine diesel-powered and supporting the electric motor. Its power is about 1300 kW. Under mechanical engine, the sailboat is expected to develop speed up to about 12 knots.

At the same time, the Maritime University wants to maintain a clear reference to the tradition of Polish school sailing ships. The new unit and the new unit are to refer to The Gift of Pomerania, predecessor Youth Gift.

PLN 350 million for the new school sailboat

To build a successor Youth Gift The government's multiannual programme provides for approximately PLN 350 million. The project is part of the programme "Construction of ships for maritime universities from 2025 to 2029", which also includes a new school and research unit for the Maritime University of Technology in Szczecin.

For the University of Gdynia, the success of the second tender will be crucial for the further timetable of the entire programme. The Gift of Youth was launched in 1981 and remains a primary school ship UMG. By the time of entry into service, his successor will continue to be used for training students and students of sea schools.

Now the most important date will be October 30. It will then prove whether the second approach to selecting the contractor will bring offers from the shipyards concerned.

What's next with the present The Gift of Youth?

The very beginning of the building of the successor also opens the question of the future Youth Gift. In Szczecin, the idea was that after the service was completed, the sailboat would permanently dock at the waterfronts there. President Piotr Krzystek declared his support for this initiative, pointing, among others, to the long-term relationship of the ship with the Szczecin marine environment.

The University of the Sea in Gdynia, however, reduces these expectations. University emphasizesthat she did not have talks with Szczecin about the transfer of the unit, and considering its future is premature. The Gift of Youth remains active and will be used to train students at least until the new sailboat enters service.