Yachts – a Polish asset

Yachts – a Polish asset

The Polish yacht industry is appreciated worldwide. It is one of the most promising and technologically advanced branches of the Polish economy, associated with luxury goods and top quality. Poland is a European power and a global runner-up in the construction of yachts and boats, frequently awarded for quality and innovation. The Coronavirus pandemic has paradoxically helped the Polish yachting industry, with a significant increase in demand for new sailing and motor yachts recorded since last year.

The fact that the industry is doing well, was demonstrated for instance during the second edition of the largest exhibition of watercraft in Poland, Polboat Yachting Festival, which took place in mid-July in Gdynia. At the Marina Yacht Park visitors could admire nearly 60 yachts and boats from leading Polish shipyards, also appreciated abroad, such as Sunreef Yachts from Gdansk, Galeon Yachts from Straszyn or Delphia Yachts from Olecko. 

The Polish yacht industry produces around 22,000 yachts a year – 19,000 motor boats and 3,000 sailing boats. The annual growth in production, on the other hand, is approximately 10%. Poland is the leading European and the second largest global manufacturer of motor yachts of up to 9m in length.  Although there are only a few large-scale shipyards in Poland, the whole sector of manufacturers of this type of watercraft in our country is comprised of approx.1000 companies, which employ about 45 thousand people.This includes approx. 120 shipyards, and 95% of enterprises are small and medium-sized. Polish exports of yachts accounted for 60% of the total export value in this sector in the European Union and they doubled in 2014-2018 (from EUR 184.8 million to EUR 395.8 million). Far behind us were ranked Finland (EUR 60 million, 9.1% of EU exports) and Italy (EUR 36.7 million, 5.6%)

The greatest and unquestionable asset distinguishing Polish shipyards are the relatively low production costs, as well as the huge potential inherent in the numerous companies in terms of technology, quality of finish and design. As experts from PIE point out, Polish yacht building manufacturers are among the most advanced in Europe. Since yachts can be priced between several hundred thousand and several million euros, the demand for yachts in Poland is still low, which is why, as mentioned above, almost the entire output is exported.

The advantage of Polish shipyards over others located in the EU lies in the fact that Polish manufacturers ensure lower production costs, while using the highest quality know-how and exactly the same materials as other European shipyards located in southern Europe or Scandinavia. They use designs from world-renowned companies that are dedicated to design at the finest level.

Polish shipyards have also been increasingly collaborating with research institutions. They benefit from the availability and possibilities of, for example, the Faculty of Ocean Engineering and Shipbuilding Technology at the Gdańsk University of Technology. Professional Research and Development Centres are being established, e.g. in Olecko or Węgorzewo. They conduct research into drives, materials used in production as well as cutting-edge technologies that may play an important role in the future. 

An additional advantage of the Polish yacht market is the introduction by domestic shipyards of innovative and cutting-edge solutions that effectively set the trends and become an inspiration for other manufacturers. The drop boardsides, for example, are an excellent example. The main markets for Polish yachts are: United States, Western Europe (Norway, France, Germany), Russia and the Middle East. Our yachts are also sold in Australia, Japan and  China.

Situation of the Polish yachting industry and its position in Europe and in the world will be a completely new topic, discussed at the upcoming Maritime Economy Forum Gdynia. The 20th anniversary edition of the event will take place on October 7- 8, 2021.

Article developed with Namiary na Morze i Handel magazine

phot. Namiary na Morze i Handel magazine