The construction of Polish Navy’s sixth Kormoran II class mine countermeasure vessel, named ORP Czajka, has formally commenced with a keel-laying ceremony at Remontowa Shipbuilding.
During the event, a keel-laying protocol was endorsed, and a commemorative coin was welded into the structure, symbolising good fortune for the ship's future service.
The initial steel cutting for this vessel occurred in October 2024.
Remontowa Shipbuilding CEO Dariusz Jaguszewski said: “Cooperation with the Navy has been part of our shipyard’s history almost since its inception.
“We have built nearly 600 modern naval and special ships. Some of them remain in service to date. This testifies to the high quality and reliability of the ships we build.”
The contract for the Kormoran II project was secured by a consortium in September 2013, following an agreement with the Armament Inspectorate.
The consortium is spearheaded by Remontowa and includes the Naval Shipyard Gdynia and the R&D Marine Technology Centre (CTM), both based in Gdynia.
The contract encompasses the design and construction of a prototype minehunter, with the first steel cutting for the inaugural unit taking place at Remontowa Shipbuilding in 2014.
The construction of the Kormoran II class vessels is a component of Poland's naval modernisation efforts.
These ships are constructed from non-magnetic steel to ensure effectiveness in mine countermeasure operations.
The ORP Czajka measures 58.5 metres (m) in length, 10.3m in width, with a height of 6.4m to the forecastle deck and 4.7m to the main deck aft.
With a displacement of 850 tonnes, the vessel can accommodate a crew of 45, plus an additional six members. The ship's midsection contains an auxiliary power room and fuel storage facilities.
National Security Bureau head Jacek Siewiera said: “It is a great task for the State to use this chain, optimised in terms of production, as an export offer of the Polish Republic, the offer of our industry in relations with foreign partners, with the countries of the Baltic region, but also with countries far from the European Union, whose interest in defence of infrastructure at this dangerous time, when they are observing what is happening in the Baltic region, is only growing.”
