Moving into Pole position

The visit, organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, began in Gdańsk, where the maritime story stretches back a millennium.

The centuries-old crane on the Motława River, nestled amongst the Gothic and Baroque-Renaissance era buildings, bears a brutal contrast to the World War II Museum metres away; a metaphor for the duality of the past and present as we continue to move forward. These landmarks embody the nation’s shipbuilding heritage, not only through engineering but through politics. The iconic Gdańsk Shipyard still carries the memory of the Solidarity movement as workers fought for rights and freedom against an oppressive regime and paid the ultimate price.

Poland has moved forward, far beyond its post-war industrial recovery. Today, the same docklands are being used for a different purpose. Industrial sheds once filled with steel plates and heavy machinery now contain superyacht hulls and composite catamarans.

For years, Poland has sat on the periphery of European yacht building, recognised for commercial vessels and industrial shipyards rather than anything resembling luxury. But time spent moving between the workshops and waterfronts of the Tricity region leaves an immovable impression that is no longer accurate, no longer captures what is happening here. Across Gdańsk, Gdynia and Ostróda, movement is well underway as local yards push further into the larger market for high-end sailing and motor yachts.

Sunreef Yachts embodies superyacht evolution and offers a distinct interpretation of Polish ambition. Instead of one-off motor yachts, the company typically concentrates on large catamarans that appeal to a growing segment of the market. Walking through the production halls, it is clear the yard operates at a different tempo with multiple models under construction, from 24 metre sailing catamarans to the upcoming Ultima 88.

Research into solar power and alternative propulsion has become a defining element of the brand. The company’s leadership often points to the early years when convincing customers to consider a Polish-built luxury product was far from easy. Two decades on, Sunreef is quite easily the most recognisable Polish name in global yachting and comfortably places itself amongst the highest echelons of the market.

Sunreef used the Monaco Yacht Show to introduce a 65 metre Explorer catamaran concept, a build of about 1,800 GT that would become one of the largest multihulls on the market. The project remains at concept stage and the first hull has not yet been sold, but the yard has signalled a possible 2027 start for an owner who chooses to proceed. The presentation alone marks an advance as Poland positions itself in a segment where size, range and volume are becoming decisive factors for new buyers.

A few miles away, Conrad Shipyard has built a reputation for one-off projects for international clients. The company, established as a specialist division in 2003, is now working on two yachts over 30 metres, including the latest in its C144S series, as well as a new 42-metre sailing yacht. The launch of ACE in 2022 proved a turning point for the yard and encouraged further investment in facilities that can take on larger builds. The company’s trajectory shows that Polish yards can compete in areas where craftsmanship matters as much as scale.

Polish yards consistently cite the country’s technical universities as a central reason for their competitiveness and the connection between academia and local employers ensures a steady pool of specialised labour, which remains one of Poland’s strategic advantages. It might come as no surprise, however, that labour remains the most pressing issue across all of the shipyards. It’s a Western-wide phenomenon that continues to plague shipbuilding.

Across the market, Poles have often been praised for their industrious attitudes and steely craftsmanship, which have fuelled the growth of German and Dutch shipyards behind the scenes. Keeping them in Poland, however, has proven to be an issue. And the trade is one the next generation is seemingly less interested in following in spite of the rich history and prospects of the future.

That’s why awareness and accessibility, however, remain a challenge. But this is where the POLBOAT Yachting Festival has taken on a larger role. Held each year in Gdynia, the event has become the country’s principal showcase for yachts of all sizes. More than 120 boats were on display this year, with a mix of Polish and international premieres. Local officials spoke openly about the importance of maintaining resilience amid uncertainty and highlighted the festival as evidence of the sector’s growing maturity.

Poland fields a capable group of yacht builders, suppliers and engineers whose work is drawing global interest. Their craft remains rooted in the country’s maritime tradition but is now channelled into higher value projects that are placing Poland more firmly on the map. Retaining talent will be the test that determines how far this rise can go. Should the sector manage it, Poland will not simply catch up with its neighbours. It will help redefine where the centre of European yacht building sits.

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