Hanwha Ocean is actively working to secure the Orka Project, a 8 trillion won (approximately $5.5 billion) initiative involving the procurement of three submarines for the modernization of the Polish Navy, according to Korea IT Times.
From March 25 to 26, Hanwha Ocean’s CEO Kim Hee-chul and a team of 17 employees across various departments, including overseas sales, strategy, procurement, and production, visited the Remontowa and Nauta shipyards located in Gdańsk and Gdynia, Poland, respectively. During these visits, they discussed collaboration opportunities for shipbuilding, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) operations, diversification of ship types, and eco-friendly technologies.
The objective of Hanwha Ocean’s visit was not only to pursue the Orka Project but also to explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and development between South Korea and Poland through partnerships with local companies.
At Remontowa Shipyard, discussions focused on the diversification of ship types, including commercial vessels, and collaborations on eco-friendly technologies. Meanwhile, proposals related to new shipbuilding and MRO business opportunities were discussed with Nauta Shipyard.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Hanwha Ocean. We hope to establish a long-term strategic partnership based on mutual trust and technological exchange,” said Monika Kozakiewicz, the Managing Director of Nauta Shipyard. “Nauta and the PGZ Group are prepared to take a leading role in the MRO sector while sharing a common vision to enhance capabilities within Poland and will work closely with Hanwha Ocean.”
Dariusz Jaguszewski, the President of Remontowa Shipyard, also indicated readiness to discuss specific matters once explored possibilities for long-term cooperation are established. He expressed hope, saying, “We look forward to creating entirely new business opportunities together from a long-term perspective.”
Remontowa Shipyard is one of Poland’s leading shipbuilding companies, boasting a record of constructing and repairing over 200 vessels annually. It is recognized as the top shipyard in Europe for MRO services, with extensive experience and technical capabilities in both commercial and specialized vessels.
Nauta Shipyard, a defense-specialized shipyard, has substantial military project experience and design capabilities, having built and maintained numerous vessels for the Polish Navy. It holds the second-largest market share in the Polish military vessel MRO market and is a subsidiary of the state-owned defense group, PGZ.
Hanwha Ocean is continually expanding its collaborations with local companies to secure the Orka Project. Last year, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Polish defense group WB for submarine business cooperation, and it is focusing on localization efforts, including the establishment of MRO plans with PGZ and the British company Babcock. Additionally, Hanwha Ocean plans to contribute to the development of Poland’s shipbuilding and related industries through localization and technology transfer for submarine MRO.
“The selection of a preferred bidder for the Orka Project has not yet been completed, but Hanwha Ocean is being considered as a strong candidate,” said Park Seong-woo, Vice President of Hanwha Ocean’s overseas business division. “We plan to enhance local activities to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and Poland in economic, industrial, and naval development, ultimately leading to contract acquisition.”