Topping out ceremony at the construction site of the Offshore Centre of Gdynia Maritime University. Signing of a contract with PGE Baltica for environmental studies for the Baltica 1 offshore wind farm project.
A traditional topping out ceremony was held at the Offshore Centre of the Gdynia Maritime University, which is being built in Gdańsk, symbolising the construction of the highest point of the facility.
“We have completed reinforced concrete and masonry construction works and the assembly of the steel structure in the warehouse hall,” says Jakub Nagraba, Director of the General Construction Division of BUDIMEX S.A. Window joinery and aluminium display cabinets are already being installed. Installation works are underway on the following sanitary installations: heating and cooling, sanitary sewage, hydrant installation and ventilation. From next week, it is planned to start the installation of the flush-mounted electrical installation and electric trays – adds Jakub Nagraba.
In the ongoing second stage, Budimex has completed reinforced concrete and masonry construction works, and the assembly of partition walls has begun. The installation of concealed electrical installations and sanitary installations is also nearing completion. Facade works are planned to start next week. The completion of the works is planned for mid-2023, and by the end of next year, the move to the new headquarters of the GMU Maritime Institute should be completed.
“The GMU Offshore Centre will be a research and educational base for the domestic offshore wind energy sector,” says Prof. Adam Weintrit, Rector of Gdynia Maritime University. „Our duty – as a maritime university – is to support the development of the offshore wind energy sector through teaching, scientific, training and consulting activities. We want to participate in the creation of a local, Polish supply chain for the offshore and we are doing everything to make the Centre the nucleus of the “Polish Offshore Valley”.
“Offshore technologies are part of the Pomeranian Smart Specialization program implemented by the Pomeranian Voivodeship Board” – emphasized the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk. „The Offshore Centre will allow to strengthen international competitiveness and accelerate the pace of development of maritime economy enterprises in Pomerania through the implementation of research and development works, the creation of innovative products, services and technologies in the area of exploration and exploitation of marine resources in an environmentally safe manner.”.
The GMU Offshore Centre will be the seat not only of the Maritime Institute, but also of the GMU Offshore Wind Energy Centre, which will support the offshore sector by educating managerial staff, sharing modern industry knowledge and integrating the offshore wind energy environment. Since March, the Maritime University has been conducting the first Executive MBA studies in Poland and the second in the world for the offshore wind energy sector.
During the Thursday event taking place in the vicinity of the Wisłoujście Fortress, an agreement was symbolically signed between the Gdynia Maritime University, MEWO S.A. and PGE Baltica. The contract concerns environmental studies for the Baltica 1 offshore wind farm project.
“PGE Group places great emphasis on the inclusion of Polish entities in the development of our offshore wind farms. That is why I am glad that we will also benefit from the experience of our national partners in the Baltica 1 project. We have already cooperated with MEWO from Pomerania on environmental studies related to the Baltica Offshore Wind Farm, and we cooperate with the Gdynia Maritime University in other fields – educating staff for the Polish offshore wind sector” – says Piotr Dziubałtowski, Vice President of the Management Board of PGE Baltica for Operating.
“The dynamic development of wind energy may turn out to be a flywheel for the University, but also for many areas of the national economy. The contract signed with PGE Baltica 1 is one of the largest in the history of the university. We will be able to take full advantage of the broad competences and experience of the University’s employees.”– emphasizes Prof. Adam Weintrit, Rector of Gdynia Maritime University. “The requirements of the contract have accelerated the necessary investments in specialized equipment for the GMU Maritime Institute ,” adds the GMU Rector.
OFFSHORE Centre in numbers:
- Two two-storey buildings with a total usable area of 5.5 thousandm2
- Warehouse for measuring devices and equipment with an area of 440m2 (height 7.5 m)
- Laboratory, office, workshop space and social facilities
- about 200 workstations,
- Direct access to the Wisłoujście Quay with a total length of approx. 500 m, of which 200 m of the transshipment quay (20 kN/m2),
The value of the investment, including equipment, is estimated at approx. PLN 50 million. The project is co-financed by the European Union – Regional Operational Programme of the Pomeranian Voivodeship for 2014-2020 co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The completion of the works is planned for June 2023.
