The Polish Yacht Industry: a Blueprint for Long-Term Success
Sponsored content by PAIH (Polish Investment and Trade Agency)
Over the last few decades, the Polish boat and yacht industry has grown incredibly. Top quality, technological advancement, innovation, resourcefulness are all features that consumers have become used to associating with Polish watercrafts of today. These features, however, do not simply define the end product; they also characterize the very manufacturing process itself. This would not have been so, had Polish boatyards not placed a great deal of emphasis on developing their co-operation with the R&D sector, cultivating a culture of wise management, and promoting the education of future technical and managerial personnel.
At full sail
Following the collapse of communist rule in 1989, Poland has enjoyed a period of rapid and successful development in all areas that define a modern democratic state. Today, Poland’s economy is the sixth largest in the EU, characterized by a stable GDP growth rate that presently amounts to 3.2% and exceeds the EU average nearly three times. One of its main branches is the marine industry, with the boat and yacht building sector as the main calling card.
Today, Poland is the leading boat and yacht manufacturer in Europe and a close runner-up to the United States with regard to the global production of 6 to 12-meter motorboats. The manufacturing capacity of Polish shipyards, including globally-recognized Conrad Shipyard, Galeon or Northman, is estimated at 25 thousand yachts and boats per annum. The production is also outsourced by various companies from around the world, such as Saxdor, Jeanneau, Beneteau, or the U.S.-based Sea Ray, Bayliner and Quicksilver. While motor yachts constitute a significant part of the entire output, Polish shipbuilders are also praised for their achievements in the superyacht category, top-tier leisure watercrafts reaching 44 meters in length and luxurious enough to appeal to both royal families and the most famous celebrities .
Excellence in one field does not imply Polish manufacturers have abandoned their continuous effort to expand other areas of their craftsmanship. Despite the fact that over the last ten years the production focus has been steadily shifted toward larger, better equipped and more expensive vessels, the Polish boat industry is still widely recognized for its extensive output. Sailing, motor and superyachts aside, catamarans, floating houses, and other ready-made watercrafts of all kinds and sizes are all included in the offer.
Furthermore, apart from the vessels mentioned above, the Polish marine industry is known for its high-quality boat and yacht components and accessories that can be obtained separately, such as hulls, sails or masts, as well as an endless supply of boat-care products, paints, varnishes, primers, fillers, adhesives, resins, and basically anything that is boat-related.
The future starts now
Over the last two decades, the Polish boat and yacht industry has developed substantially. It is a great achievement of the entire industry: a smart reinvestment policy to introduce state-of-the-art technologies, comprehensive R&D and design works, but also tailor-suited education programs.
Polish shipyards have begun to reap the benefits coming from the long-time co-operation with Polish universities, established with a view to conducting bio-composite research and tests, researching alternative power drives, improving waste management and recycling methods, as well as perfecting other aspects related to the boat life cycle assessment. In parallel to the industry itself, its scientific and research base has also seen a major development, which contributed in a significant way to the success Polish motor boats and yachts enjoy on the global market today. Establishing such a productive R&D base was an ongoing endeavor that took many years and called for a concerted effort of thousands of skilled and highly qualified employees.
Accomplished technicians and highly educated managerial personnel have always been one of the main focal points for the industry. Future members of the industry’s managerial staff and its would-be leaders begin their specialized training in secondary schools and continue their journey through the ranks of higher education. This is to secure Poland’s dominant position on the market and inspire further development of the boat and yacht sector.
Sustainable solutions and modern technologies
As mentioned before, a smart policy of reinvesting most of the income generated by the industry over the last two decades enabled the modernization of Polish shipyards. Today, they are regarded as one of the most advanced facilities in Europe. Newly implemented technologies and manufacturing methods not only improve work efficiency and increase the production output, but they also help the industry meet the most restrictive regulations pertaining to the natural environment. The Polish yacht industry is going green.
The principles of sustainable development are adhered to at every stage of production. Basic yacht components are being made of glass, carbon and Kevlar fibers with the use of vacuum, infusion and prepreg methods. Polish shipyards are becoming more and more interested in natural fiber composites. Some are already working on vessels made of flax fiber reinforced composites and biological resins, an environment friendly alternative to traditional composite structures made of glass fiber reinforced polyesters that display similar properties. Most of the materials utilized are going to be fully recyclable with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint.
As far as eco-friendly emission-free driving is concerned, more and more fuel cells are appearing on the domestic market, whereas high-power inverter systems based on lithium batteries are becoming more and more popular. Solar panel systems are quickly becoming a common standard, and are being integrated into the composite structure of Polish yachts. They are lightweight and can be easily mounted onto any surface of the watercraft to provide increased solar energy. The newest solution, however, introduces hydrogen fuel cell power generators, small hydrogen power plants that employ industrially available hydrogen cylinders to solve the refueling issue. The green revolution has already begun and the Polish yacht sector is on board with it.
Investment opportunities aplenty
The Polish boat and yacht industry has not simply become the leading force in the field; in recent years it has started to separate itself from the pack. Just at the last Polboat Yachting Festival alone, the largest boat show in the country, the attendees had the chance to view multiple brand new units coming from Polish boatyards. It has become abundantly clear this Polish industry strives to set the competitive bar ever higher and is keen to respond to any ongoing market fluctuations with a quick and decisive offer. It also wants to stimulate demand for newer and better products that will guarantee even greater comfort, pleasure and safety to sailing enthusiasts all over the globe.
At the same time the industry tries its hardest to complete every manufacturing process in such a way as to preserve the natural environment. Compliance with sustainable policies is observed at every production stage. Modernized factories, university-based research, bio-composite testing, these are all but means to an end: to turn the industry green and further its development. This is the perfect time to invest.
The Polish yacht industry – a trustworthy business partner
The development of the Polish yacht industry would not have been possible without multi-layered co-operation established between various industries, State and science institutions, and Polish entrepreneurs, with POLBOAT (the Polish Chamber of Marine Industry and Water Sports) leading the way. POLBOAT is the standard-bearer for the entire sector and its representative within the ranks of international bodies such as ICOMIA or EBI.
The international expansion of Polish yacht builders is supported by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (abbr. PAIH). This State body with a network of offices spanning the entire globe (including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York) functions also as the first point of contact for every American businessperson interested in investing in the Polish yacht sector or wishing to import Polish yachts.
