Specialist Vessel Enhances Maritime Capabilities
On June 12, a specialist vessel designed to service the waterway through the Vistula Spit arrived in Poland from Finland. This new addition, named Ursa, will join the fleet of the Maritime Office in Gdynia and will be utilized to maintain approach channels to seaports at depths of up to 18 meters.
State-of-the-Art Construction and Collaboration
Built by Tyovene Oy and Dutch Companies
Built by the Finnish shipyard Tyovene Oy, the construction of the vessel involved collaboration with companies from the Netherlands. The contract included not only the construction of the dredger but also the delivery of a dredging pipeline system, transport containers, and an anchoring system for the tip intended for connection to the dredger’s unloading system. The dredger was launched in September 2023.
Boosting Port Accessibility in Elbląg
Ministry of Infrastructure’s Vision
The Ministry of Infrastructure announced that the use of this vessel for waterway maintenance will enable large ships, measuring up to 100 meters in length with a draft of 4.5 meters, to enter the port in Elbląg within the next two years. This enhancement is expected to significantly boost the port’s accessibility and operational capacity.
Primary Task and Functionality of Ursa
Servicing the Vistula Lagoon and Bay of Gdańsk
The Ursa has docked at the Port of Nowy Świat and is a suction hopper dredger. Its primary task will be servicing the newly constructed, over twenty-kilometer waterway connecting the Vistula Lagoon with the Bay of Gdańsk. This strategic waterway is crucial for improving maritime navigation and trade routes in the region.
Contract Details and Financial Investment
Comprehensive Construction Agreement
The contract for the construction of the Ursa dredger was signed in March 2022. It encompassed the design, construction, equipping, and delivery of the vessel, amounting to a total value of PLN 116.5 million. This significant investment underscores the importance of enhancing maritime infrastructure and capabilities in Poland.