Danish shipbuilder Karstensens Skibsværft has been active in Poland for some time, having initially contracted hull construction to Polish shipyards, and subsequently establishing its own production in Gdynia, Karstensen Shipyard Poland, which was set up in 2018.
Having run this operation from leased facilities up to now, Karstensen has now acquired its own yard in Gdansk. These are facilities that were used by Nauta Shipyard in the past, including to produce 20 hulls built for Karstensen, as well as hulls for other shipbuilders and completed vessels.
Nauta’s newbuilding division in Gdansk shut down as KS Poland began its activity in 2018.
According to a statement from Karstensen, the acquisition provides them with three times the space it has at its current leased site.
KS Poland currently has six hulls under construction and employs a workforce of 500 – and will continue operation at the current location in Gdynia until 1st July next year, by which time it aims to be fully installed in the new yard in Gdansk.
The Gdansk yard has 250 metres of quayside space, 280×36 metre and 240×28 metre construction docks, a 200x50metre construction hall and further facilities, including office, canteen and changing room facilities.
‘The investment in Poland does not affect production or staff in Skagen,’ the company states.
‘On the contrary, the investment in better production conditions in Poland is expected to benefit and add much-needed capacity to the shipyard group, so that the Karstensen Group can continue its position as a supplier of larger fishing vessels and other types of vessel.’
