Aktualności

The region’s potential for offshore sector

At present, there is a common misconception that the regional shipyards were closed down. And yet, it turns out that the shipbuilding industry was actively looking for a new niche, which could fulfil its potential on the global market and which let it be reborn again, like a phoenix from the ashes. It seems that the industry has found its alternative.

The privatisation of the Gdynia Shipyard has not killed off the industry, which was falsely predicted by the opponents. On the contrary, due to the purchase of the shipyard assets, dry dock, in particular, local Shipyard CRIST S.A. could carry out its biggest contract placed by Hochtief Construction and Beluga Offshore. It is the most technologically advanced heavy lift jack up vessel designed to load and install wind turbines. The vessel can carry up to 8 000 tonnes and its lifting capacity is up to 1500 tonnes. CRIST S.A. is one of the regional shipyards that have seized huge opportunities in offshore sector and compete successfully for contracts to build wind turbine installation vessels. What makes it possible is innovation drive and well-organised supply chain. " The company's strategy is opening up for the market of specialist hydro technical constructions; offshore construction and subsea constructions. ", says Krzysztof Kulczycki , a member of the Board of CRIST S.A.

Why is it worth going into offshore sector in the foreseeable future?

The answer is simple. EU member countries have their commitments to internationally agreed climate goals. To fulfil these goals, they put in place generous government grants for renewable energy investments. By 2020 entire Europe needs to generate 230 GW of wind energy, with 190 GW onshore; and 40 GW offshore. In 2010 Europe was not even halfway to its targets. At the end of 2010, the onshore installed capacity reached 84 GW. As for offshore, it was 3 295 GW in mid 2011. The installation cost of 1 MW offshore is about 2- 4 m Euro. Given this, the generation of the required green energy volume by 2020 needs huge investments. According to the scenario of European Wind Energy Association (EWEA, annul investment expenditure for green energy will be growing rapidly form 13 bn. euro in 2010 to 27 bn. euro in 2020. This is why, wind turbine manufacturers and their subcontractors as well as engineering and construction companies do not need to worry about the contacts. The cake is big enough for everybody.

Which slice of the cake is the most attractive for local companies - where can we use our competitive advantage in offshore sector?

First of all, the regional industry has extensive expertise and experience in shipbuilding, which allows our companies to compete for contracts to build vessels designed for installation of foundations and support structures. These are the projects that have earned CRIST S.A. a  good reputation with ship-owners as well as with leading civil and marine engineering and construction companies.

Secondly, in its latest report Wind in our Sails 2011, EWEA forecasts a new trend of moving turbine and foundation manufacturing to Eastern Europe to take advantage of lower labour costs, which are much more competitive than those in Western Europe. According to the report, Gdansk Port meets all the required technical parameters and as such stands a good chance to become a future turbine manufacturing hub. The report identifies manufacturing of large structures such as support structures, foundations, towers or transformation platforms for offshore wind farms, as another huge opportunity for local companies.

It is exactly wind tower manufacturing that is one of the pillars of today's operations of Gdansk Shipyard, a former Lech Walesa's workplace. "The Shipyard has one of the largest production halls in Europe; 6.5 hectares under one roof, capable of processing 150 000 tons of steel per year, state of the art production equipment and very soon an entire factory. "We are the only company in Poland offering integrated solutions for on- and offshore towers and foundation structures", says Thomas Gaardbo, vice-president of Gdansk Shipyard Group Towers. "The new facility will increase - our capacity to 300 towers per year - and will be able to produce the largest structures on the market", he assures. Other local companies such as Vistal Group, Energomontaż Północ or Gafaco also target wind offshore market.

What makes our companies competitive on offshore market ?

A number of factors can contribute to our competitive advantage. "First of all the excellent location; in the heart of Europe and additionally at the coastline of Baltic Sea. Consequently from our quays we can transport the products by sea directly to the sites of our customer", stresses GSG Towers vice-president. Due to high transport costs, especially of large turbine structures, manufacturing facilities in the offshore sector are usually located near developing markets. EWEA estimates that currently there are offshore wind farms projects under construction in Germany, Belgium and the UK with total capacity of 5 603 MW. Consented projects in the area of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea will reach 17 341 MW. The execution of the projects will generate large contracts in our region, which gives opportunities for our local shipbuilding industry.

Apart from transport costs, the region prides itself on huge pool of labour with specialist expertise in shipbuilding and steel engineering. According to a report complied by HR company, Stratpeople, Pomerania region has the largest number of specialists in shipbuilding industry in the whole Poland. One of the distinctive features of our labour force is mobility, which translates into a wealth of expertise brought back to the region by local specialist working on international contracts, mainly in oil and gas. The quality of service provided by local companies and their workers is very high and it is guaranteed by standards and certifications awarded by classification companies such as Det Norske Veritas, TUV Rheinland Poland, Polish Ship Register, Lloyds Register or Polish Welding Institute in Gliwice. In an attempt to guarantee future access to skilled labour force, local companies have started co-operation with schools. The collaboration between CRIST S.A. and Technical Vocational School in Gdynia illustrates the trend. "Shipbuilding industry is developing very rapidly, we now are seeing shortage of skilled workers. This is why, we attach particular importance to training new talent" , says Ireneusz Ćwirko, a member of the Board of CRIST S.A.

Anna Kamińska