Baird Maritime, the publisher of maritime professional magazines and portals, has awarded the ships Zodiak II and Planeta I from Remontowa Shipbuilding SA shipyard with the 2020 World’s Best Multi-Purpose Vessel Award.
Zodiak II and Planeta I are twin multipurpose vessels built as part of the “Nostri Maris – construction of two multipurpose vessels” project conducted by the Maritime Office in Szczecin, co-financed by the European Union from the Cohesion Fund, under the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme 2014-2020.
The new, 60-metre-long vessels replaced the long-used vessels, currently 38 years old, previously operated by the Maritime Office in Szczecin and the Maritime Office in Gdynia. The first of the two vessels of this type – Zodiak II – was handed over to the Maritime Office in Gdynia, Planeta I to the Maritime Office in Szczecin.
Completing these highly versatile vessels and putting them into service was quite a challenge for Remontowa Shipbuilding SA, which like other companies around the world, had to make significant changes to its day-to-day operations to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic – reports Baird Maritime.
Despite numerous difficulties, the shipyard delivered nine vessels last year. As highlighted in Baird Maritime’s commentary, Remontowa Shipbuilding has built on its earlier success with advanced negotiations with potential customers, increasing the possibility of securing further orders for new advanced vessels.
We expect the use of alternative fuels to have an ever-increasing impact on ship design and construction, the company stated.
Remontowa Shipbuilding admitted, however, that the ongoing pandemic will continue to create constraints for the Polish shipbuilding industry, especially in winning new orders.
– While we will continue to work on winning new foreign contracts, we are currently focusing on executing projects for domestic clients, especially for the Navy – the company said.
Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a very creative and productive year for shipbuilders and manufacturers worldwide, particularly in the fishing, passenger and maritime safety sectors, writes Neil Baird, co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Baird Maritime and Work Boat World magazine.
– Importantly, the innovation demonstrated in vessel design and equipment, and the quality of construction and finish, overall, was unprecedented and impressive.
For a list of the 2020 ‘Best Of’ award winners, click here.