GDYNIA, Poland : Norway-based STADT Naval AS has signed a contract to deliver a fully integrated electric power and propulsion system for Poland’s next-generation submarine rescue vessel, ORP Ratownik, currently under construction at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia. The agreement formalizes the supply of an advanced diesel-electric propulsion architecture for the 96-meter vessel and strengthens ongoing maritime industrial cooperation between Poland and Norway.
The ORP Ratownik program is a key modernization initiative for the Polish Navy. The vessel is being built to replace the aging rescue ships ORP Piast and ORP Lech, which have remained in service for more than 50 years. Following its keel-laying ceremony in early February 2026, the ship is scheduled for launch in 2027 and delivery to the Polish Navy in 2029.
Vessel Design and Operational Profile
With an overall length of 96 meters, a beam of 19 meters, and a displacement of approximately 6,500 tonnes, ORP Ratownik will be among the largest and most capable submarine rescue vessels operating in the Baltic Sea. The ship will accommodate a core crew of 100 personnel along with nine specialized staff assigned to rescue and diving operations.
The vessel is designed for a maximum speed of 16 knots and will have an operational range of up to 6,000 nautical miles. It will be equipped with Dynamic Positioning (DP) capability to maintain precise station-keeping during rescue and subsea operations.
Its primary mission set includes submarine rescue operations, including crew evacuation support and interoperability with allied systems such as the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). The vessel will also perform seabed warfare and defense tasks, including inspection and protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI) in the Baltic region. In addition, it will conduct advanced diving operations, supported by integrated hyperbaric chamber complexes for deep saturation diving missions.
The platform is intended to support both national and NATO-aligned missions, reflecting the increasing operational focus on the Baltic Sea region.
Electric Power and Propulsion System
Under the finalized contract, STADT Naval AS will supply an 8,000 kWe electric drive system based on its patented Lean Propulsion® technology. The propulsion architecture is designed to meet the operational requirements of dynamic positioning and low acoustic signature missions.
The system configuration includes four diesel generator sets, each rated at 3 megawatts, supplying electrical power for propulsion and onboard systems. The generated power will drive five controllable pitch propellers, a retractable aft controllable pitch thruster, and bow thrusters.
All propellers will be equipped with STADT AC induction motors, manufactured without the use of rare earth minerals, reducing supply chain dependency. The ship will also feature a 690-volt AC main switchboard, forming the core of its electrical distribution network.
The propulsion architecture relies on a pure AC main power distribution system, rather than conventional DC-based solutions. According to the company, this configuration reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and enables low underwater radiated noise (URN) levels. The system has previously undergone verification by the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Electric drive energy losses are specified at approximately 0.1%, contributing to reduced system complexity and improved operational reliability.
Industrial and Strategic Context
The ORP Ratownik project represents the 18th dynamically positioned vessel worldwide to be equipped with Lean Propulsion technology. It is also the fourth major naval ship project in Poland to incorporate a full diesel-electric power and propulsion system supplied by the Norwegian manufacturer.
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, the Polish shipyard responsible for construction, has positioned the program as part of a broader naval modernization effort aimed at strengthening domestic shipbuilding capabilities. Company leadership has emphasized the importance of low-noise electric propulsion for submarine rescue operations.
For STADT Group, the agreement expands its presence in Poland and the Baltic region. The company has stated that the contract supports continued industrial activity and employment at its facilities in Gjerdsvika, Norway, while reinforcing long-term cooperation with Polish defense industry partners.
The ORP Ratownik is expected to enter service in 2029, enhancing Poland’s capacity to conduct submarine rescue, underwater infrastructure protection, and specialized diving missions in the Baltic Sea and in support of allied operations.
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