Commander Maciej Janiak award. Honouring those who build maritime Poland

The Polish maritime community has gained a new prestigious distinction. The Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, the Shipbuilding Council, and the heirs of Commander Maciej Janiak invite nominations for the Commander Maciej Janiak award. The initiative aims to honour individuals and institutions that have made a significant contribution to the development of the Polish Navy and to promoting the idea of “maritime Poland”.

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13 march 2026   |   10:19   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Krzysztof Miłosz / Akademia Marynarki Wojennej

The award was established to recognise contemporary initiatives that strengthen Poland’s maritime potential – in military, economic, and social dimensions. It is granted once a year and has an honorary character. The laureate receives a commemorative statuette and a diploma, and the award ceremony takes place during the annual Sea Days celebrations.

As emphasized by the chairman of the award chapter, Prof. Andrzej Makowski, the initiative has a broader meaning than a symbolic distinction.

- The award is not only symbolic but also integrative for the maritime community. It is meant to promote individuals and institutions whose activities strengthen the awareness of the importance of the sea for the country’s security, economy and national identity.

The patron: a man devoted to maritime affairs

The award bears the name of Commander Maciej Janiak, a figure highly respected within the Polish maritime community. His organisational and social activities supported the development of the Polish fleet and helped promote awareness of the strategic importance of the sea for the state.

The legacy of the award’s patron remains an important point of reference for contemporary initiatives related to Poland’s maritime development.

- Commander Maciej Janiak’s organisational and social work for the development of the Polish fleet and for raising awareness of the importance of the sea for the state remains an inspiration for future generations.

It is precisely these values that the award refers to, recognising people and institutions that continue the mission of strengthening Poland’s maritime identity and capabilities.

First laureate: "MORZE"

In the first edition of the competition, the award chapter unanimously decided to grant the distinction to the publisher of the quarterly magazine “MORZE” – the Kraków-based company Charter Navigator Sp. z o.o. The award was granted for its overall activities and for promoting maritime issues in Poland.

The ceremony took place on 3 December 2025 aboard the historic destroyer ORP “Błyskawica” in Gdynia, one of the most symbolic ships in the history of the Polish Navy.

For the editorial team of Gazeta Morska, this recognition has a special significance as well. We are particularly pleased that the award has been granted to the quarterly MORZE, especially in view of the editorial cooperation and partnership that connect our two publications. Both titles, although operating in different publishing formats, contribute to the promotion of maritime knowledge, naval affairs and the maritime economy.

The award chapter

The laureate is selected by a nine-member award chapter representing key institutions of the maritime and national security community. Its members include representatives of:

• the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia
• the Shipbuilding Council
• the heirs of Commander Maciej Janiak
• the National Security Bureau
• the Polish Navy Inspectorate
• the Polish Armaments Group
• the municipal authorities of Ostrzeszów – the birthplace of Commander Maciej Janiak.

Such a composition ensures that the selection process reflects military, scientific, industrial and social perspectives.

- The choice of the laureate takes into account military, scientific, industrial and social perspectives.

Who can submit nominations

Nominations may be submitted by:

• public institutions
• companies from the maritime industry
• universities and research centres
• research and development institutions
• social organisations
• media outlets.

Each nomination should include basic information about the candidate, a short biographical or informational note, and a justification for the nomination.

Deadline for submissions

Nominations for this year’s edition of the Commander Maciej Janiak award may be submitted until 30 September 2026. Applications should be sent to the Rector’s Office of the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia in both electronic and paper form.

The organisers encourage representatives of academic, business, local government and social communities to actively participate in submitting candidates.

- Thanks to this, it will be possible to honour individuals and institutions who continue the work of the award’s patron – building a strong, modern Republic of Poland aware of its maritime character.

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