Hanwha Ocean announces $100 million investment to boost Poland’s shipbuilding and maritime industry under Orka prog

Hanwha Ocean has announced a landmark $100 million investment to accelerate the development of Poland’s shipbuilding and maritime industries. The funds will support the implementation of the Orka program, which aims to become a key driver of Poland’s defense modernization and maritime economic growth.

business maritime economy investments pomerania shipbuilding industry defense industry news

09 october 2025   |   01:51   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Hanwha Ocean

The initiative is expected to create over 1,300 new jobs, strengthen local shipyards and supply chains, and generate significant value for the public sector. It represents one of the most comprehensive industrial cooperation offers ever presented within a Polish naval procurement program.

Full technology transfer and development of MRO capabilities

A cornerstone of Hanwha Ocean’s proposal is the complete transfer of technology and the establishment of MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) capabilities in Poland. This will enable Polish engineers and shipyards to independently service, modernize, and maintain the submarines supplied under the program.

As emphasized by Sean Seongwoo Park, vice president for naval ship international business at Hanwha Ocean:

- None of the competitors in the Orka program has presented such an integrated industrial proposal, combining technology transfer, localization, training, and advanced production capabilities. Our objective is for Poland not only to acquire state-of-the-art submarines, but also to develop the long-term skills and autonomy needed to operate and sustain them.

Strengthening Polish industry and local partnerships

Hanwha Ocean is already cooperating with leading Polish companies such as PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, SR Nauta, Famor, Hydromega, Enamor, and Rockfin. This cooperation demonstrates that the Polish shipbuilding sector is evolving beyond the role of a component supplier — becoming an active participant in global naval supply chains and a producer of key maritime systems and technologies.

Advancing skills – from training to design and certification

The Orka program includes a comprehensive training system for submarine crews, covering simulators, at-sea exercises, and onboard practice. The goal is to prepare sailors for the independent operation of new vessels — from combat system management to operational readiness procedures.

Parallel MRO training programs for technicians, engineers, and designers will cover servicing, certification, and technical support. This will elevate Polish industry from the level of assembly to design, certification, and full lifecycle support, creating genuine value-added capabilities and industrial sovereignty.

A strong impulse for Pomerania and Poland’s maritime economy

According to OECD data, the shipbuilding and related sectors in the Pomeranian region currently employ around 27,000 people, accounting for 3.3% of all regional employment. The Hanwha Ocean investment under the Orka program could significantly increase this figure by attracting new suppliers, research centers, and export-oriented projects.

Local ports, logistics hubs, and maritime service providers are also expected to benefit directly, while the knowledge and skills gained through the program will have spillover effects in the civilian maritime sector — including green shipbuilding, commercial fleet maintenance, and offshore energy support.

Korean expertise and next-generation submarine technology

South Korea has extensive experience in designing and constructing advanced conventional submarines, such as the KSS-III class, which feature air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, lithium-ion batteries, and vertical launch systems (VLS).

This combination of cutting-edge technology, industrial infrastructure, and proven know-how enables a fast and reliable localization process in Poland — positioning Pomerania as a potential European center of maritime innovation, production, and defense capability.

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