Politics

Submarines, Oder National Park, offshore law and VAT. Wednesday marks maritime policy shifts

This Wednesday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers will be dominated by issues directly affecting Poland’s naval, maritime and port sectors. The government is set to adopt a resolution on the acquisition of new submarines, discuss a bill establishing the Lower Oder Valley National Park, amend the offshore wind energy law, and review VAT changes of particular importance for importers and port-related businesses.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 17.09.2025, 07:17 Reading time: 2 min

Ministers and military officers seated at a long conference table with Polish and EU flags — fot. KPRM

In brief

The Council of Ministers will consider on Wednesday a resolution on the purchase of new submarines under the Orka programme, obliging the government to finalise the transaction by the end of 2025. Bids were submitted by seven entities: two shipyards from South Korea and one each from France, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Italy. The agenda also includes a draft act on the Lower Oder Valley National Park covering 3,856 hectares with its seat in Gryfino, and an amendment to the offshore act introducing an intervention auction in 2026 and a cap of 200 MW of additional capacity.

Orka – a landmark decision for the Navy

The key item on the agenda is the Orka programme. The resolution will oblige the government to finalize the purchase of new submarines by the end of this year. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in Ustka that all bids have been reviewed and the time has come to select Poland’s final partner in this strategic procurement.

Seven bids were submitted: two from South Korea and one each from France, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Italy. The upcoming decision is expected to pave the way for one of the most significant naval modernization projects in decades, replacing the retired Kobben-class units and reinforcing Poland’s deterrence and NATO interoperability in the Baltic Sea and beyond.

Lower Oder Valley National Park

The government will also debate a bill to establish a new national park in West Pomerania. Covering 3,856 hectares, the Lower Oder Valley National Park aims to safeguard biodiversity and the region’s unique landscapes. Importantly for the local economy, the draft allows for recreational angling and traditional fishing in designated areas. The park’s headquarters would be located in Gryfino.

Offshore – a backup mechanism

Another maritime point on the agenda is an amendment to the Offshore Wind Act. The draft introduces the option of a so-called “intervention auction” in 2026, should the 2025 auction fail due to insufficient bids. In addition, projects that already received support in the first, non-auction phase will be allowed to submit additional capacity – with a nationwide limit of 200 MW.

VAT – relief for importers and port operators

Also under discussion is an amendment to the VAT Act prepared by the ministries of finance and economy. As part of a broader deregulation package, the reform aligns Polish rules with EU customs procedures.

The change is of particular relevance to port operators, shipping agents and importers using simplified customs procedures. Under current law, if VAT is not settled within four months, companies lose the right to declare it in their tax return and must pay the tax in cash with interest. The new law removes this barrier, enabling VAT to be reported in declarations regardless of the timing of supplementary customs submissions.

This adjustment will ease cash-flow pressures on businesses handling imports through Polish ports, reducing the need to tie up working capital.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier