On Wednesday, 8 October 2025, during the 23rd BALTEXPO International Maritime and Military Fair in Gdańsk, PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ Naval Shipyard), a part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), announced that it had signed an agreement with the German company Schottel, headquartered in Spay, Rhineland-Palatinate, for the delivery of azimuth thrusters for the new Polish rescue vessel codenamed Ratownik.
Photos: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, Schottel
According to the press release, the Ratownik rescue vessel being built by PGZ Naval Shipyard will be equipped with thrusters from Schottel – a manufacturer with more than 100 years of tradition in the maritime industry. The technical solutions offered by this proven supplier ensure maximum maneuverability in the most demanding operational conditions.
Azimuth Thrusters – Main Propulsion
The main propulsion consists of two Schottel EcoPeller SRE 560 azimuth thrusters, each rated at 2,650 kW. The rotating pod design allows for 180-degree steering without the need for traditional rudders. The thrusters provide high efficiency, compatibility with dynamic positioning systems, and low noise and vibration levels.
Bow Thrusters and Retractable Thruster
Two STT 3 bow thrusters (900 kW each) provide precise control during port maneuvers and rescue operations. The dual configuration enhances safety through redundancy.
The SRP 260 retractable thruster (880 kW) serves as an auxiliary or emergency propulsion unit. Hidden inside the hull during normal sailing, it can be used as an economical drive or as support for the dynamic positioning system.
Prepared for Harsh Conditions
All components of the system have been adapted for operation in demanding environments, including icy waters. The use of variable-speed engines and controllable-pitch propellers increases the vessel’s operational flexibility.
Marcin Ryngwelski, President of PGZ Naval Shipyard, said:
“On behalf of the Shipyard’s crew, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to the Polish Navy: our team of specialists is fully prepared to execute this investment, combining state-of-the-art technologies with our many years of experience.”
The German company has also become a subcontractor in another program carried out by PGZ Naval Shipyard. On 14 January of this year, it was announced that a contract had been signed for the delivery of STT 4 bow thrusters for three future Project 106 Miecznik multi-role missile frigates for the Polish Navy.
During BALTEXPO, PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is presenting an interactive 3D model of the Miecznik frigate, as well as traditional scale models depicting the Miecznik frigate, the corvette ORP Ślązak, and the Project 207 minehunters currently undergoing modernization at the shipyard.
The rescue vessel codenamed Ratownik was ordered by the Armament Agency on 27 December 2024. The value of the contract exceeds 1 billion PLN. The steel cutting is scheduled to take place within 12 months of the contract date, followed two months later by the keel laying. The vessel is to be launched in 2027, with delivery to the customer planned for 2029.
The ship will be based on the existing design No. 570-II, developed during an earlier attempt to implement the rescue vessel program by MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting Sp. z o.o. of Gdynia (internally designated as Project 887R).
As a result, the vessel’s principal parameters will be retained: it will have a displacement of around 6,500 tons, a length of nearly 100 meters (95.85 m in the original design) and a beam of 18.8 meters. The ship is expected to have a range of approximately 6,000 nautical miles, and its crew will consist of 100 personnel. Additionally, space has been allocated for 9 more people, bringing the total number of berths on board to 109. In the first stage of work, the design will be updated, although no major changes are planned.
Last year’s contract marks the third attempt to build a vessel of this class. The program to construct new rescue ships to replace the long-serving Project 570M vessels, ORP Piast and ORP Lech, both in service since 1974, was initiated in 2015.
See also
🤝 PGZ Stocznia Wojenna – @SCHOTTELGroup. Kolejne porozumienie zawarte na #BALTEXPO.
⚓️ Budowany przez PGZ Stocznię Wojenną okręt ratowniczy #Ratownik otrzyma zaawansowany system napędowy niemieckiej firmy Schottel – producenta z ponad 100-letnią tradycją w branży morskiej. pic.twitter.com/OwrVsaAdN2
— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) October 8, 2025