The Port of Darlowo is strengthening its role in Poland’s offshore wind sector as two infrastructure projects financed under the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO) approach completion.

The investments are focused on improving navigational safety and upgrading the port’s hydrotechnical infrastructure, while creating the conditions for Dar?owo to serve as a service base for offshore wind farms developing in the Baltic Sea.

“Both investments demonstrate how effectively we are using funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to strengthen Poland’s maritime economy,” said Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka. According to the minister, the modernisation of port and hydrotechnical infrastructure will improve navigational safety, increase the port’s competitiveness and create conditions for the development of offshore wind energy.

PLN 130 million breakwater reconstruction

The first project is being carried out by the Maritime Office in Szczecin and focuses on the reconstruction of Dar?owo’s western breakwater and improvements to wave conditions inside the harbour basin.

The project, valued at approximately PLN 130 million, includes the reconstruction of an approximately 356.5-metre western breakwater and the construction of a new 100-metre spur alongside it, together with associated infrastructure.

The works are intended to restore the breakwater to an appropriate technical condition, protect it against erosion and reduce the impact of waves inside the outer harbour.

According to the authorities, the upgraded infrastructure will improve conditions for the safe entry of cargo vessels, tourist vessels and units servicing offshore wind farms.

New cargo quay prepares Darlowo for offshore wind

The second project is being carried out by the City of Darlowo and is also nearing completion. The investment, titled “Modernisation and expansion of hydrotechnical structures in the Port of Darlowo for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind installations”, has a value of more than PLN 44 million.

The project is designed to prepare the port to perform a new strategic role as a service base for the offshore wind energy sector developing in the Baltic Sea.

As part of the works, nearly 400 metres of existing quays — the Southern, Gdynia and Szczecin Quays — have been modernised. These structures have been functionally integrated with a new 229-metre cargo quay, which is designed, among other purposes, to handle specialised service vessels operating in the offshore wind sector.

The new quay is accompanied by nearly 8 hectares of land, providing space for activities related to the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

The project has also included the construction of an internal road and a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Grabowa River.

Strengthening Darlowo’s role in the Baltic offshore wind sector

The two investments form part of broader efforts to develop Poland’s offshore wind sector and strengthen the capacity of the country’s seaports to support the industry.

With the modernisation of its infrastructure, Darlowo is positioning itself as a future service base for offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, while continuing to maintain and develop its existing commercial, fishing and tourism functions.

The projects therefore combine improvements to port infrastructure and navigational safety with preparations for the emerging offshore wind industry, expanding the range of activities that the Port of Darlowo can support.