The starting ceremony has been attended, inter alia by Czesław Mroczek, Deputy Minister of Defence of Poland. The role of the keel has been played by the D5 section of the vessel, which is a location for the auxiliary power room and fuel tanks (double bottom). The vessel is being constructed by a consortium, which, besides the Gdansk Shipyard, also includes the Navy Shipyard which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings and OBR Naval Technology Center, which is also located in Gdynia.

On 23 September last year the consortium has signed a contract with the Armament Inspectorate. The agreement value is ca. PLN 1.2 billion, and it aims at realizing the development works regarding the design and construction of a prototype minehunter, which is to be transferred to the Navy in November 2016. The Agreement also includes an option of creating two subsequent vessels which would enter service in 2019 and 2022, on condition that the prototype would be accepted.

Kormoran II minehunter is made out of anti-magnetic steel, imported from France. The buoyancy of the vessel – 850 tonnes; dimensions: 58.50 x 10.30 x 9.75 m; maximum speed – at least 15 knots. The ship is going to be powered by 2 diesel engines with 2 Voith Schneider cycloidal propellers. The vessel will be boarded by a crew of 45 with additional 6 spare places.

(AN)