INSPIRED BY
JOSEPH CONRAD KORZENIOWSKI
The shipyard site was named after Polish-British writer Joseph Conrad, thus the name Conrad Shipyard. The site was first established in 1942 in partnership with the German company “Boots- und Yachtwerft Friedrich Kropp Danzig Heubude.” Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski; 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) is regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language. His stories were inspired by his native Poland’s national experiences and his travels as captain in the British merchant marine. Up to this day, his stories are part of local shipbuilding folklore.
maritime
tradition
Gdansk has deeply rooted maritime traditions and a long-standing naval history. Since its founding in the 10th century by Polish ruler Mieszko and during the time as part of the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights in the 15th century, Gdansk has historically been a vital naval city for Polish grain trade, attracting people from all over the European continent. Having overcome a challenging history, Poland has come a long way, and today we are proud to say that we build some of the finest luxury yachts in the world.
FOUNDING
SHIPYARD SITE
1942
Founded in partnership with German “Boots- und Yachtwerft Friedrich Kropp Danzig Heubude” in 1942, the Conrad site would go through several evolutions, at different times building commercial fishing boats, barges, or composite sailing boats. Usually, as a subcontractor to German or Norwegian companies, the intent was always to export.
FIRST SHIP
AFTER WWII
1948
While not in relationship with the Conrad site, the SS Sołdek was the first ship built in Poland after World War II and also the first seagoing ship completed in Poland. Today she is located in the heart of the old town of Gdansk, preserved as a museum ship as part of the National Maritime Museum collection.
LECH WAŁĘSA
SOLIDARNOŚĆ
1989
Lech Wałęsa co-founded and headed the Gdansk Shipyard trade union Solidarity (Solidarność), the Soviet bloc’s first independent trade union. In 1989 it sparked the end of the Iron Curtain, and for Poland, it was the start of a new beginning. For his efforts, Lech Wałeśa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and he served as President of Poland from 1990 to 1995. He lives in the city of Gdansk to this day.
FOUNDING
MARINE PROJECTS LTD.
1989
Marine Projects Ltd. was founded initially as an engineering company for the maritime industry and later expanded into production. While Engineering is still of highest importance to this day, during the years, Marine Projects Ltd. has been developing and expanding its scope of production. Today our main activities include turnkey complete ship construction, the building of fully outfitted superstructures, as well as partly outfitted hulls and hull blocks.
FIRST
YACHT
1993
In 1993 Marine Projects Ltd. co-built a 200-foot brigantine with sophisticated finishing, sailing under the name “Swan Fan Makkum.” It was the first step into yacht production.
ESCAPE S
THE BEGINNING
2003
In 2002 Marine Projects Ltd. was commissioned by an American client to build a custom 27-meter luxurious motor yacht designed by renowned naval architect Bill Dixon. In 2003 Marine Projects Ltd. decided to establish Conrad Joint Stock Company, a new company solely for the production of large luxury yachts, both motor and sailing, specializing in steel and aluminum. Escape S was successfully launched in 2005.