Donbas sails for Gdynia

Representatives of steelmaker Donbas have met with state officials to talk about the restructuring of Stocznia Gdynia. "We have said many times that we were interested in the shipyard industry. We want to analyze the program of capital increase of the company and what it would result in. After we check the situation, we will make a final decision," Donbas' representative in Poland, Konstanty Litvinov, said. The Ukrainian company was scheduled make the decision last week, but as WBJ went to print, no offer had yet been presented.

Any deal with Donbas could be advantageous to the Gdynia Shipyard. The Ukrainian company, which owns Huta Częstochowa, delivers flat steel used to build ships. "Its potential investment might result in a long-term cooperation," the head of the Stocznia Gdynia Solidarność trade union and member of the shipyard's supervisory board, Dariusz Adamski, said. He also expressed the hope that as a result of the deal the shipyard could get materials from its potential investor at a lower price. 

The shipyard has sent invitations to 80 companies to submit letters of intent. The company plans to gain zł.300 million from the new investor.

The restructuring of Stocznia Gdynia will mean that the Gdańsk shipyard - the legendary cradle of the Solidarity movement, currently owned by Stocznia Gdynia - is up for grabs. A consortium of state-owned companies has expressed interest in buying Stocznia Gdańska. The entities would acquire shares by conversion of the shipyard's debts into shares. Thereafter, it has been rumored that the famous businessman Roman Karkosik could enter the consortium and help raise the company's capital.