Szczecin. Prosecutor's investigation at the “Wulkan” shipyard

The notification of irregularities in the operation of the “Wulkan” shipyard and the possibility of a crime being committed by the company's managers in recent years was filed by the company's new management after a detailed audit. Prosecutor Alicja Macugowska-Kyszka from the District Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin informed that the proceedings are at an early stage.

– An investigation has been initiated into the cause of significant financial damage by persons who, pursuant to the agreement and regulations, dealt with the property matters of the company and its subsidiaries. business activity – said prosecutor Macugowska-Kyszka.

She explained that the proceedings are being conducted with the aim of causing significant property damage related to the abuse of power or failure to fulfil obligations, in connection with Article 12 of the Penal Code, which states that “two or more acts of conduct undertaken within short periods of time in the execution of a premeditated intention shall be considered as one prohibited act”.

Causing damage in economic transactions is punishable by imprisonment from three months to five years.

SEE ALSO: PiS activists dismissed from Szczecin shipyard. Deputy minister also announced “thorough audit”

Prosecutor Macugowska-Kyszka emphasized that the proceedings are currently being conducted “in the case”, and not against specific individuals managing the “Wulkan” shipyard. – The prosecutor is at the stage of collecting evidence – she explained. – The subject of the proceedings will be, among other things, determining the amount of property damage caused to the company – she added.

Radio ZET reported on the investigation into irregularities at the shipyard, for which the company's previous management is responsible. The audit conducted by the company's new management was to show “inappropriate and incompetent investments”. The financial loss in 2020-24 was to reach almost PLN 140 million.

This includes the construction of ferries in Polish shipyards for Polish shipowners. The only thing left of the ferry that was supposed to be built in Szczecin is the famous keel, which he tapped with a hammer in 2017. Mateusz Morawieckithen Minister of Development and Finance, and later Prime Minister. The keel cost over PLN 700,000, and later it was lying on the shipyard yard.

READ ALSO: PiS said it would be a symbol. The famous keel will become a work pontoon

The new board of the “Wulkan” shipyard assessed that its predecessors had failed to fulfill their obligations, among others, in estimating costs and supervising the investment, the aim of which was to build a huge floating dock for the “Gryfia” Marine Repair Yard in Szczecin. The contract for the construction of the dock, signed in 2020, provided for costs of over PLN 123 million, later it was reported as PLN 180 million. Those filing the notification to the prosecutor's office claim – as reported by Radio Zet – that the dock will cost “three times more than expected”.

The persons filing the notification to the prosecutor's office also drew attention to the unfavourable annex to the agreement with the Morska Stocznia Remontowa “Gryfia” from December 2022, which introduced high fees for using the depth and quay of “Gryfia”. They claim that in this way the company was exposed to losses of over PLN 35 million. Among the irregularities allegedly committed by the previous management of the “Wulkan” shipyard, it was indicated, among others, “lack of due diligence during the performance of the contract” and “careless preparation of documentation”.

The previous management board of Stocznia Szczecińska “Wulkan”, headed by president Marek Opowicz, was dismissed in February this year. Right after the appointment of a new supervisory board of the company. On March 27, it was announced that Radosław Kowalczyk would be the new president.