Gdynia Maritime University GMU

On 7 to 9 October 2025, the third International Maritime and Military Trade Fair – BALTEXPO 2025, a key event for the maritime sector in the Baltic region, took place in Gdańsk. Taking part in the Trade Fair were university representatives, led by HM The Rector, Professor Adam Weintrit.

Present at the event's opening ceremony in Gdańsk were: Arkadiusz Marchewka, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure, Stanisław Wziątek, Deputy State Secretary – Ministry of Defence, Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Major of Gdańsk. In their speeches, representatives of national and local authorities addressed issues including security, regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, and investments in the maritime industry and defence.

One of the key events of the Trade Fair was a round table meeting on the development of personnel for the maritime sector, participated in by representatives of institutions of higher education, vocational training centres, port and shipyard companies and organisations representing the maritime sector. Taking part in the panel as part of Education, Work, and Career day was HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit. During the discussion, the Rector highlighted the fact that higher education centres increasingly need to compensate for deficiencies in students' secondary education.

The new technologies utilised in the maritime industry require a solid grounding in maths and physics, whilst first-year university students are increasingly less well prepared by schools in these subjects. Physics, for example, is taught at many schools for only an hour a week. It's highly unlikely that students will have such a level of preparation will be ready for studies in engineering.

The panel's participants concluded that a lack of qualified personnel is holding back the growth of the sector, which is currently facing an array of demographical, educational, and reputational challenges. The experts indicate a solution in systematic, coordinated actions based on dialogue, in which schools, universities, companies, and local authorities will all play a part.

This year's fair showcased the most important sectors of the maritime industry: shipbuilding, port operations, defence, as well as innovation and startups. Nearly 300 companies from Poland and abroad presented themselves in the exhibition halls. During the event, Gdynia Maritime University also hosted its own exhibition stands, where representatives presented the University's educational offer as well as its services for business.

The event programme for BALTEXPO 2025 included Security Day - Baltic Ports Conference. The event also saw the annual Golden Anchors Awards ceremony.