Ship Sołdek, Gdansk

The SS Sołdek, a significant historical vessel, is a retired Polish coal and ore freighter with the distinction of being the first ship constructed in Gdańsk after World War II. As the pioneering seagoing ship completed in Poland, Sołdek marked a new era in the country's maritime history. Built between 1949 and 1954, she was the initial vessel of the 29 ships in the Project B30 series, all constructed at the Gdańsk Shipyard. The ship's name honors Stanisław Sołdek, a distinguished worker of the shipyard, known for his exceptional productivity and dedication.

The ship is often mistakenly identified as the SS Oliwa, another cargo ship with a distinct history. SS Oliwa, originally an unfinished Hansa A type cargo ship, was initially constructed in 1944. Left incomplete by the Germans at a slipway in Szczecin during the war, it was later seized by Poland. The hull of the SS Oliwa was finished and the ship was launched as Oliwa, but was subsequently renamed and entered service in 1951 as Marchlewski, operating under the Polish Ocean Lines.

The SS Sołdek now serves as a museum ship in Gdańsk, forming part of the National Maritime Museum's collection. This preservation allows visitors to explore a piece of Polish maritime history firsthand. Additionally, the ship gained a measure of fame in the film industry, featuring in the movie "Persona Non Grata" as a Japanese steamer that transported Jews from Vladivostok to Tsuraga. This appearance further cements the SS Sołdek's place not only in maritime history but also in cultural memory.