The new Bursztyn Unity ferry is now 99% complete and is undergoing its final acceptance procedures ahead of sea trials. Final painting of the hull and the application of the large-format POLSCA logo are currently underway. Once these works are completed, the vessel will be prepared for sea trials scheduled to take place between late August and early September.

Until yesterday, Bursztyn Unity remained in dry dock, where the final works on the underwater section of the hull were carried out. Contractors completed painting of the vessel’s external surfaces and renewed the anti-fouling coating on the bottom of the ship.

One of the most visually striking stages of the project is the application of the POLSCA branding on the ferry’s hull. The scale of the markings is impressive, with the tallest letter reaching as much as 16 metres in height. Producing a logo of this size requires a highly precise, multi-stage process. Surveyors first accurately mark the outlines of each letter on the hull. The surface is then masked with specialist tape to define the lettering and ensure perfectly sharp edges. The letters are subsequently painted, and once the work is completed, the masking is removed, revealing the finished logo, which has become one of the vessel’s most distinctive features.

The vessel is now being moved to the outfitting berth, where it will undergo weighing, an inclining experiment and final preparations for sea trials, scheduled to take place between 31 August and 7 September. This will be one of the most important milestones before the ferry is handed over to the shipowner.

During the trials, the vessel’s technical performance and the operation of its key onboard systems will be tested under conditions closely resembling normal service. Construction work has now been virtually completed. Following the sea trials, only minor adjustments resulting from the test programme are expected to be required before delivery.

The handover of Bursztyn Unity to the shipowner is scheduled for mid-October. The final delivery date will depend on the outcome of the sea trials. If the tests are completed without any major issues, the vessel will be able to enter the next chapter of its service in line with the planned schedule.

“The construction and introduction of successive ferries into service form part of our long-term strategy for developing the Polish ferry fleet. Bursztyn, like Jantar before her, is an example of investment in modern, safe and more efficient vessels designed to meet the expectations of passengers and the evolving demands of the Baltic transport market. We are expanding our fleet in a structured and long-term manner, creating a solid foundation for the future of the Polish ferry sector,” said Paweł Pluto-Prądzyński, President of the Management Board of POLSCA Baltic Ferries.

Bursztyn Unity is a sister ship to Jantar Unity, which has been operating regular services on the Baltic Sea since January this year. Together, the two vessels represent an important step in the renewal of the Polish ferry fleet. They are modern passenger and ro-ro ferries designed with a strong focus on safety, passenger comfort and operational efficiency.

The fleet will continue to expand in the coming years. In 2029, Amber Unity will join Jantar Unity and Bursztyn Unity, completing the new series of modern ferries intended to serve routes across the Baltic Sea.

Photos: Portal Morski and POLSCA press release