Ferry operator Unity Line has summarised the first month of service of the most modern ro-pax ferry on the Baltic Sea – Jantar Unity. The vessel, owned by Polska Żegluga Morska, sailed on her maiden commercial voyage on 20 January on the Świnoujście–Trelleborg route. She operates under the Polsca brand, created to unite Polish ferry carriers.

According to Unity Line, the first month of operations has been both intensive and satisfactory. The ferry runs daily, departing Poland during the day and arriving in Sweden in the evening. She sails back the same evening, returning to Świnoujście the following morning. To date, she has completed 22 round voyages on the route. During the first month, however, sailings from Świnoujście were also cancelled on several occasions due to severe winter weather and storms in the Baltic.

“The first month of operations has confirmed that Jantar Unity has integrated very well into our operational system and meets the needs of the Baltic ferry market. The results achieved demonstrate strong confidence among our transport partners and the stability of the service. This is only the beginning – the vessel will become one of the pillars of our route network,” said Katarzyna Antoń, Marketing Manager at Unity Line.

“The first month of operations has confirmed that Jantar Unity has integrated very well into our operational system and meets the needs of the Baltic ferry market. The results achieved demonstrate strong confidence among our transport partners and the stability of the service. This is only the beginning – the vessel will become one of the pillars of our route network,” said Katarzyna Antoń, Marketing Manager at Unity Line.

Since 20 January, Jantar Unity has carried 107 passengers and 60 passenger cars. Significantly stronger results were recorded in freight transport. Over the course of the month, the ferry transported 3,341 heavy goods vehicle combinations, 184 short vehicles, 392 semi-trailers and three long vehicles. In total, she handled 63,734 lane metres of cargo and 50,591 tonnes of freight. A total of 3,626 HGV drivers used the service.

Jantar Unity was designed by Marine Design & Consulting and built at Remontowa Shipbuilding, both part of the Remontowa Holding. The contract covers three identical vessels for Polish operators: Polska Żegluga Morska with Unity Line, and Polska Żegluga Morska with Polferries. Although the second sister vessel, already launched in Gdańsk, was originally intended for Polferries, it is now confirmed that she will be named Bursztyn Unity, indicating that Unity Line will also take delivery of this unit.

The ferry measures 195.6 metres in length, with a maximum beam of 32.2 metres and a draught of 6.3 metres. She is capable of speeds of up to 19 knots, though she operates commercially at around 14 knots. Her cargo lane capacity totals 4,100 metres, allowing for the carriage of approximately 270 HGV combinations.

Jantar Unity is equipped with LNG propulsion supported by a hybrid battery system, as well as azimuth thrusters and bow thrusters enhancing manoeuvrability and port safety. These solutions reduce emissions and noise while improving passenger comfort, setting a new benchmark for ferry operations in the Baltic Sea.

On board there are 188 two-berth cabins, eight two-berth De Luxe cabins, four cabins adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, and 75 reclining airline-style seats. The vessel can accommodate up to 400 passengers and 50 crew members.

Following her launch in Gdańsk, Jantar Unity sailed to Sweden for berthing trials in Trelleborg and Ystad, which she successfully completed on 15 January. On 17 January, a formal naming ceremony was held at Wały Chrobrego in Szczecin, attended by national and regional authorities and watched by thousands of visitors. The ferry was opened to the public during the event.

“The ferry has now entered full operational rhythm, fulfilling her role of providing safe and regular links between Poland and Sweden while enhancing the operator’s freight capacity on one of Northern Europe’s key transport corridors. The company thanks its cargo partners, passengers and the entire team for their trust and for the successful launch of the new vessel,” Unity Line said in a statement.