A handover ceremony for the new lake vessel mv Polsteam Wełtyń — the eighth and final ship in this series — took place today at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) shipyard in China.

During the ceremony, the vessel was also christened. Its Godmother was Mrs. Małgorzata Orłowska, who has been associated with Unity Line for many years.

The vessel completed its sea trials in September, ahead of delivery to the owner. The mv Polsteam Wełtyń will embark on its maiden voyage under the command of Captain Sergiusz Zinger. The ship will sail to Nantong to load fertilizers, after which it will head on a long voyage to Mexico.

In July this year, PŻM’s fleet was joined by the vessel’s sister ship — Polsteam Ińsko. Cooperation with Chinese shipyards is strategic in nature — the Polish shipowner has announced that this is not the end of their collaboration, as the delivery of four more vessels with “methanol-ready” capability is planned for next year.

All vessels ordered by PŻM sail under the Madeira flag. Their dimensions — 200 metres in length and up to 24 metres in width — are crucial due to the specific requirements of the trade, especially the ports they are intended to serve.

Located on the border between Canada and the United States, the so-called Great American Lakes have ports serviced by oceangoing ships, which, due to the canals and locks connecting these waters with the ocean, must be able to navigate them freely. Such vessels are commonly referred to as “lakers.” Those belonging to PŻM regularly operate between the Great Lakes and China, transporting, among other cargoes, steel from Chinese steel mills.