Jantar Unity ready for service. Is it time for the Polish flag?

A ceremonial christening of the ferry Jantar Unity has taken place in Szczecin. Built at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdańsk, the vessel is the largest and most technologically advanced ferry in service for a Polish operator, though unfortunately flying the Cypriot flag, and represents a key element in the modernisation of Poland’s ferry fleet.

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17 january 2026 | 19:41 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Szczecin Floating Garden

The ceremony held at Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin symbolically concluded a multi-year process behind one of the most important investments in Polish ferry shipping. Jantar Unity will soon commence regular operations on the southern Baltic, serving connections between Poland and Scandinavia.

Christening ceremony in Szczecin

The christening brought together representatives of public administration, maritime authorities, the shipowner, and services responsible for navigational safety. Throughout the day, the ferry remained visible from the Wały Chrobrego waterfront, becoming one of the most recognisable elements of the city’s port panorama.

The ceremony formally confirmed the vessel’s readiness to enter service following the completion of technical acceptance procedures and sea trials.

From launch to operational readiness

Jantar Unity was launched in 2024 at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdańsk. Following launch, the vessel underwent an intensive outfitting phase, systems integration, and sea trials conducted in the Baltic Sea.

The trials covered, among others, the LNG propulsion system, manoeuvring systems, safety installations, as well as solutions dedicated to passenger services and cargo transport. The process culminated in the January christening in Szczecin and final preparations for regular line operation.

The Batory programme as the foundation of fleet modernisation

The construction of Jantar Unity was carried out under the Batory programme, aimed at rebuilding and modernising Poland’s ferry fleet. The programme responds to key market challenges, including rising environmental requirements, the need to increase transport capacity, and maintaining the competitiveness of Polish operators in the Baltic Sea region.

The project demonstrates the importance of continuity and stability in the maritime sector, where investments are planned over multi-year horizons and require close cooperation between public administration, the shipbuilding industry, and shipowners.

Unity Line as a ferry operator on the southern Baltic

The vessel is owned by Unity Line, an experienced ferry operator operating within the structure of the Polish Steamship Company. For many years, the company has provided regular ferry connections between Poland and Scandinavia, serving both passenger traffic and freight transport.

The introduction of a new vessel of this class will allow Unity Line to increase transport capacity, improve operational efficiency, and better align its offer with the requirements of the logistics and passenger markets.

POLSCA as systemic support for fleet development

The new ferry projects are being implemented in the context of cooperation between ferry operators within POLSCA Baltic Ferries, a new entity established in 2025 by Polferries, Unity Line, and EuroAfrica Shipping Lines. POLSCA is a strategic operational partnership aimed at strengthening the position of Polish carriers in the Baltic passenger and freight market.

POLSCA Baltic Ferries operates as a fleet and operations management entity for all vessels covered by the partnership. Its tasks include coordinating joint investments, harmonising route networks, standardising service quality, and increasing operational efficiency and competitiveness vis-à-vis German and Scandinavian operators.

Jantar Unity is one of the first and most visible results of this cooperation model, which is intended to support the development of a modern, environmentally friendly fleet and expand transport services between Poland and Scandinavia.

A new generation ro-pax ferry

Jantar Unity is a ro-pax ferry designed for intensive liner service and compliance with current and future environmental requirements. The LNG propulsion system, advanced manoeuvring solutions, and energy-efficiency measures reduce emissions and operating costs.

The vessel offers a high standard for passengers, significant flexibility in cargo transport, and safety levels compliant with the latest international regulations.

The significance of Jantar Unity for Polish ferry shipping

The entry into service of Jantar Unity represents an important step in the development of Polish ferry shipping and strengthens transport capacity on the southern Baltic. The vessel confirms the capability of Polish shipyards, shipowners, and institutions to deliver modern fleet projects meeting European standards.

Registration and flag. Why Cyprus

Although Jantar Unity was built in a Polish shipyard and will operate on Baltic routes, it is formally registered under the Cypriot flag, with Limassol as its home port.

The decision to register the vessel under the Cypriot flag reflects common practices in international shipping, including optimisation of operating costs, legal and insurance requirements, and the specific nature of cross-border ferry operations. Registration under the flag of an EU member state also facilitates efficient operation on international routes.

The Polish flag as a matter of national interest

The christening of Jantar Unity is not only a celebration of a modern vessel, but also proof that strategic fleet projects can be delivered beyond political divisions. The Batory programme, initiated by the former PiS government to rebuild and modernise the Polish ferry fleet, has been consistently completed by the current KO-led government and brought to the operational stage, a rare example of effective continuation of long-term state investments.

At the same time, Jantar Unity highlights the challenges still facing Polish ferry shipping. Despite being built in Poland and operating in the Baltic region, the vessel sails under a foreign flag, reflecting the need for legal, financial, and regulatory changes that would allow Polish shipowners to operate vessels efficiently under the Polish flag.

The Batory programme and the success of Jantar Unity raise questions about the future of the fleet, including how subsequent ferry orders will be shaped, what support mechanisms for shipowners and the domestic market will be introduced, and how to ensure that future vessels further strengthen Poland’s maritime presence in the Baltic.

Jantar Unity thus stands as a symbol of modern Polish engineering and effective cooperation between the state and shipowners, while also serving as a reminder that further systemic, regulatory, and strategic actions are required to fully reinforce the sector.