Poland christens ro-pax ferry Bursztyn Unity in Szczecin on Independence Day. Ystad service starts 18 November

A bottle against the starboard side and a flag from the prime minister

The ceremony began at 11:00 on the Oder waterfront, where the ferry has been moored since Monday. The ship's godmother was Zofia Gałka, who has worked for Polish Steamship Company (PŻM) for several decades and heads the special-purpose companies responsible for building its new vessels. In keeping with maritime tradition, a bottle of champagne was broken against the ferry's starboard side.

The Polish flag was then raised on the ship's mast. Prime Minister Donald Tusk handed it to the ferry's master, Captain Wojciech Żukowski, and referred to the difficult week Poland has been through.

- Difficult days are behind us. Our entire history is made up of joyful days and difficult days, but on 11 November all hearts are white and red - said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Designed, built and operated in Poland

Bursztyn Unity is a ro-pax ferry for passengers and rolling cargo, built in Gdańsk by the Remontowa group. Her home port is Szczecin. Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak stressed the vessel's Polish origin.

- The ferry Bursztyn is a Polish design, built by Polish engineers in a Polish shipyard, and it will be operated by a Polish shipowner - said Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak.

Dariusz Klimczak added that there could be no better day than National Independence Day to raise the Polish flag on a new ship, and said he believed the ferry would make Poland's name known at sea.

- Our goal is for the Polish flag to be not only a symbol of pride in Poland, but also a symbol of a modern and competitive Polish maritime economy - Dariusz Klimczak added.

Part of Szczecin's Independence Day celebrations

The christening formed part of the West Pomeranian regional celebrations marking 108 years since Poland regained independence in 1918. Those gathered sang the national anthem, and honour units and colour parties were presented in front of the ferry, accompanied by an honour company and a military band.

Elsewhere in the city, the 16th Szczecin Independence March passed through the streets, alongside a run, a classic car parade, a family picnic, communal singing of patriotic songs and concerts.

More than 250 trucks, 400 passengers and under seven hours to Sweden

The ferry can carry more than 250 trucks and trailers and 400 passengers. On board are a cafeteria, a bar and a shop, and the crew numbers 50. The crossing from Świnoujście to Sweden takes just under seven hours.

Bursztyn Unity will remain in Szczecin for a few more days. Visitors with reservations can tour the ship on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday 14 November she will be open to the public free of charge. Regular sailings on the Świnoujście-Ystad route begin on 18 November, adding new Polish-flagged capacity on one of the busiest ferry links between Poland and Sweden.