The Polish ferry Jantar Unity
, the country’s largest domestic ferry, has completed its first month of service on the Baltic Sea route connecting Świnoujście, Poland, with Trelleborg, Sweden. While passenger numbers have been modest, the vessel has quickly become a key conduit for freight transport, particularly for trucking companies.
According to Unity Line, the operator of the Jantar Unity
, the ferry carried 107 private passengers and 60 passenger cars during its first month of operation. However, the vessel was primarily designed for heavy freight and it has exceeded expectations in that regard. Over the same period, it transported over 3,300 large truck combinations, 184 shorter vehicles, and 392 semi-trailers. Crucially, the ferry also carried over 3,600 truck drivers.
The launch of the Jantar Unity
represents a significant investment in Poland’s maritime infrastructure. The Polish government supported the project with one billion zlotys under the Polish Sea programme, as noted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X (formerly Twitter). The vessel, 195.6 meters long and 32.2 meters wide, is capable of carrying 400 passengers and traveling at a maximum speed of 19 knots. Its cargo lane length of 4.1 km is equivalent to the length of the vehicles it can carry lined up end-to-end.
Katarzyna Antoń, Marketing Manager at Unity Line, stated in an interview with Radio Szczecin that the initial results show great confidence from transport partners and the stability of the connection.
She added that the vessel completed 22 round trips between Świnoujście and Trelleborg during its first month of service.
The Jantar Unity
is positioned as a modern and environmentally conscious vessel. It’s powered by four liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, supported by a battery system, creating a hybrid solution designed to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides. This aligns with growing environmental concerns within the shipping industry and increasing pressure to adopt cleaner technologies.
Built between 2022 and 2025 at the Gdańsk Ship Repair Yard Remontowa
, the Jantar Unity
is considered the most modern vessel of its type on the Baltic Sea. Unity Line anticipates further expansion of its fleet with the arrival of the Bursztyn Unity
in the second half of 2026, further bolstering its capacity on the Baltic routes.
The ferry route takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete. Unity Line offers passengers cabin accommodations described as equivalent to a three- or four-star hotel
, with ticket prices starting from 95 złoty. However, passengers also have the option of traveling in airline-style
seats for a more economical fare.
The success of the Jantar Unity
in attracting freight traffic underscores the continued importance of ferry services for transporting goods to Scandinavia from the rest of the European continent. While passenger numbers are currently lower, the operator anticipates growth as awareness of the new service increases and travel restrictions ease. The vessel’s capacity to carry 270 trucks highlights its potential to alleviate pressure on other transport routes and contribute to more efficient supply chains.
The launch of the Jantar Unity
is not occurring in isolation. Brittany Ferries is currently reshuffling its fleet for dry-docking during the winter months, demonstrating the ongoing need for maintenance and upgrades within the ferry industry. Recent severe winter weather in the Baltic Sea caused ice to trap a ferry off the Polish coast in January 2026, necessitating a rescue operation and highlighting the challenges of operating in harsh conditions.
Unity Line’s assessment of the first month of operation as an intensive operational period and a very good start
suggests a positive outlook for the Jantar Unity
. The vessel’s performance will be closely watched by industry observers as it establishes itself as a key player in Baltic Sea transport.
