Government officials framed the event as part of a broader effort to reassert Polish shipping interests on the Baltic Sea after years of losing ground to international rivals.
Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka made it clear that after a period of mismanagement and underinvestment, Poland wants its armators back at the top. “Our main goal is for Polish shipping companies to regain their competitive position on the Baltic,” he told reporters on Tuesday, alluding to a time when domestic operators called the shots in these waters.
The fresh launch marks progress on a contract signed in November 2021—an attempt to revive a project that fizzled in Szczecin back in 2017. The three-ferry order, placed by state-controlled Polskie Promy, aims to reverse setbacks that left Polish operators stuck with aging fleets while their neighbors unveiled bigger, greener, and more economical vessels. Two of these new ships will join Unity Line under the Polish Steamship Company (PŻM) umbrella, and the third will operate with Polska Żegluga Bałtycka.
Behind the scenes, this maritime reboot was anything but smooth sailing. Marchewka claimed that when he took office, Remontowa Shipyard had not been paid for nearly 10 months. He blamed prior decision-makers for setting unrealistic financial frameworks, forcing the yard and the shipowner into a near-stalemate as costs mounted and patience wore thin.
Adam Ruszkowski, CEO of Remontowa Holding, confirmed that the original financing plan—hatched under the previous administration—simply didn’t hold water. Long-delayed payments nearly halted production, prompting “heated discussions” with the new government. According to Ruszkowski, the crisis was resolved only after the new minister hammered out a workable funding strategy, giving the project “realistic business parameters.”
From a technical standpoint, the ferries signal a forward-looking approach. Each RoPax, designed for both passengers and cargo, will run on four liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, paired with battery support in a hybrid setup. Instead of traditional shafts and propellers, they feature two electric azimuth thrusters and bow thrusters, enabling nimble maneuvers in busy ports without tug assistance. With 4100 meters of lane space and room for 400 passengers plus 50 crew, these vessels promise efficient turnarounds and cost-effective operations on northern routes.
The first ferry, NB101, launched last year and is now undergoing system tests and trials. The second, NB102, just hit the water. Once kitted out with its superstructure and advanced equipment, it will join the first in a renewed fleet boasting top-tier European build quality—something Poles say will outclass lower-cost, shorter-lifespan vessels made in Asia.
(jh)
Source: PAP