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**Summary:**

The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure is aiming to restore the dominant position of Polish shipping companies in the Baltic Sea. This initiative includes building new vessels and strengthening existing ferry operators. The move comes after a period where foreign competitors, utilizing newer ferries, have gained market share, leading to a decline in the competitiveness of Polish companies. The average age of Polish-owned vessels is currently 25 years. A new investment agreement has been signed, allocating 1.3 billion PLN to finance the construction of new ferries for Polish operators, with the first vessel expected to be ready by autumn 2024 and the following in 2026 and 2027. The ministry blames past decisions for the current situation and emphasizes the need for bold action to regain lost ground. Currently, Polish operators Unity Line and Polferries handle about a third of the Baltic ferry market. While specific market share data is confidential, the Port of Świnoujście saw significant cargo and passenger traffic in 2024.

**News Article:**

**Poland Aims to Regain Baltic Sea Shipping Dominance with New Ferries**

**WARSAW, Poland** – The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure has announced an ambitious plan to reclaim the dominant position of Polish shipping companies in the Baltic Sea. The initiative will focus on constructing new vessels and bolstering the strength of existing ferry operators in the face of increasing foreign competition.

“We are committed to restoring Polish carriers to their previously leading role in the Baltic,” stated Deputy Infrastructure Minister Arkadiusz Marchewka during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation on Tuesday.

Marchewka acknowledged that Polish ferry operators have lost market share in recent years due to aggressive competition from foreign companies deploying newer vessels. He noted the aging Polish fleet, with an average vessel age of 25 years, has contributed to this decline. He also criticized past decisions that allowed increased foreign competition in key ports like Świnoujście.

To address these challenges, the Ministry has secured a new investment agreement providing 1.3 billion PLN (approximately $330 million USD) for the construction of three new ferries for Unity Line. The first ferry is slated for completion in autumn 2024, with the subsequent vessels expected in 2026 and 2027.

“The situation we find ourselves in today is the result of poor decisions made 7-8 years ago,” Marchewka said. “But we will make up for lost time. These decisive steps have now been taken.”

While specific market share data remains confidential, it’s estimated that Unity Line and Polferries currently handle approximately one-third of the Baltic ferry market. The Port of Świnoujście, a key hub for Baltic ferry traffic, reported handling over 5.8 million tons of general cargo and over 433,000 trucks in 2024. Polferries also launched a new LNG-powered ship Varsovia in July 2024.

The ministry’s plan signals a renewed commitment to strengthening Poland’s maritime industry and securing its position in the competitive Baltic Sea shipping market.

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