Poland’s PM announces new Świnoujście-Sweden ferry, criticizes opposition for nearly sinking the project.
Tusk on the Jantar Unity Ferry
On Saturday, January 17, Prime Minister Donald Tusk unveiled Poland’s most advanced ro-pax ferry, Jantar Unity. He confirmed it will sail from Świnoujście to Swedish ports Trelleborg and Ystad. Tusk highlighted its capacity for 400 passengers, length equivalent to two football pitches, and Polish construction at Gdańska Stocznia Remontowa.
Tusk Lists PiS Errors
Tusk then criticized the previous PiS government. “Remember Morawiecki’s famous rusting keel?” he asked, implying the project could have ended similarly. He stated their administration nearly sank the venture in debt, while his government allocated over PLN 1 billion to rescue it, repay debts, complete construction, and create a viable business plan to restore Poland’s Baltic dominance.
PiS Claims Success
Former Maritime Economy Minister Marek Gróbarczyk (PiS, 2015-2021) responded on Friday, mocking: “You laughed at the keel, now look.” He reminded that the project originated under PiS. “Tusk must be eating his words,” Gróbarczyk added. The keel-laying ceremony on June 23, 2017, in Szczecin, attended by Gróbarczyk and then-Vice Premier Morawiecki, symbolized rebuilding shipbuilding in the former Szczecin Shipyard area.