Gdańsk - Karlshamn - new ferry connection on the Baltic Sea!

Gdańsk – Karlshamn - another step in the development of maritime transport in the Baltic Sea!

The network of ferry connections between Poland and Sweden will soon be expanded with a new strategic route. Port of Gdańsk and Port of Karlshamn, in cooperation with Polish Baltic Shipping (Polferries), have signed an agreement to launch a new ferry service on the Gdańsk – Karlshamn route. The project is being implemented under the POLSCA Baltic Ferries initiative and represents an important milestone in the development of maritime transport in the Baltic Sea region.

The agreement, signed on 3 February 2026, has been concluded for a minimum period of three years and provides for close cooperation between the parties in the development and operation of the new connection. The first regular sailings are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Karlshamn to accommodate ferries operating on this route.

Clear assumptions and a regular schedule

The new route has been designed primarily with freight transport in mind, responding to the growing needs of road hauliers and logistics operators. At the same time, the service will also be available to passengers, offering an attractive alternative for travel to southern Sweden.

Key features of the connection include:

• crossing time: approximately 13 hours,
• frequency: 6 sailings per week,
• schedule: evening departures from both Gdańsk and Karlshamn with morning arrivals at the ports,
• route profile: mainly the transport of trucks and trailers, with passenger transport as a complementary service.

Modern vessels and high cargo capacity

The Gdańsk – Karlshamn service will be operated by two modern ferries with a combined lane length of approximately 2 kilometres. Each vessel will be capable of carrying around 90 heavy goods vehicles with a length of 17 metres per sailing.

One of the vessels will be dedicated primarily to freight transport, while the other will be a ro-pax ferry, offering comfortable travel conditions for passengers, including cabins and onboard catering facilities.

Strengthening the offer and boosting regional trade

The new ferry connection will complement existing services operated by Polish ferry operators, such as Świnoujście – Ystad, Świnoujście – Trelleborg, and Gdańsk – Nynäshamn. This expansion will increase flexibility and create additional opportunities for road carriers and logistics companies operating between Poland and Scandinavia.

At the Port of Gdańsk, ferries will be handled at the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal, which is fully equipped for modern ro-ro and ro-pax operations and ensures efficient handling of heavy vehicle traffic.

The launch of the Gdańsk – Karlshamn ferry connection not only strengthens Polish–Swedish cooperation but also provides a tangible boost to trade, logistics, and intermodal transport in the Baltic Sea region. The new route forms part of a long-term strategy to diversify transport corridors and enhance the role of the Port of Gdańsk as a key logistics hub in Central and Eastern Europe.

SOURCE:
[PORT OF GDAŃSK]