Świnoujście - Malmö. Finnlines has established a new daily maritime connection between Sweden and Poland.

Finnlines, part of the Grimaldi Group, entered the Polish market in 1998 and has operated under the Finnlines brand since 2007. The company currently operates two routes from Poland to Sweden: a daily Świnoujście-Malmö service and a Gdynia-Hanko route three times a week. Tuomas met with Rafał Kwapisz, CEO of Finnlines Poland, to discuss the sea logistics market.

Congratulations on launching the Świnoujście-Malmö route this year. It is very impressive. Could you tell us more about it?

Thank you. After seven years of hard work, we successfully launched the route to Sweden and are now operating the Świnoujście-Malmö route daily. This is a new concept for us, as passenger traffic has become part of our strategy. The market response has been positive.

The process of securing permissions took some time to overcome. What were the biggest challenges and barriers you faced?

We started to plan this route in 2017 and applied several times for permission to operate from a publicly owned terminal in Świnoujście. Unfortunately, each time we were blocked by the authorities, who found one reason or another to deny us access, claiming there was no room for Finnlines at the terminal. 

What have you found were the main causes of the obstacles you faced?

The challenges we encountered mainly originated from the policy of the previous Ministry of Infrastructure, which focused on protecting state-owned carriers. This didn't just apply to local issues in Szczecin or Świnoujście. Let’s say it was purely a political issue.

In terms of politics, did the change of government have any significant effect on your ability to open this new route? What has changed in this respect?

The new government introduced significant changes that enabled us to start operating from a private terminal. We now operate from Euroterminal, which is owned by a Norwegian company that has invested in port infrastructure. As a result, we can proudly say that the new route has been successfully launched and we are gaining recognition on this market.

Wow, that's a really interesting story! The Gdynia-Hanko route is a traditional part of your business. What types of cargo do you typically carry on this route? 

We operate a roll-on/roll-off vessel with trailers making up about 75% of the cargo. An important part of our business is long-term clients from Finland who transport paper products to Poland. We also transport tractors, machinery and liquid goods. From Poland, we mostly ship machinery, steel and steel products. Trade is relatively balanced in both directions.

Do you have any plans to expand your network with new connections in Poland?

We’re currently exploring ways to expand our network, including connections to Western European ports such as the UK, Belgium, and Spain, while also developing our global reach. As a sea connection, we aim to play a crucial role in helping reduce our clients' carbon emissions. We view Poland as a very important part of our strategy, a place for growth and we are pleased with the progress we are making here!

Can you tell us more about Finnlines' approach to sustainability? What is the strategy regarding emissions and biofuels?

At a practical level, our approach varies depending on the vessels we operate. For instance, we achieve zero emissions in port by utilizing energy from solar panel-based storage systems and we are committed to incorporating innovative technologies. As part of our sustainability efforts, we are also introducing biofuels, aiming for significant reductions in emissions and carbon neutrality. At a group level, we recently completed a €500 million investment plan that includes the construction of five new vessels for Finnlines.

Are there other trends shaping the market in Poland and in general?

First of all, vessels are getting bigger and wider, which means that the infrastructure at Polish ports must be improved. For example, when the width grows from 27m to 34m, ramps and terminals need to be adapted. At a European level, we note the importance of economies of scale. Clients are no longer focused on one particular area; they are joining forces, as seen with takeovers like DSV and Schenker. We often find that we have many of the same clients in our Mediterranean services as we do in the Baltics. Our focus is on building strong relationships with them to improve our services. As for economic trends, we’re definitely hoping to see a rebound in growth soon.

Back to the Gdynia-Hanko route, are your ships able to carry cars, vans, and passengers?

Yes, traveling with us is possible! We offer the option of taking several passengers, although you must be prepared to spend 20 hours at sea on a cargo ship. By law, we can accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers, for whom we provide comfortable cabins, beds, and meals. Unfortunately, we only offer reservations by phone, not online, but I can reassure passengers that time flies when you’re on board!

Thank you for the interesting conversation. We look forward to Finnlines' future connections!

Thank you too!