Finnlines recognized in Poland for strengthening Baltic connectivity

The growing significance of the maritime links to and from Poland operated by the Grimaldi Group company Finnlines is reflected by recent developments and recognition within the wider Polish maritime community. This includes the Amber Egg Award received in Gdynia for Finnlines’ successful expansion of services in the Baltic Sea region and ongoing dialogue with the Italian Embassy in Poland.

Recognition from the Polish maritime community

Finnlines has been operating between Poland and Finland for over 30 years. In 2024 it launched a new freight and passenger service between Świnoujście (Poland) and Malmö (Sweden). The expansion confirms the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening Poland’s maritime links and its strategic role within the Grimaldi Group’s network.

This growing contribution to the country’s maritime connectivity was recently recognized by the National Chamber of Maritime Economy. During the 25^th Joint Duck Meeting, held in Gdynia in October, Finnlines received the Amber Egg Award for the successful launch of its Świnoujście–Malmö ro-pax service.

The award was presented by Dorota Pyć, President of the Chamber and President of the Board of the Port of Gdańsk Authority, together with Arkadiusz Marchewka, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure responsible for Maritime Economy, and collected by Rafał Kwapisz, Managing Director of Finnlines Polska. This was the second such accolade for Finnlines, which also received the Amber Duck Award in 2010 for introducing the Gdynia–Helsinki–Travemünde/Rostock ro-pax connection the previous year.

Strengthening ties with Poland

As part of an ongoing dialogue, on 4 November in Warsaw, Antonio Raimo — Line Manager at Finnlines and Managing Director of Rederi AB Nordö-Link (Finnlines’ Swedish subsidiary) — met with representatives of the Italian Embassy in Poland to discuss the company’s growing operations and investments in the country.

“Our new investments have enabled us to expand our presence in Poland with additional offices and larger local teams,” explained Antonio Raimo. “We are pleased to further strengthen and broaden our connections across the region. We also had the opportunity to discuss current and future challenges for the shipping industry, both in Poland and across the Baltic Sea, ensuring the continued development of Poland’s maritime network and the security of supply.”

Last summer, passenger numbers on Finnlines’ route between Świnoujście and Malmö rose by 38% compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting the growing interest in the sea link between Poland and Sweden. “We are delighted with the results and pleased that our route to Poland, which opened in April last year, has received such a warm welcome. We see great potential ahead,” said Finnlines’ Head of Passenger Services Marco Palmu.

Also, in July this year, Finnlines added Gdynia to its weekly North Sea and Biscay service rotation, enhancing ro-ro connections between Poland and Belgium, France, the UK, Ireland, Spain and Finland. The service is operated by three state-of-the-art hybrid vessels offering high transport capacity and modern technologies, including air lubrication systems, battery banks and solar panels, enabling zero emissions in port.

Complementing the daily ro-pax service between Świnoujście and Malmö and the weekly North Sea and Biscay ro-ro rotation, the Gdynia–Hanko ro-ro link between Poland and Finland operates six times a week. Together, these routes form an essential part of Finnlines’ and the Grimaldi Group’s broader Northern Europe network.