New Gdańsk – Karlshamn ferry connection. Another step in the development of maritime transport in the Baltic Sea
The Port of Karlshamn and the Polish Baltic Shipping Company (PŻB) have signed an agreement to launch a new ferry route connecting the Port of Gdańsk with the Port of Karlshamn. The agreement is an important element in the development process of the Baltic Sea ferry network and will significantly strengthen the logistical potential of both ports.
The agreement, signed on 3 February 2026 between PŻB and the Port of Karlshamn, provides for close cooperation in the development and operation of the new route. According to the plan, the first regular sailings on the Gdańsk – Karlshamn route are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026.
Three-year agreement and clear schedule
The new connection has been designed primarily for freight transport, although passengers will also find an attractive alternative in travelling to Sweden. Key assumptions of the project include:
- sailing time: approximately 13 hours,
- frequency: 6 sailings per week,
- schedule: planned departures in the evening from Gdańsk and Karlshamn, with arrivals at the ports in the morning hours,
- route type: mainly the transport of articulated lorries and trailers, with passenger transport services offered as a supplementary option.
Modern fleet and high cargo capacity
The route will be served by two ferries with similar load lines, each measuring approximately 2 kilometres in length. Each vessel will be able to carry around 90 lorries having a length of 17 metres at a time.
One of the ferries will be dedicated primarily to freight transport, while the second will be a ro-pax, offering comfortable travel conditions for passengers, including catering facilities and cabins.
New boost for trade and logistics
The new Gdańsk – Karlshamn ferry route will complement existing connections operated by PŻB, such as Świnoujście – Ystad and Gdańsk – Nynäshamn. This will allow the shipping company and the ports to increase service flexibility and create additional opportunities for road hauliers and logistics operators.
At the Port of Gdańsk, the ferries will be handled at the Westerplatte Ferry Terminal, which is equipped for modern ro-ro and ro-pax operations, as well as efficient handling of HGV traffic.
The launch of the Gdańsk – Karlshamn connection is not only a strengthening of Polish–Swedish cooperation but also a tangible boost for trade, logistics and intermodal transport in the Baltic Sea region. The new route fits within the long-term strategy of diversifying transport directions and increasing the role of the Port of Gdańsk as a key logistics hub in Central and Eastern Europe.
