Joint ferry route may lead to consolidation in industry

Two Szczecin-based shipping companies, Euroafrika Linie Zeglugowe (ESL) and Polska Zegluga Baltycka (PZB), are currently holding talks on the introduction of a new passenger and freight ferry connection between Swinoujscie in northwestern Poland and Ystad in southern Sweden. According to Wlodzimierz Matuszewski, president of ESL, the new connection is vital to his company, since its main competitor, Stena Line Polska, plans in December to introduce a new 240 passenger and 80-vehicle ferry on the route from Swinoujscie to Karlskrona, also in southern Sweden. Matuszewski says he believes the jointly-operated service with PZB could be the beginning of a general move towards greater consolidation within Poland's ferry industry. The idea of increased cooperation has already gained wide support among the trade unions at PZB and Euroafrika, as well as at three other ferry operators, the Unity Line, Pol-Levant and BCL. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) M.T.K.