MS Skania

Skania
History
Name
  • 1995–2004: Superfast I
  • 2004–2008: Eurostar Roma
  • 2008 onwards: Skania
Owner
Operator
Port of registry
RouteGdańsk - Karlshamn
BuilderSchichau Seebeckwerft, Bremerhaven, Germany[1]
Yard number1087[2]
Launched30 July 1995[2]
Christened25 March 1995[2]
Acquired6 April 1995[2]
In service15 April 1995[2]
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics (as built)
Tonnage23,663 GT
Length173.7 m
Beam24 m
Draught6.42 m
Installed power4x Wartsila NSD 12 ZAV 40S
Speed27 kn
Capacity
  • 1397 passengers
  • 626 berths
  • 1800 lane meters
General characteristics (after 2008 rebuilt)
Tonnage23,933 GT
Capacity
  • 1397 pax
  • 600 berths
  • 2135 lm
Notesotherwise as built

Skania is a fast ropax ferry operated by POLSCA Baltic Ferries on their Gdańsk - Karlshamn route. She was built in 1995 by Schichau Seebeckwerft in Bremerhaven, Germany for Superfast Ferries as Superfast I. Between 2004 and 2008 she sailed for Grimaldi Lines as the Eurostar Roma.

Concept and construction

The Superfast I was the first ship built for Attica Group's subsidiary Superfast Ferries for its Adriatic Sea services from Patras to Ancona.[3] She is a sister ship of Superfast II.[2][4]

Service history

1995–2004: Superfast I

The Superfast I entered service on 14 April 1995 on Superfast Ferries' Patras—Ancona route.[2] In March 1998 after the arrival of the Superfast III and Superfast IV, Superfast I, along with her sister Superfast II were transferred to a new route Bari – Igoumenitsa – Patras. In January 2004 the Superfast I was sold to Grimaldi lines, with a delivery date in February of the same year.[2]

2004–2008: Eurostar Roma

Grimaldi Lines took over the ship on 30 September 2003 and renamed her Eurostar Roma.[2] On 15 March 2004, after a small refit she began on the Civitavecchia – Barcelona route. In March 2008 she was sold to the Polish Steamship Co. with delivery set for May 2008. In April, after the delivery of the new Cruise Roma she was put on Civitavecchia/ Salerno-Palermo- Tunis route for a short time.[2]

2008 onwards: Skania

On 5 May 2008, she was handed over to her new owners, Polish Steamship Co (Unity Line) and renamed Skania.[2] She then sailed to Gdańsk for a refit, in which her aft open deck was enclosed, amongst other upgrades for her new role. On 29 August she was Christened in Szczecin and had public open days for the flowing two days in the port. On 1 September 2008, she started on the over night Świnoujście–Ystad route.[1] On 17 February 2009, the Skania was involved in a collision near Ystad.[1] In 2026, following the takeover of Unity Line by POLSCA Baltic Ferries, the ship continued sailing the route with her new operator. By July she was transferred to the new Gdańsk - Karlshamn line.[5]

Sksnia on the Baltic Sea

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Koefoed-Hansen, Michael. "M/F Skania". The Ferry Site. Retrieved 30 March 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Asklander, Micke. "M/S Superfast I (1995)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 March 2009.
  3. ↑ Asklander, Micke. "Superfast Ferries". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  4. ↑ Significant Ships of 1995. Royal Institution of Naval Architects. 1996. p. 111. ISBN 0 903055 21 X.
  5. ↑ Latarska, Agnieszka. "Skania w Gdańsku. Trwają przygotowania do uruchomienia nowej linii promowej - GospodarkaMorska.pl". GospodarkaMorska.pl - portal morski, portal gospodarczy (in Polish). Retrieved 5 August 2026.

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