"Port of Ystad is already one of Sweden's largest ferry ports. With this extension, we have future-proofed it. Now the ferries connecting Sweden with Bornholm, Germany and Poland will be able to sail even more flexibly. We can handle larger quantities of goods and thus continue to contribute to the sustainable transition, as we make it possible to redirect goods that would otherwise have gone by road to sea transport. And we can accommodate the larger passenger ferries that more and more shipping companies choose to invest in," says Björn Boström, CEO of Ystad Havn.

To underline this, Viking Line's CINDERELLA, which had sailed to Ystad from Stockholm, arrived in the middle of the opening ceremony, giving the day an extra festive feel.

The inauguration speeches highlighted the port's importance for Ystad Municipality, but also in a broader perspective.

"By expanding the port, we have secured Ystad's future as a hub in the Baltic Sea of ??increasing importance, our future job opportunities and thus also our future tax revenue. By creating this opportunity to accommodate the growing flows of goods and tourists, we can bring Sweden a little closer to the continent", said Paula Nilsson (M), Mayor of Ystad, in her speech.

Another speaker was Carl Johan Sonesson (M), chairman of the regional council in Region Skåne.

"Most of us who pass Port of Ystad never think about the fact that it is actually Sweden's second largest port in terms of passenger cars, Sweden's third largest ferry port and Sweden's fifth largest for freight traffic via trucks and trailers. It is of the greatest importance, not only for Ystad, but for all of Skåne and indeed for all of Sweden. Most of the goods that pass through the Port of Ystad go on to other destinations in Skåne and the rest of Sweden, all the way to Stockholm”, he said.