Icelandic-Dutch shortsea shipping company Samskip is launching a new liner service linking the continent with a new port in the UK.
The background is the plan to “revitalize” the strategy for trade with the UK and offer more flexibility, efficiency and multimodal options for North East England, according to an announcement.
On the island, the port of Blyth will be served. “This strategic expansion strengthens Samskip’s presence in the North East of England and provides shippers with a reliable, cost-effective and sustainable transportation alternative that connects seamlessly to Samskip’s wider European network,” the carrier said.
A move in the Netherlands should also help: Festing HF, a subsidiary of Samskip that primarily operates ports and warehouses, has acquired 50% of the shares held by the shareholders of Matrans Rotterdam Terminal. Festing HF and Matrans are currently in the process of obtaining approval from the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) for this joint venture.
There will be direct weekly sailings between Blyth and Rotterdam, connecting to European markets as a more sustainable alternative to traditional truck routes. “The expansion to Blyth supports our mission to be closer to our customers and provide flexible, multimodal solutions tailored to their evolving needs,” said Samskip Manager Sales & Operations, Scott Montgomery.
The Port of Blyth was chosen for its strategic location, modern infrastructure and growing importance as a regional logistics hub. Its proximity to key industrial areas and ports of entry make it an important part of Samskip’s future strategy in the UK.
With Blyth, the company is not only expanding its port options, but also looking to take decisive steps “to increase service reliability, reach new customers and support its UK customer base with better access to European markets”.
Alasdair Kerr, Commercial Director of Port of Blyth, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Samskip to the Port of Blyth. Together with our logistics company Transped, we offer a range of value-added services including cross-docking, warehousing and export packing to ensure a seamless and efficient supply chain for our customers.
