Business, Freight News, Logistics, Road, Sea

New line on the North Sea

[ January 18, 2012   //   Chris ]

A new freight ro-ro service is to start operations between Killingholme and Gothenburg on 24 January. North Sea RoRo, which has been established by industry veteran Mårten Carlquist, said it aims to offer a competitive alternative to the dominant operator, DFDS. Initially, three round trips per week will operate in each direction. Stevedoring in Gothenburg will be handed by Logent who will also be agents for the line with the corresponding service at Killingholme operated by C. Ro Ports.

Mårten Carlquist, CEO of the new company said: “ We are happy to now be able to offer a competitive alternative to the existing services, at the same time as the capacity and frequency on the route is significantly expanded. The project has been met with great interest and has built confidence among carriers and other stakeholders. We will have a high shipment volume on the route from the first day of service.”

One of the initiators of the new company is transport and forwarding agent NTEX which will bring significant volume. Thomas Ström, CEO of NTEX, commented: “This is an important route for Swedish trade. To date there has been only one ro ro service between Sweden and England.”

He added that the new operator “has very good potential to provide both increased competition in transport to and from England. Today we have a traffic volume on the route corresponding to SEK150 million (£14.13m) annually. It is natural for us to enlist the new shipping company so that the market can be developed further.”

NTEX will be the initial majority shareholder in the new company but said it would soon significantly reduce its ownership to ensure the new company’s independence, according to Joakim von Heijne at financial advisors Avantus Corporate Finance.