Dutch shipper Samskip Multimodal Container Logistics has introduced a new weekly service linking the Netherlands with Norway’s West Coast.
With this new service, the company offers direct calls between Rotterdam and Hamburg, and the ports of Stavanger, Haugesund, Bergen and ålesund in Norway.
Using its own fleet of equipment, the company said it was providing the service on a door-to-door basis, while offering a quay-to-quay service for shippers’ owned containers.
In a statement, Samskip said the new service marked a “significant” extension to its existing network to and from Norway.
Caesar Luikenaar, Samskip’s route manager Norway services, said: “Adding the west coast of Norway has been a logical decision for us.
“Until recently, Norway was being served via the main ports in the Oslofjord. On-carriage to the west coast was carried out through a combination of rail and road transport, resulting in additional transit time and cost.
“With this new direct connection, we are offering direct calls on Norway’s west coast that are very cost competitive and lead to faster and reduced transit times.”
In addition to this geographical expansion, Mr Luikenaar said Samskip would also introduce 45ft containers to the market, enabling customers to switch from trailer cargo to the more environmentally friendly transport method of waterborne 45ft containers.
The Netherlands-Germany-Norway service started on a bi-weekly basis in June, but is scheduled to switch to a weekly basis from the end of August.
