Rotterdam-based transport group Samskip has announced the acquisition of shortsea specialist Sea Connect aiming to broadened its Baltic operations.

The Lithuania-based shipping company, which will be renamed Samskip Sea Connect, offers shortsea services connecting Russia, Lithuania, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, Sea Connect operates three 1A Ice Class container vessels calling twice a week at St. Petersburg and Rotterdam, weekly at Hamburg and at Aarhus sub inducement.

Sea Connect’s feeder links with deep sea carriers would also remain, stated a press release.

“This acquisition strengthens our position in Russia, in the Netherlands and across a range of key Baltic ports in between,” said CEO of Samskip, Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, who went on to add, “It [the acquisition] enhances services for Samskip’s shortsea customers focusing on growth opportunities in Russia and adds opportunities for importers and exporters within the region to secure cost-efficient and sustainable multimodal connections farther afield.”

“This is a win-win for our customers which brings together Sea Connect’s route-specific focus with the opportunities created by Samskip’s extensive multimodal network and values,” noted Viacheslav Puzemskij, Sea Connect Managing Director.

The acquisition of Sea Connnect consolidates Samskip’s commitments to the Baltic region, following its acquisition of Norlines in 2017 and the founding of a separate Finnish entity earlier this year.

Mr. Laaksonen anticipates particular growth in unitised volumes connecting Russia and the Baltic states through Rotterdam by rail, barges, vessels all over the Europe, and also greater deployment of Samskip’s expert refrigerated cargo services in St Petersburg. “Russian exporters and importers are likely to be attracted by new possibilities to penetrate markets to the west and south using Samskip’s network of shortsea, rail, inland barge and road services.” (Samskip vessel photo)