Samskip launches new EU connection

The new service, which will see five train departures a week, enhances Samskip’s pan-European shortsea and multimodal network.

Full provision has been made for the carriage of the complete range of unitised equipment, with initial focus on pallet-wide high cube 45ft containers, curtain-siders, flatracks and reefers.

A Samskip spokesperson told GreenPort: “80 teu is a good indication of the capacity, although we will be railing mainly 45ft units on 90ft wagons.”

“From the Rotterdam terminal to the Melzo terminal is 1,020kg/CO2 by road, whereas by rail, CO2 emissions are 270kg/CO2 – showing that CO2 emissions can be reduced by 750kg per one-way trip,” the spokesperson added.

The Rotterdam-Melzo operation builds on the success of longstanding dedication block train services offered through the Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal brand, connecting Sweden and the continent.

Via the Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal, regular scheduled Samskip shortsea services connect for instance with the UK/Ireland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Russia and Iceland. Meanwhile, transit times between the RSC and Melzo will be achieved in under 30 hours, with rail traction provided through an agreement between Samskip and Deutsche Bahn. From Melzo, Samskip will offer onward connections to/from rail terminals in Padova, Frosinone and Bari.