First inland shipping shuttle service

German shipping company Reederie Deymann is introducing the EU inland waterway classed container barge Emelie Deymann into Lake Mälaren to operate services linking Stockholm Norvik Port to the Port of Västerås.

“We are extremely positive about inland waterway transport. This provides us with a unique opportunity for more efficient transport options in the Stockholm region, reduced congestion on our roads, and additional service offerings for our customers,” stated Nicklas Ebersson, marketing manager cargo at Ports of Stockholm.

EU sustainability drive

The cargo shuttle service is the first example in Sweden of what is known throughout the EU as the fifth mode of transportation, using smaller EU inland waterway classed vessels. The 110m long Emelie Deymann has the capacity to carry 208 TEUs.

Stockholm Norvik Port’s container terminal, managed by Hutchison Ports. is located closest to the area that is by far Sweden’s largest consumer region. The approach is closer to the open sea than any other port on the Swedish east coast. Introduction of this new inland shipping shuttle service provides the possibility to sustainably transport goods as close to their end destination as possible.

Services are expected to commence before the end of May, with two sailings each week.

Ports of Stockholm noted that exports via Stockholm Norvik Port container terminal continue to rise. It said the shortage of empty containers in Sweden, and in other parts of the world, has created other export routes, and the unique access to empty containers at Stockholm Norvik has led to more and more export goods being shipped via the port.