New route a ‘lifeline’ between Sweden and Iceland

From 5 April Samskip will serve the terminal weekly before sailing to Rotterdam, via Faroese Runavik and Reykjavik, Iceland.

“The new call is not only a lifeline between Iceland and Sweden, but also represents the starting point for a competitive and sustainable short-sea offer from the largest container port in the Nordics to the continent,” said Brian Bitsch, chief commercial officer at APM Terminals.

Founded in Iceland in 1990 and now based in Rotterdam, Samskip is a Dutch logistics company with a focus on intra-European traffic within multiple modes of transport.

Operations manager, Kenn Mellgren, said the new line would provide clear gains for the company. “Shipping in combination with rail is by far the most climate-efficient way to transport containers, and sustainability is one of the most important foundations in our business,” he said.

The new line adds more direct destinations to the port’s growing liner business, strengthening Gothenburg’s role in helping Swedish industry improve its global reach.

“We are very happy that Samskip has chosen the Port of Gothenburg for its short-sea traffic in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, which also brings an additional connection to Rotterdam and Cuxhaven,” said Jacob Minnhagen, business developer at the Gothenburg Port Authority.