Finnlines is set to launch a new freight service from Finland to London Medway in Sheerness, with further connections available to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland.

The first arrival will take place next week on 23 September. The new service is part of Finnlines’ strategy to improve service sustainability and route network, and it will be operated with three Finneco-class vessels calling at London Medway once a week.

The move is part of the freight and passenger shipping operator’s strategy to expand its route network, improve service reliability, and offer a sustainable alternative to its customers, which sees it make a significant change to its services in the UK.

The new connection will provide customers with shorter transit times and increased cargo capacity. Customers can access the entire Finnlines and the Grimaldi Group network via Zeebrügge and Antwerp, which provides expanded business opportunities.

London Medway is located on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, with a short sea connection to the Continent. The infrastructure in the port is well-developed with a rail network,  direct access to the motorway and close proximity to London.

The service will be operated by three Finneco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels, each with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres, equivalent to around 400 trailers.

The vessel layout enables faster and more efficient loading and unloading operations and enhanced flexibility to load any type of cargo including long and heavy cargo up to a height of seven metres.

To reduce emissions, the vessels are equipped with a number of advanced technologies such as air lubrication, a high-powered battery bank and solar panels.

Merja Kallio-Mannila, Finnlines commercial director, said: “Finnlines continues to strengthen its services by increasing cargo capacity for the UK service. Furthermore, the launch of our new service from Sheerness secures an important trade route between England and the Continent, further solidifying our position in the market.

“We are constantly improving our services to our customers and looking for new growth opportunities.” 

London Medway is managed by the Peel Ports Group. The terminal is equipped to handle a wide range of cargo types, including automotive, steel, wood, forestry, and project cargo, as well as offering facilities for ro-ro cargo.

Richard Goffin, Port Director for Peel Ports Group, London Medway, said: “Location is everything and as a port, London Medway’s proximity to the nation’s capital and distribution networks means it is perfectly placed to connect importers and exporters with their markets.

“We expect this new service will be popular with both established and emerging markets, which are seeing strong growth in the South-East of the UK, and in particular forest products which are in high demand.

“London Medway also handles a vast array of cargo including automotive, steel and ro-ro, so we expect a wide variety of commodities to be transported on Finnlines’ versatile fleet, placing the port as a key interchange between Scandinavia and Iberian markets.”

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