Finnlines is set to launch a new freight service from Finland to London Medway located in Sheerness, with further connections available to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland. The first arrival will take place on 23 September 2024. 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 London Medway once a week

As part of its strategy to expand its route network, improve service reliability, and offer a sustainable alternative to its customers, the freight and passenger shipping company Finnlines is making a significant change to its services in the UK. Starting in September, Finnlines will launch a new freight service from Finland to London Medway, with further connections available to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland. 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 and a direct access to the motorway. Its proximity to London, the UK’s largest commercial hub, makes it an ideal gateway for businesses seeking to expand in this critical region.

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 innovative vessel layout enables faster and more efficient loading and unloading operations besides enhanced flexibility to load any type of cargo, long, heavy up to a height of 7 metres.

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

“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,” says Merja Kallio-Mannila, Finnlines’ Commercial Director.

London Medway is managed by the Peel Ports Group, a leading port operator and full-service logistics provider. 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.

“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,” says Richard Goffin, Port Director for Peel Ports Group, London Medway.

Key highlights:

• New freight service from Sheerness: Launching in September, this new connection will complement Finnlines’ route network and provide customers with shorter transit times, increased cargo capacity and loading capabilities.
• Sustainable alternative: a new hybrid ro-ro vessel with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres provides lower CO2 emissions per transported cargo unit.
• Frequency: 1/7.
• Southbound route: Helsinki / Kotka–Sheerness–Antwerp / Zeebrügge–Bilbao / Vigo.
• Northbound route: Bilbao / Vigo–Zeebrügge / Antwerp–Hanko–Helsinki / Kotka.

Finnlines specialises in freight transport, offering customers a regular and reliable route to the European market through its extensive line network, while also ensuring the import of goods crucial for security of supply. With the introduction of the new connection, Finnlines consolidates its position as the main maritime service provider between Finland, UK and Continental Europe.