Fresh trade link for the Humber as shipping container route sets sail

Associated British Ports (ABP) has welcomed a new weekly service to its Port of Hull from the Port of Riga in Latvia and the Port of Helsinki in Finland.

Operated by Samskip it will connect Rotterdam, Helsinki, Riga, and Hull and has been launched in response to demand for a reliable short sea service from the Baltic Sea.

The maiden voyage saw the first vessel arrive in the East Yorkshire port on 14 November. It will offer a weekly service between these ports.

Simon Bird, regional director for the Humber ABP ports, said: “We’re pleased that Samskip has launched this new route. This is a great addition for the market.

“The new service will give existing and new customers the opportunity to connect directly with the UK as Hull is ideally located for the east west corridor and access to the Midlands and the North.

“This major new trade link between northern Europe Baltic area and East Yorkshire adds an option for shippers looking to reduce their cost and carbon emission, which sits in with our Ready for Tomorrow vision.”

Richard Beales, UK regional director for Samskip, said: “We are excited to have established Samskip’s first direct call from Finland and Latvia to the UK.

“This new dedicated short sea product offers our clients reliability of transit, coupled with the ability to help decarbonize their products journey to market.

“Our home port of Hull offers an ideally situated gateway for onwards delivery to the major hubs in the North and Midlands.”

Hull Container Terminal (HCT) and Immingham Container Terminal (ICT) are desirable locations for cargoes destined for the UK locations in the North and the Midlands.

Over £50m has been invested into the Humber container terminals including an automated gate entry system, new cranes, electric vehicles, and land expansion.

Samskip, a global logistics company, also operates a Humber based owned truck fleet and customs brokerage activities.