Euro Marine Logistics (EML), the short sea carrier joint venture between Mitsui OSK Lines and Höegh Autoliners, has started a new weekly ro-ro service from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge to three ports in the Nordic region. The service links with EML’s existing one between Zeebrugge and the port of Tyne in the UK, which was introduced in January this year. It will be managed by the EML NV division based at Meise in Belgium.
Vessels will leave Zeebrugge every five days and call at Esbjerg (Denmark), Gothenburg (Sweden), Drammen (Norway) and Tyne (UK). EML will use ICO’s Northern Inlet Terminal at Zeebrugge, which has capacity for 28,500 units and features a vehicle processing centre, as well as providing forwarding and customs clearance.
EML’s principal customer is Renault-Nissan. Renault vehicles produced in France, Spain, Morocco and Turkey are loaded at Zeebrugge on EML’s Mediterranean service and on a transhipment vessel for the Nordic service. Additional Nissan flows from Tyne to Norway and Gothenburg are also included. A spokesperson for the company said that the new service provides the potential to combine Renault and Nissan vehicles from those respective points of origin on one carrier for onward shipment, offering a more reliable and frequent service.
It will supplement EML’s network and the spokesperson said that other OEMs looking to improve their transport links to Denmark, Sweden and Norway stand to benefit.
“For instance, we are aiming to offer new a solution using this service for cargo ex Esbjerg to Drammen, or ex Gothenburg to Drammen going today by trucks,” he said.
EML will employ two small pure car carriers (PCCs) for the Nordic service, equipped to carry a range of rolling cargo including passenger cars, commercial vehicles and other high and heavy equipment.
