Finnlines is set to introduce a new freight service connecting Finland to the UK’s London Medway, starting on 23 September.
This new route is part of Finnlines’ broader strategy to enhance sustainability and expand its route network. The service will be operated weekly by three Finneco-class vessels, which will also offer connections to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland.
The new service aims to provide customers with shorter transit times and increased cargo capacity.
“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,” stated Merja Kallio-Mannila, Finnlines’ Commercial Director.
London Medway, situated on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, benefits from well-developed infrastructure, including a rail network and direct motorway access. Its proximity to London, the UK’s largest commercial hub, makes it a strategic gateway for businesses looking to expand in this vital region.
The service will utilize three Finneco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels, each capable of carrying 5,800 lane metres of cargo, roughly equivalent to 400 trailers.
These vessels feature advanced technologies like air lubrication, high-powered battery banks, and solar panels to reduce emissions. Their design ensures efficient loading and unloading operations and the flexibility to accommodate various cargo types, including long and heavy items up to seven meters in height.
“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 southeast 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,” commented Richard Goffin, Port Director for Peel Ports Group, London Medway.
