This partnership will enable the two shipping companies to offer, what they believe is, the market's best shortsea solution between Norway, Poland and the Baltic countries.

The service will be a fixed weekly schedule with end of the week sailings from Klaipeda and Gdynia and an arrival in Oslo on Monday morning, ready for unloading. The transit time on this route is shorter and more predictable than most other freight alternatives. The first departure from Klaipeda will take place 5th April 2018.

 “Containerships has invested to a strong growth path with new LNG-vessels and trucks. The other focus has been to open new services in its main market area in the Baltics. Opening a new service in Norway with a strong player like Viasea enables us to offer competitive solution to our customers right from the beginning and speeds up our growth”, says Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, CEO of Containerships plc.

Containerships and Viasea are both dedicated shortsea operators focusing on door-door services in Europe, within each of its segments and areas. An ambition to develop their services in new regions, is the main reason for this cooperation. Containerships are strong in the Baltic sea, whilst Viasea are mainly connecting UK and continental Europe to Norway, and together they will complement each other well.

“We are delighted to start our cooperation with Viasea with whom we are very close in terms of approach and service ambition. We are very excited to add the Norwegian market to our traditional areas that Finland, Russia, the Baltic States and Poland have been for the last 50 years.” Says Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, CEO of Containerships.

"Although our companies are different in terms of size and age, we are quite similar in which services we offer. Both companies focus exclusively on the shortsea market – aiming for regularity and reliability. By combining our strengths and existing networks, we can offer a new alternative for our customers, as well as open up for new opportunities” states Morten Pettersen, Managing Director of Viasea.

There are many advantages of choosing shortsea. This form of transport has proven to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly as opposed to the traditional road freight.

An extensive amount of goods is moved from Poland and the Baltics to Norway. Companies choosing sea freight, show willingness to move towards becoming more environmentally friendly.

“Norway service strengthens Containerships position in the Baltics and Poland by adding even wider geographic coverage to our customers. The co-operation with a strong Norwegian player like Viasea ensures that we can offer reliable service, which our customers are used to, also from and to Norway”, says Kari-Pekka Laaksonen.