New Swedish shipping company Wallenius SOL will initially operate a fleet of five vessels built to Finnish/Swedish 1A ice class allowing year round operation in the Gulf of Bothnia. Up to four new, LNG-powered vessels have been ordered and are due for delivery in 2021.
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”Together we can offer a strong mix of experience and competence, which can support a growing forest industry”, said Ragnar Johansson, managing director Wallenius Sol. ”Wallenius has experience from industrial shipping, ship owning, ship building and ship management. SOL brings the competence of logistics from forest industry and other types of cargo in this geographical area”.
The company will service the region around the Baltic Sea including Gulf of Bothnia, operating from five ports with regular calls to the continent and the UK. The new company already has two long term customers signed up - Stora Enso and Metsä Board.
Knut Hansen, svp logistics global for Stora Enso, commented, ”The partnership with Wallenius Sol will enhance our opportunities to compete globally, while at the same time the new vessels will reduce environmental impact”.
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