Samskip has announced an agreement with leading short sea shipping and multimodal operator CLdN to sell its UK and Ireland (UKI-trade) door-to-door and quay-to-quay cargo business.

Samskip is confident that by handing over the UKI-trade, continuity and high service levels for its customers are secured. By selling this part of its business, greater focus can be given to growing other parts of their network, ensuring a strong, sustainable product offering with a customer-centric organization.

CENTRAL PART OF SAMSKIP’S STRATEGY
The transaction will enable Samskip to focus even more on the company’s long-distance multimodal network that connects destinations covering mainland Europe, the Nordics, Baltics and North Africa. With sustainability as a central part of Samskip’s strategy, this will contribute to the decarbonization of customer’s supply chains.

The sale covers the container shipping services currently operated by Samskip between Rotterdam (Rotterdam Short Sea Terminals / Matrans Rotterdam Terminal) and UK ports of Belfast, Blyth, Grangemouth, Hull and Tilbury and the Irish ports of Cork, Dublin and Waterford. It is envisaged to transfer all existing operations in respect of the UKI-trade, including our operating agreements.

The envisaged transaction is subject to the satisfactory outcome of the relevant and recommended regulatory and competition clearances.

Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details related to the transaction.

HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY
Commenting on the transaction, Florent Maes, Chief Executive Officer, CLdN said: “This trans-action is highly complementary to CLdN’s existing shipping and multimodal activities. Customers will benefit from an even broader array of shipping options and enhanced door-to-door equipment and services. CLdN has a long history of connecting mainland Europe with the UK and Irish markets and we look forward to further developing these reliable, flexible and environmentally efficient connections through this acquisition.”

Ólafur Orri Ólafsson, Chief Executive Officer, Samskip added: “We at Samskip are very confident about this transaction. It will allow us to focus on the key strategic markets of the future, where we will continue to invest in our organization and further develop our longer-distance trades where we deliver the most value to our customers. At the same time, selling the UK and Ireland trades to a strong partner will secure the continuation of this trade and guarantee a high coverage for our customers in the respective markets."

About Samskip

• Samskip offers pan-European, environmentally responsible combined transport services via shortsea, road, rail and inland waterway routes.
• Samship are committed to cost-effectiveness, operational excellence and best practice in sustainable transport.
• High frequency services connect destinations across Europe, the Baltic States, Iceland and Faroes Island, both door-to-door (including collection) and quay-to-quay, transported using a wide range of owned vessels, containers, trucks and trailers.

About CLdN

• CLdN is a leading provider of integrated quay-to-quay and door-to-door logistics solutions.
• Founded in 1929, CLdN ensures reliable, cost-effective transport that links the major economic areas of Europe.
• With 30 ships and more than 200 sailings a week, CLdN provides shortsea roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) connections between the European continent, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iberia and Scandinavia and offers the lowest CO₂ footprint of all Western European RoRo operators.
• CLdN’s cargo and multimodal services have a Europe-wide reach using CLdN’s extensive network of ships, terminals and equipment.
• CLdN’s 3,000 employees ensure that it fulfills its mission: to excel as an integrated provider of maritime links.