The Norwegian Höegh Autoliners' new link connects the Swedish seaport to Australia and New Zealand via South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

On the export leg, the every other week sailing from Gothenburg (Logent Ports and Terminals taking care of stevedoring) will see cars, other vehicles, construction equipment, and project cargo heading for Durban, Port Elizabeth, Maputo, Port Louis, Tamatawe, Fremantle, Port Kembla (Sydney), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Auckland.

On the backhaul, Höegh Autoliners' vessels will go through Japan, South Korea, China, and possibly also ports of other countries if the demand requires it.

The first shipment left Gothenburg on-board the 8,500 CEUs-big Höegh Trigger on 12 March.

"This direct service is a vital addition for industry, and it will certainly open up new opportunities. Oceania and South Africa are key markets for the automotive industry, as well as the Swedish engineering and construction sectors. This service will give the Port of Gothenburg an extra edge in its industry offering," Claes Sundmark, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, the Gothenburg Port Authority, said.

Oskar Orstadius, Chief Sales Officer, Höegh Autoliners, added, "We are working closely with our customers to offer them sustainable transport options and we are pleased to be starting up a service in Gothenburg that will meet freight flow requirements to and from Sweden for the automotive and the high-and-heavy sectors."

Photo: Höegh Autoliners