The Klaipėda-based container line will be renamed Samskip Sea Connect.

Sea Connect currently operates three vessels: Conmar Elbe (707 TEUs of capacity), Pirita and Atlantic Coast (both 646 TEUs).

The company offers three services: Rotterdam-Hamburg-St. Petersburg, Rotterdam-St. Petersburg, and Rotterdam-Klaipėda.

"This acquisition strengthens our position in Russia, in the Netherlands and across a range of key Baltic ports in between. It enhances services for Samskip's short sea customers focusing on growth opportunities in Russia and adds opportunities for importers and exporters within the region to secure cost-efficient and sustainable multimodal connections further afield," Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, CEO, Samskip, commented.

He added, "Russian exporters and importers are likely to be attracted by new possibilities to penetrate markets to the west and south using Samskip's network of short sea, rail, inland barge and road services."

Sea Connect's Managing Director, Viacheslav Puzemskij, who will continue working for the company, said, "This is a win-win for our customers which brings together Sea Connect's route-specific focus with the opportunities created by Samskip's extensive multimodal network and values. Integrating our company with Samskip aligns with the strategic goal we set ourselves in forming Sea Connect to evolve as a trusted partner and grow to serve the full range of customer needs in the Baltic and Russian markets. We assure our present and future clients that a customer-orientated culture will remain in the company, as our most important value."

Anton Larkin, SCS-Russia's Managing Director, will also remain on board the acquired enterprise.

Photo: SCS-Russia