Wallenius SOL is a new Swedish shipping company that will transport forestry products and other goods in a network covering the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
Its founders are the two shipping companies Wallenius and Swedish Orient Line, SOL. It’s an investment to strengthen the infrastructure for the needs of Finnish and Swedish industry. The first customers to sign long-term agreements are Stora Enso and Metsä Board.
”Together we can offer a strong mix of experience and competence, which can support a growing forest industry”, says Ragnar Johansson, Managing Director Wallenius SOL. Wallenius has experience from industrial shipping, ship owning, ship building and ship management. SOL adds the competence of logistics from forest industry and other types of cargo in this geographical area.
Wallenius SOL will have service in the region around the Baltic Sea including Gulf of Bothnia, operating from five ports with regular calls to the continent (Lübeck, Antwerp) and the UK.
”We rely on efficient and sustainable transports for our products”, says Knut Hansen, SVP Logistics Global, Stora Enso. ”The partnership with Wallenius SOL will enhance our opportunities to compete globally, while at the same time the new vessels will reduce environmental impact”.
Specially designed vessels built to Finnish/Swedish ice class 1A Super will ensure year-round service, even in the the Gulf of Bothnia. The fleet in service in the Baltic Sea will initially consist of five vessels. Up to four new vessels are ordered. These vessels will be LNG-powered and will also have other features that make these vessels the most environmentally efficient vessels in the area. Delivery of the new vessels is planned for 2021.
