Gdynia and London to be linked with new container liner service in February 2019
Unifeeder, recently acquired by United Arab Emirates based DP World, is to begin operating a direct service between Poland and DP World’s London Gateway facility. The new connection forms part of Unifeeder’s strategy to provide a competitive transport alternative for its customers, as well as ensure a steady flow of cargo to the UK, via multiple points of entry. The service will also support DP World’s strategy to enable smarter trade solutions and growth. The direct shuttle service between DP World London Gateway and Gdynia – located on Poland’s Baltic coast – commences on Friday, February 22, with Gdynia departure of feeder container vessel Marja (IMO no. 9113721, built in 1995, owned by Holwerda Shipmanagement bv, featuring gross tonnage of 3999, 5210 ton deadweight capacity, 508 TEU capacity and 52 reefer container sockets). Weekly rotation will include Friday Gdynia departures with London Gateway arrivals on Mondays.
The new service announcement comes just over a month after DP World’s 100 per cent acquisition of the Unifeeder Group, worth EUR 660 million, was finalised.
This new short-sea service will complement DP World London Gateway’s existing, state-of-the-art deep-sea offering, which currently offers UK importers and exporters service options to more than 110 ports in over 60 different countries.
The turmoil around vote in the UK Parliament against the Brexit agreement between the UK and the European Union as well as further, more recent developments, might have a serious impact on supply chains to and from the UK. This new connection is part of Unifeeder’s strategy to provide a competitive transport alternative for our customers, as well as, ensure a steady flow for their cargo to the UK, via multiple points of entry.
Chris Lewis, UK CEO, DP World, said: “We are pleased to be working in conjunction with Unifeeder to offer its customers – and European importers and exporters more generally – a competitive alternate gateway into the UK. The port and its integrated Logistics Park offer unmatched road and rail links to the whole of the UK and a container terminal that places cargo owners and users at its heart by offering transparency, visibility and numerous points of contact.
“After five years of operations, the port is among the fastest growing in the world and has a supporting infrastructure that has potential to assist those trading goods between the UK and Europe, through outstanding lo-lo services and flexible distribution and warehousing options.”
Timm Niebergall, Director of Unifeeder Shortsea, Unifeeder Group, said: “Due to integration to the UK’s largest Logistic Park as well as great accessibility to the highway and rail connections – DP World London Gateway is a true logistic hub, making it a powerful extension of Unifeeder’s network.”
rel (DP World London Gateway), PBS
