BOTHNIABORG and BALTICBORG © Wagenborg

Wallenius SOL buys two RoRos from Wagenborg and gains a major customer

Ro-roConsolidation in the northern Baltic is well under way following the purchase by Wallenius SOL of two Wagenborg-owned StoRo vessels. The 12,635 GT and 9,003 dwt BOTHNIABORG and BALTICBORG have maintained a weekly sailing from the Swedish port of Piteå to Bremen, Terneuzen and Sheerness, transporting large reels of kraftliner paper under long-term contract with Smurfit Westrock, who operate Europe's largest kraftliner mill in Piteå with an annual capacity of 700,000 tpa.

The 153.1m long by 21.6m beam StoRo vessels were built by the Volharding shipyard in the Netherlands in 2004 to ice-class 1A Super standards and are equipped with a single Wärtsilä 9L46 main engine of 9,450 kW for a service speed of 16 knots. In RoRo mode, the vessels have a 1,666 lanem intake on three decks accessed via a wide stern ramp/door and fixed internal ramps.

Wallenius SOL has also taken over the contract of affreightment (CoA) with Smurfit Westrock, providing continuity using the existing vessels. Ultimately, Wallenius SOL will integrate the service into its wider network using cassettes and larger newbuildings.

Elvir Dzanic, CEO of Wallenius SOL, commented: "This acquisition is a natural continuation of what we set out to build: a reliable, sustainable maritime backbone for the industries of northern Europe. By investing in transport infrastructure capacity and welcoming Smurfit Westrock as a long-term partner, we strengthen both the reach and the resilience of the system. We are proud to take on this responsibility and are committed to delivering the service these volumes deserve."