Transfennica cancels ro-ro route

European shipping company Transfennica has decided to cease its “Motorways of the Sea” Ro-Ro service between Bilbao, Portsmouth and Zeebrugge by the end of December 2014. The decision stems
from the upcoming SECA legislation to enter into force on 1 January 2015, which will result in increasing fuel costs. The company said it expects that up to 50% of the trailer volumes will return to the road. The Board of Directors of Spliethoff Group therefore decided there is no profitable future for a Ro-Ro service on this route, started in September 2007, Transfennica explained.

“This decision on the Iberian strategy has no impact on other Transfennica routes nor on the activities of Transfennica Logistics which will continue its intermodal activity to and from Spain & Portugal,” the company said. Transfennica Logistics operates 40ft and 45ft palletwide containers between Spain and Portugal, UK and the Benelux, as well as to and from Finland and Russia.

As informed, Transfennica Logistics will continue its present lo-lo service offering Tuesday and Friday departures from Rotterdam, Tilbury and Bilbao. In addition, Transfennica Logistics is set to increase the usage of rail services to and from the Barcelona and Madrid areas by opening a 2nd warehouse and office in Barcelona in January 2015.