Economic and industrial growth in Northern Sweden and Finland has been increasing significantly in recent years. Driven by the favorable availability of commodities and green energy, the potentials for further growth are huge. As every economic development is only as strong as its links to international markets, around 50 experts from Sweden, Finland, Germany and further European states met on-board Wasaline´s Aurora Botnia today to discuss transport and infrastructure organization between the North and Continental Europe.
“The North has always had a strong basic industry, and with the continuous focus on green energy, the necessary sustainable transition only accelerates. For Wasaline as a Swedish-Finnish operator, this is an important development, as it will help our regional trade to stabilize in light of global political challenges. Consequently, Wasaline will strongly benefit from a better connection to Southern Sweden and Germany”, says Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline.
The meeting was co-organized by ferry operator Wasaline and the port companies Kvarken Ports, Port of Trelleborg and ROSTOCK PORT. Representing the common Swedish-Finnish port organization Kvarken Ports, CEO Patrick Mattson states:
“The strait between Umeå and Vaasa – Kvarken – is a historic trade relation, and our history is the foundation of our business model: Together we can offer our customers efficient services and market our ports as the most favorable location not only between West and East, but also between North and South. Strengthening our connections to Germany is a natural part, so that the continent can benefit from our region´s industry, be it raw commodities like ore or forest products, or energy and battery technology”, says Patrick Mattson.
The ports of Trelleborg and Rostock have a long-term relation and are connected up to six times per day and direction by numerous ferry lines. Aside from accompanied and unaccompanied roro cargo, the ports are also connected by two railway ferries, that allow to transport direct trains between Sweden and Germany. Both ports can rely on smooth hinterland connections to process and transship cargo further, nationally and internationally.
“Sustainability is the main driver in our port development, and as a multimodal hub, we as Port of Trelleborg have the obligation and the will to act as sustainably conscious as possible. Ships and trains are the most efficient means of transport, and by extending our connections to the Kvarken region, we contribute to green transport corridors for the industry of tomorrow”, says Jörgen Nilsson, CEO Port of Trelleborg.
“The port of Rostock as a multipurpose port does not only offer ferry routes, bulk and project cargo capacity, but a hinterland that includes Germany, Eastern Europe as well as Italy and Slovenia. Between Rostock and Trelleborg is where the Nordics meet the continent. We are happy to see the huge interest in our networking event on the Umeå-Vaasa route, because it takes people to get together to hopefully establish further cooperation across the continent”, says Dr. Gernot Tesch, CEO ROSTOCK PORT.
From the left: Jörgen Nilsson, CEO, Port of Trelleborg, Patrick Mattsson, CEO, Kvarkenhamnar, Dr. Gernot Tesch, CEO, ROSTOCK PORT