Car imports via Port of Södertälje greatly increased during the autumn and to this effect a contract between the port and the British RoRo shipping line Mann Lines has been signed.
The first arrival of a Mann Lines vessel, carrying brand-new Ford cars, is due to dock at Port of Södertälje on the 8th of February. Mann Lines vessels will then dock at Södertälje on every Monday of the week, arriving from Ternuzen and Zeebrugge.
Car imports have drastically reduced in number as a result of the recession but there are encouraging signs that this trend is about to change. In January of 2010 a total of 1,300 cars arrived at Södertälje whereas this figure had quadrupled by the year’s end. This can be regarded as a return to normal volumes. Port of Södertälje has now signed a contract with the British shipping line Mann Lines and their vessels will at dock Södertälje on a weekly basis starting from the 8th February 2010.
’To have begun 2010 with the signing of a new contract with a large and well-respected RoRo shipping line is a very good sign. Mann Lines has a base contract with Ford but from such a large car port as Zeebrugge we can naturally hope for more cargo to Södertälje. I anticipate increased volumes for 2010, both RoRo and container traffic, as more actors discover Södertälje’s geographical advantages,’ says Erik Froste, managing director of Port of Södertälje, who sees the Mann Lines’ contract as the start of a long-term collaboration.
Besides cars, Mann Lines in a cooperation with Smurfit Kappa from Piteå, will transport construction machinery as well as other goods. The two-week route of the vessels will call at Piteå, Bremen, Sheerness, Terneuezen, Zeebrugge and Södertälje.
’Port of Södertälje is an obvious choice with its proximity to Stockholm and connection to the major E4/E20 motorways within five minutes from the port makes Södertälje the logistical hub of the Greater Stockholm region,’ says Mann Lines Peter Andersson.
Port of Södertälje’s goods volumes increased by 10% during 2009 compared with the previous year. The upswing is due to increased oil and bulk being handled by the port. Container volumes and car imports fell by 6% and 13% respectively. The fact that Port of Södertälje was able to increase volumes during 2009 shows that the port is taking market shares on Sweden’s east coast.
For more information please contact:
Erik Froste, Managing director. Phone: 00468-550 237 41 or 0046730-551 857 
Peter Andersson, Sales Manager Mann Lines +44 776 968 86 45
Email: 
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