DFDS SEAWAYS HAS OPENED NEW RUSSIA-GERMANY SERVICE
DFDS has now decided to open a combined rail, ro-ro and passenger route between the Russian port of Ust Luga and the German ports of Sassnitz and Kiel
Niels Smedegaard, CEO & President, DFDS Group says: There has for some time been an increased demand in the market for more freight capacity in sea-based transport between Russia and Germany. We are acting on this and on the wish expressed by the Russian Ministry of Transport. Therefore, I am pleased to be able to confirm that DFDS has now decided to open a combined rail, ro-ro and passenger route between the Russian port of Ust Luga and the German ports of Sassnitz and Kiel. The new route will be in addition to the existing service between Kiel-Karlshamn and St Petersburg.
The new service will offer one sailing per week from each port, and on Saturday 28 May, DFDS ro-pax vessel KAUNAS made the first successful call to the Port of Ust Luga. Ust Luga is equipped with new and modern facilities, as are the German ports. KAUNAS (built 1986) has capacity for 90 rail wagons on two decks, or 1,600 lane metres for trucks, trailers and other ro-ro cargo. The ship is able to accommodate 262 passengers, of whom most are expected to be truck drivers. Departures will be: From Ust Luga Saturdays, from Kiel Wednesday and from Sassnitz Thursdays.
I believe this new step further adds to the good cooperation with Russia in our common efforts to expand the maritime trade on the Baltic Sea. We are therefore extremely pleased with the support which we have received from the Russian Ministry of Transport, which enables us to establish this new service. We also hope to be able to increase rail volume in cooperation with the Russian railways and the German Railways, says Niels Smedegaard.
For further information, please contact: Anders Refsgaard, Vice President, responsible for Baltic region, +45 33 42 34 50