Starting November 2019, Wallenius SOL will include the in Finland in its regular liner service between the Baltic Sea and Belgium. The service expansion is made by possible through a long-term co-operation with technology company Wärtsilä, who’s building a new research and production facility on the site.

Wärtsilä is building a so-called Smart Technology Hub in the port. As of 2020, all of Wärtsilä’s functions and personnel in Vaasa will transfer to the new facility, along with the logistics and maintenance workshop operations from Runsor.

The Finnish manufacturer says the smart technology hub is the latest tangible step in Wärtsilä’s smart marine and energy visions. “The hub will be unique in its field, enabling more agile, more efficient testing and product development of solutions for the maritime, oil and gas industries, as well as new energy systems,” Wärtsilä states. The total investment in the facility amounts to EUR 200 million.

With weekly calls, Wallenius SOL will connect Vaasa with the Belgian ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. All inbound deliveries from Central Europe to Vaasa will be routed via a consolidation point in Antwerp. The Belgian port will also serve as the hub for all southbound shipments of ready-made engines to Wärtsilä’s customers worldwide.

“These long-term industrial co-operations are where we see the future growth for Wallenius SOL and we are very happy about the trust given to us by Wärtsilä. The need for more tailor-made solutions is evident in the Baltic region,” says Ragnar Johansson, managing director of the recently established joint venture between Wallenius and Swedish Orient Lines.

Wärtsilä Finland’s managing director Vesa Riihimäki commented: “The transition of Wärtsilä’s production to the Smart Technology Hub in Vaskiluoto fosters the development of new, environmentally friendly options. The new route enables a consolidation of the road transportation to sea and an optimization of our logistical solutions.”

The service will also be available to other customers for cargo such as trailers, containers and other ro/ro cargo.