The first vessel, Ms Baltic Sea, a 2005 built 366 TEU 1A Finnish ice class container ship, loaded the first Northbound containers in the port of Antwerp on the 4th of November 2008, at quay 730.

The round trip will be 10 days, giving three regular loading dates per month in both ends.

Merilinja Oy, which was founded in 2007, is privately owned, and it is currently operating one 366 TEU container vessel, Ms Baltic Sea. More information www.merilinja.fi

The service accepts all types of 20’ 30’ 40’ and 45 ’ containers, as well as IMO containers. Within short the service will also acquire the official customs status of a regular liner service, which will facilitate the transport of goods between the European call ports.

Agents for the service are:
Herfurth & Co NV in Antwerp, contact Mr. Bob Bus and Mr. Wim Rottiers
Oy M. Rauanheimo Ab in Kokkola, contact Mr.  Henrik Hagström and Ms Mirja Hihnala

This is a new container service from Kokkola to the Continent, the first of its kind, and it has been established in response to the demands of the trade.  The container line will serve the needs of the industry, including the nm mining industry, as well as the consumer markets. It offers a direct connection from Kokkola to Antwerp, one of the major ports on the Continent, from where excellent access is offered to the Americas, East Asia and inland Europe.