A game-changing freight service celebrated in Sheerness

Finnlines has officially celebrated the launch of a new line at an event held in Sheerness on Tuesday 10 June 2025. The weekly service, launched in September 2024, connects London Medway directly to Belgium, Spain, Finland, and Poland. In addition, it enables connections from the UK to the global Grimaldi Group network, offering seamless connections to the Far East, the Middle East, Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the U.S. East Coast.

“Our freight service to Sheerness marks a major milestone in our 70 years of UK operations. With a prime location near Greater London, we offer extensive cargo capacity and strategic connectivity. Together with our partner Peel Ports Group, we are committed to exceeding expectations, driving innovation, and supporting continuous development,” says Merja Kallio-Mannila, Commercial Director at Finnlines.

The service is operated by Finnlines’ Finneco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels. Each vessel provides a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres – equivalent to approximately 400 trailers – and is designed for the efficient handling of diverse cargo types, including oversized freight. The ships are equipped with advanced technologies such as air lubrication systems, battery banks, and solar panels, which contribute to reduced emissions and support more sustainable sea transport services.

“With our infrastructure built around modern hybrid ro-ro vessels, an extensive route network, and reliable schedules, we offer our customers dependable, environmentally friendly, and highly flexible sea transport solutions. Furthermore, the economies of scale we achieve enable us to deliver these services with greater efficiency and added value,” says Blasco Majorana, Line Manager of Finnlines.

"It’s been a pleasure to celebrate this milestone alongside our partners at Finnlines. Their new service will be among those that will benefit directly from of our newly completed £30 million ro-ro berth here at London Medway – a major investment that enhances our capacity and supports faster, more flexible operations for services like this one. With Finnlines hybrid vessels, strategic European links and seamless integration into the Grimaldi network, this route reflects the kind of future-focused logistics we’re proud to enable,” says Richard Goffin, Port Director – South East, Peel Ports Group.

London Medway is managed by the Peel Ports Group, a leading port operator and full-service logistics provider. The port’s multi-purpose terminals handle diverse cargo types, including ro-ro, forest products, steel, aggregates and project cargo, or special cargo.

Finnlines specialises in freight transport and continues to reinforce its role as a key maritime service provider between Finland and Continental Europe. With regular connections linking Finland, Poland, Belgium, Spain, and Ireland – and seamless integration into the extensive Grimaldi network – Finnlines enables efficient and environmentally responsible logistic solutions for businesses across Europe.