The Icelandic Steamship Company - Eimskip - has signed a 10-year deal with the Maine Port Authority and in late March will begin operating containerized freight service every other week out of Portland's International Marine Terminal with direct access to
Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in Canada.
Having direct access to European markets Maine shippers will now have the ability to get directly to European markets previously not cost effective to access. The opening of new markets presents a myriad of new international economic opportunities for Maine business. Eimskip will also be locally operating a "less-than-containerload" (LCL) transloading facility to allow for smaller businesses to send smaller shipments overseas.
Eimskip will operate a warehouse and office at Portland’s International Marine Terminal, the company said.
The company said its main reason for choosing Portland as a port of call is it is well situated for Eimskip’s liner system in the North Atlantic and suitable for its customers’ needs.
Portland’s newly renovated International Marine Terminal, which is managed by the Maine Port Authority, “is well-equipped to handled the operation,” a statement from Eimskip said.
Locally Eimskip will partner with Pan Am Railways to offer cost-competitive access to North American markets.
Eimskip, established in 1915, has 49 offices in 17 countries, and operates 17 vessels. It has been sailing to the United States since 1917.
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