Samskip’s UK and Ireland Freight Activities Purchased by CLdN
Luxembourg-based shortsea shipping operator CLdN has reached an agreement to purchase the UK and Ireland quay-to-quay and door-to-door freight activities of multimodal transport group Samskip. The move will significantly expand CLdN’s regional logistics presence across both markets.
Extensive Port Connections Included in the Deal
The acquisition covers Samskip’s container shipping routes linking Rotterdam with key UK ports including Belfast, Blyth, Grangemouth, Hull and Tilbury, along with Irish ports Cork, Dublin and Waterford. These services together make more than 1,000 port calls annually and support cargo flows for a wide range of industries, including leading consumer goods producers.
Door-to-Door Multimodal Operations Transfer
Beyond port-to-port shipping, the agreement also includes Samskip’s door-to-door freight services connecting the UK and Ireland with mainland Europe. Over 5,000 multimodal transport units will transfer to CLdN, including pallet-wide containers, refrigerated units, curtain-sided trailers, flat racks and high-cube reefers.
Supplier Contracts and Logistics Links Move to CLdN
Several supplier arrangements tied to the business will also shift to CLdN. These include agreements covering road haulage, rail and barge transport links, vessel-sharing partnerships and port handling operations, ensuring continuity across the integrated logistics chain.
Regulatory Approval Pending, Financial Terms Undisclosed
The transaction remains subject to competition and regulatory approvals. Neither company has revealed the financial value of the deal.
CLdN Sees Strategic Fit and Network Growth
CLdN chief executive Florent Maes said the acquisition complements the company’s current shortsea and multimodal services. He noted it will provide customers with more sailing choices, increased frequency and broader door-to-door coverage. CLdN currently operates about 30 vessels and more than 200 weekly sailings linking mainland Europe with the UK, Ireland, Iberia and Scandinavia.
Samskip Refocuses on Longer-Distance Markets
For Samskip, the sale reflects a strategic repositioning. Chief executive Ólafur Orri Ólafsson said the divestment will allow the company to concentrate on its long-distance multimodal network across mainland Europe, the Nordic and Baltic regions and North Africa, while maintaining service continuity in the UK and Ireland through CLdN as its partner.
