Containerships rebranding, adding services

Containerships rebranding, adding services Finland-based Containerships said it is rebranding the South Baltic services and agencies built up under the Kursiu Linija name, and is expecting a 15 percent increase in freight volumes this year.
   Beginning in February, all Kursiu Linija services will be operated under the Containerships name.
   Containerships will also have its own agents in Lithuania and Latvia, under the names of Containerships Lithuania and Containerships Latvia, respectively. These replace UAB Arijus and Kursiu Linija Latvia.
   'These name changes will help our customers to identify with our group, which is now a door-to-door leader right across the Baltic and beyond,' said Sigurjon Markusson, managing director of Containerships. He said personnel, ships and services will remain the same.
   The company expects volume to grow 15 percent in the coming year from 305,000 TEU in 2006. Markusson noted the company substantially increased capacity this month by replacing the 350-TEU 'Passaden' with the 750-TEU 'Spica,' and in March will also replace the 'Baltic Sea' with a larger vessel.
   The company said its Finland, Russia, Poland and Sweden service has been enhanced with its ship 'Carina' making calls in Klaipeda. The new rotation will be Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Klaipeda, Gdansk and Sodertalje.
   The company said this will enable U.K. and European shippers to use Containerships to reach the East Coast of Sweden, as its growing short-sea network will allow it to transship Sweden-bound cargo from the United Kingdom and Rotterdam in Klaipeda.