Eimskip deploys third vessel on Iceland-ECNA loop

The Icelandic ocean carrier will up the frequency of its Green Line service by adding a third vessel between Reykjavik, Halifax and Portland, Maine.    Icelandic ocean carrier Eimskip will increase the frequency of its container service between Iceland and the ports of Halifax and Portland, Maine on Nov. 30 by deploying a third vessel on its Green Line loop, the company said in a statement.
   The new Green Line service, previously sailing on a 12-day frequency, will become a weekly loop with three vessels of an average capacity of 711 TEUs. Eimskip said the loop will offer “excellent network connections with Southern Europe, Russia and the Baltics,” FCL and LCL service, project cargo, break bulk and storage services. 
   “This new weekly offering will better serve our existing customer base and will create an avenue for future growth,” said Jeff Simms, managing director of Eimskip Canada. “We are seeing increased volumes through operations at Portland, Maine, as well as Halifax and Newfoundland. The combined increase is making the change to weekly calls a reality.”
   Kim Holtermand, CEO and managing director of Halifax’s Halterm International Container Terminal, which will be called by the Green Line loop, said, “We are delighted to be working with Eimskip, a long-term customer, on the development of its intra-regional and trans-Atlantic services. Earlier this year Halterm welcomed the first 10,000-TEU capacity container vessels to arrive in Halifax and the terminal is capable to handle the largest 14,000-TEU ships now regularly calling North America’s east coast – these vessels need a strong feeder and intermodal network and Halterm is proud to partner Eimskip in making one such opportunity available to and from the New England states.”
   The complete port rotation for the new Green Line service is Reykjavik, Argentia Newfoundland, Halifax, Portland, Argentia Newfoundland and back to Reykjavik. 
   “We value all of the ocean carriers calling on Halifax. Eimskip has carved out a strong business in the refrigerated cargo sector, specifically focusing on the frozen seafood market between North Europe, Atlantic Canada, and the New England states,” said Karen Oldfield, president and CEO of Halifax Port Authority. “The addition of a third vessel to Eimskip’s Green Line will certainly be welcome news for Eimskip’s existing customers and will create new global supply chain opportunities.”