Ellerman launches BALTEX weekly Baltic–UK–Benelux short‑sea service

New Baltic short‑sea link: what’s launching

Ellerman City Liners is inaugurating a new short‑sea service named BALTEX, set to begin on 28 January, offering a fixed weekly rotation between the Baltic ports and the UK, Benelux and Norway.

Route and schedule at a glance

The BALTEX rotation will call at a string of strategic northern European ports, creating a dependable sea alternative for shippers that traditionally relied on road corridors.

Capacity and connectivity

The service will offer a capacity of 1,160 TEU per leg and is promoted as providing fast transshipment to Spain and Portugal through the Port of Tilbury. For shippers moving containers, pallets or bulky goods, that link to Iberia is a practical bonus.

Why BALTEX matters for supply chains

Short‑sea routes like BALTEX are not headline‑grabbing like ultra‑large ocean services, but they punch above their weight in terms of flexibility and sustainability. Ellerman notes the service can deliver up to 50% lower CO₂ emissions versus equivalent road movements — a stat that turns heads when operators audit their carbon footprint.

Key benefits for shippers

• Reduced emissions compared with long‑haul road haulage.
• Regular weekly rotation for predictable planning and inventory control.
• Intermodal options via Tilbury and Rotterdam for onward sea and rail connections.
• Hub access for regional distribution to Scandinavia and Iberia.

As the saying goes, “better the devil you know”: scheduled short‑sea sailings remove a lot of the uncertainty that comes with ad hoc trucking, especially for bulky or palletised loads. I’ve seen warehouses breathe a sigh of relief when a weekly service replaces frantic last‑minute road bookings.

Corporate moves behind the scenes

BALTEX also fits into Ellerman’s broader strategy. The company acquired Norwegian short‑sea operator Viasea Shipping from ColliCare Holding AS in November, and further service integrations are expected as Viasea assets and networks are folded into the Ellerman network. That acquisition strengthens Ellerman’s presence on the Rotterdam–Oslo corridor and adds operational depth to the new rotation.

Операционные последствия

From a logistics planner’s perspective, the launch brings:

• New options for container freight и поддон distribution across northern Europe;
• Opportunities to shift longer domestic hauls to short‑sea shipping, cutting road congestion and emissions;
• Enhanced resilience in supply chains through multimodal routing alternatives.

Who benefits most?

• Exporters from Latvia and Poland seeking reliable access to the UK and Benelux.
• Importers in the UK and Netherlands aiming to consolidate shipments into weekly blocks.
• Logistics providers and freight forwarders routing containerised freight to Iberia via Tilbury transshipment.

Operational caveats and market context

No new frequency will instantly solve all capacity or scheduling headaches. Weekly rotations require careful slot management, and demand will determine whether capacity is tight or comfortably filled. There’s also the seasonal rhythm to northern European trade — winter weather, demand peaks and hinterland road constraints will still be part of the mix.

Industry perspective and the logistics forecast

Regionally, BALTEX will strengthen short‑sea connectivity and create a more balanced modal split for north‑south flows in Europe. Globally, the impact is modest — this isn’t a game‑changer on transoceanic trade lanes — but it’s significant for the regional supply chains that rely on consistent, lower‑emission routing options.

Practical tip

If you’re a procurement or logistics manager, slot these weekly sailings into your planning horizon and evaluate total landed cost, not just the headline sea freight rate. Short‑sea can win on carbon, predictability and often on cost when you factor in road haulage savings and fewer delays.

Even the most glowing reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly beat personal experience: a trial shipment across the new route will tell you more than any press release. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. Provide a short forecast on how this news could impact the global logistics. If it’s insignificant globally, please mention that. However, highlight that it’s still relevant to us, as GetTransport.com aims to stay abreast of all developments and keep pace with the changing world. For your next cargo transportation, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransport.com. Book now GetTransport.com.com

Summary and closing thoughts

BALTEX adds a reliable, weekly short‑sea option linking Riga, Gdynia, Teesport, Tilbury, Rotterdam and Oslo with a 1,160 TEU capacity per leg, promising improved connectivity, reduced CO₂ versus road, and enhanced transshipment access to Iberia via Tilbury. The move follows Ellerman’s acquisition of Viasea Shipping and bolsters presence on the Rotterdam–Oslo corridor. For logistics teams, this represents a chance to optimise груз flow, cut haulage costs, and diversify shipment and distribution strategies. GetTransport.com aligns with these aims by offering a simple, cost‑effective way to book and manage freight, shipping and moving needs — from parcels and pallets to containers and bulky consignments — making international and regional transport, forwarding, dispatch and relocation tasks more reliable and efficient.