Finnlines launches weekly Bilbao-Gdynia service to boost European connections

 

The shipping company Finnlines has officially inaugurated its freight transport service between the Port of Bilbao and the Polish port of Gdynia, a route that will operate weekly with scheduled departures on Saturdays. Representation in Bilbao is in charge of Toro and Betolaza Consignments.

 

This new maritime link aims to Strengthen logistical connections between Northern and Western Europe, consolidating the strategic role from the Basque port within the extensive intermodal network of the Grimaldi Group.

 

A boost to intermodality and sustainability

 

The presentation, held on Friday, October 10, 2025 in Bilbao, was attended by Blasco Majorana, Finnlines Line Manager; Ivan Jimenez Aira, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao; Gorka Zabala, General Director of Toro and Betolaza Consignments, and Monika Krzepkowska, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Spain.

 

Blasco Majorana He stressed that the route "strengthens connections between northern and western Europe" and "constitutes a cost-effective and practical intermodal alternative to road transport for goods originating or destined for Poland to or from Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Finland." Furthermore, the head of Finnlines' North Sea and Spain lines stressed the strategic value of this route, since "it allows Poland to be connected directly with the Grimaldi Group's global network, offering links to the Far East, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States." With this initiative, Finnlines "reaffirms its commitment to the development of sustainable solutions, the drive for innovation and the provision of reliable logistics services."

 

This new line connects Poland directly to the Grimaldi Group's global network, offering links to the Far East, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.

 

 

Gorka Zabala, from Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza, emphasized the relevance of this service for the European logistics chain, highlighting that the connection is operated with the hybrid ships of the class FinnecoThese ships are capable of "reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90%" and can transport efficiency "Roll-on and project cargo, containers, vehicles and a wide range of other types of merchandise." Zabala concluded that they are talking about "a future that is already present: a more sustainable, innovative and competitive maritime transport".

 

For its part, Ivan Jimenez Aira, president of the Port Authority of Bilbao, stated that the connection ro-ro with Poland represents "a great opportunity for companies seeking to expand their presence in the Central European market", also allowing "operators diversify their routes"and becoming "an agile and efficient alternative to attract merchandise that travels by road."

 

State-of-the-art vessels for a smaller carbon footprint

 

The service has been operating since the end of last June with three hybrid RoRo vessels of the Eco Class: Finneco I, Finneco II and Finneco IIIThese vessels are designed for a wide range of cargoes, including roll-on/roll-off, break bulk, container and project cargo, offering one of the lowest carbon footprints on the market.

 

Sustainability is its main feature, with advanced technology that includes lithium-ion batteries for maneuvers and stay in port with zero emissions, 600 m2 of solar, optimized hull design and an innovative system of air bubbles which reduces hydrodynamic friction. Each vessel's carrying capacity reaches 420 semi-trailers or 2.500 vehicles.

 

As part of the reinforcement of this service, Finnlines has also incorporated platforms MAFi of about 25 meters with integrated rails, designed for the transport of non-standardized cargo such as trains and wagons, increasing flexibility and logistical efficiency.