Deep-sea shipping link could provide regular Asia-Tyne link

Hopes have been raised that a Norwegian shipping firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logisitics (WWL) will operate a specialist link between Asia and the Port of Tyne.

The first shipment of construction equipment arrived in Newcastle recently, having sailed 8,000 nautical miles over 30 days, from Japan, then Singapore, Izmir (Turkey) via the Suez canal and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

While Port of Tyne is not a regular port of call for WWL, current demand has lead to hope the Tyne could become part of the firm’s Asia to Europe route.

Steven Harrison, Port of Tyne chief operating officer, said: “This has been introduced to meet the demands of plant and heavy equipment manufacturers who wish to move their cargo via the Port.

“This brings added connectivity to the Port of Tyne with a new RoRo service to our portfolio.

“In addition, it shows future possibilities of WWL providing flexibility and solutions for companies wishing to trade directly from the North East to various overseas markets.“

Paul Reeves, managing director, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics UK, said: “WWL’s regular RoRo service from Asia to Europe via the Suez and Panama canals is now enhanced by a direct vessel calling to the Port of Tyne that is connected to solid inland distribution services to the entire UK market and Ireland thanks to the strong presence and service capabilities of WWL ALS, responsible for the WWL UK inland network services.”

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