Boluda Shipping and Samskip have signed an agreement under which Boluda Shipping will acquire Samskip, including all its assets and operations. The acquisition will pave the way for Europe’s most comprehensive short-sea shipping network, connecting Northern Europe with the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa.
By bringing together the strengths, expertise and best practices of both organisations, the integration aims to deliver more connections, greater capacity and more efficient, reliable services for customers.
The transaction is expected to close on 1 January 2027, subject to approval by the relevant authorities and fulfilment of the agreed closing conditions.
The agreement marks an important milestone for both companies, bringing together two family-owned businesses with long histories in transport and logistics, shared values and complementary strengths. For both businesses, the agreement represents an opportunity to build on their existing capabilities, expand the connections available to customers and create a stronger platform for long-term growth.
Following completion, the combined network is expected to comprise 32 vessels operating 18 routes and connecting markets in 28 countries. Its 21 maritime terminals will link these corridors and bring maritime and land transport services closer to major centres of production and consumption. This network on land will be further strengthened by its 5 rail terminals and more than 500 company-owned trucks. The network is also expected to handle a total of 35,000 containers, representing annual logistics throughput of more than 750,000 TEUs.
Ignacio Boluda Ceballos, Executive Chairman of Boluda Shipping, said:
“We have a clear vision: to lead European short sea shipping and make our network a competitive advantage for the businesses that place their trust in us. Bringing Samskip’s network and expertise together with our maritime and logistics capabilities gives us the scale and opportunities to take that ambition further. We see significant potential to strengthen connections across Europe and with West Africa, while continuing to focus on efficiency, reliability and service for our customers.”
Ólafur Orri Ólafsson, CEO of Samskip, said:
“Samskip and Boluda are two family-owned companies with a long track record in transport, shared values and a long-term vision. That common ground gives us confidence in the opportunity ahead. By bringing our complementary strengths together, we can expand what we offer our customers while building on the expertise, commitment and service they rely on every day.”
Complementary strengths and a stronger network for customers and markets
Boluda and Samskip already have an established relationship through their joint services in Spain. This cooperation has helped the companies understand each other’s businesses and identify opportunities to combine their strengths.
Boluda brings a long maritime heritage, a strong position in towage, an established container shipping business and extensive expertise in port logistics.
Samskip contributes its established position in Northern Europe, its multimodal expertise, its extensive customer relationships and its knowledge of the markets it serves.
Together, their capabilities will support more comprehensive and efficient end-to-end logistics services, offering customers greater connectivity and access to more markets. The combined network will connect maritime, rail and road transport, with terminals playing a key role in coordinating the movement of goods across the logistics chain.
Combining sea and rail transport with road services for the collection and delivery of goods can also help reduce CO₂ emissions compared with road-only transport.
Building on the multimodal model that has been central to its development over the past decade, Boluda Shipping intends to invest in the combined network, strengthening capacity, expanding connections and laying the foundations for the next phase of growth for both companies and their customers.
Rotterdam and Northern Europe: Key to Future Growth
The acquisition builds on Boluda’s expansion in Northern Europe, where the company has maintained a strong presence for several years through Boluda Towage’s harbour towage operations and Boluda Shipping’s maritime transport and logistics activities. The inauguration of its new offices in Rotterdam last June further reinforced this commitment and highlighted the region’s importance for its international development.
For Samskip, headquartered in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is also a key hub for its operations. The experience of both organisations in the region will make Rotterdam a strategic location for the development and coordination of services across the combined network.
Bringing together expertise and experience
The opportunity created by the agreement extends beyond routes, vessels and infrastructure. Both companies bring experienced teams, established customer relationships and operational knowledge built over many years.
The purpose of the integration is to bring together the strengths and best practices of both organizations across operations, management systems and customer service, while identifying opportunities to develop the combined network and create further opportunities for customers and professionals.
Samskip’s brand, Icelandic origins and established recognition in its markets will remain an important part of the story of the combined business. Ólafur Orri Ólafsson will continue to play a key role going forward, contributing his experience while supporting Samskip’s teams throughout the integration under the new ownership.
Looking ahead
The agreement is subject to approval by the relevant authorities and fulfilment of the agreed closing conditions. Until the transaction closes, Samskip and Boluda will continue to operate independently and in accordance with the applicable requirements.
The transaction is expected to close on 1 January 2027. Until then, both companies will remain focused on their customers, service quality and teams, while preparing to combine their capabilities and develop a broader, more efficient and reliable network connecting Europe and West Africa.
