Boluda Shipping and Samskip have signed an agreement under which Boluda Shipping will acquire Samskip. The companies describe the combined business as Europe's most comprehensive short-sea shipping network linking Northern Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa. The transaction is expected to be completed on 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfilment of customary closing conditions. The amount was not disclosed in the sources.
The acquisition brings together two long-established family-owned transport and logistics businesses and builds on an existing relationship developed through joint services in Spain. According to the companies, combining their networks and expertise will allow them to offer customers greater connectivity, additional capacity and more efficient and reliable logistics services.
Boluda Shipping contributes a maritime heritage, a strong position in harbour towage, an established container shipping operation and port logistics expertise. Samskip adds a presence across Northern Europe, multimodal transport capabilities, customer relationships and specialist market knowledge.
Following completion, the combined operation is expected to comprise 32 vessels operating across 18 routes and serving markets in 28 countries, supported by 21 maritime terminals, five rail terminals and a fleet of more than 500 company-owned trucks. The businesses are expected to handle around 35,000 containers and achieve annual logistics throughput exceeding 750,000 TEUs. The network will integrate maritime, rail and road transport services, with terminals coordinating cargo movements. The companies also highlighted environmental benefits from combining sea and rail freight with road collection and delivery, reducing CO₂ emissions compared with road-only transport.
The acquisition strengthens Boluda Shipping's presence in Northern Europe, where the group already operates through its shipping and towage divisions. Rotterdam is expected to become a strategic hub for the combined business. The Samskip brand and its Icelandic heritage will be retained, and Ólafur Orri Ólafsson will remain Chief Executive Officer of Samskip and support the integration process after completion. Until the deal closes, both companies will continue to operate independently.