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Transfennica Shows Confidence: 5 Weekly Calls on Bilbao Starting 17th September - ..."5 weekly calls creates additional opportunities for our operations to maximise volume and to take full benefit of the cost savings. ..."

AMSTERDAM -- 28th August 2009 -- Following Transfennica's announcement made last June, it has been decided today that MV Caroline Russ will be added to the Zeebrugge-Bilbao service as of 17th September resulting in 5 sailings per week in both directions.

Transfennica started the Iberia route exactly 2 years ago, supported by Marco Polo subsidies, with 2 vessels operating in a pattern of 3 sailings per week in each direction. By adding a third, similar vessel, with equivalent capacity and speed, the total number of sailings will increase from 3 to 5 per week with a transit time of 38 hours.

A large number of existing and potential customers have reacted very positive on this development. The owner of J.A. Chine, Mr. Juan Antonio Chine, a supporter from the beginning, is commenting: "5 weekly calls creates additional opportunities for our operations to maximise volume and to take full benefit of the cost savings. With 3 calls, we still had some problems in balancing the ports and meeting transit times but with the increase to 5 calls this will strongly improve. For us there are fewer reasons left to use the road being faced with the difficulty of the 48-hour working week, expensive toll roads, traffic jams and restrictions imposed by European and local laws. We consider this service as an excellent alternative". In addition to unaccompanied trailers, Transfennica's Iberia service is ideal for (tank) containers.

Den Hartogh Liquid Logistics’ Operations Manager Intermodal Mr. Jacques Pluis adds: "Due to the high frequency we have a much better turnaround time of our expensive equipment which gives us opportunities to serve a bigger market. It is therefore that we predict a good increase in the number of containers that will be shipped via the Iberia service. A large share of our activities concern hazardous chemicals and of course sea transportation is safer than road so that benefit comes on top of all the others".

The increased number of sailings will also benefit the heavy, oversized cargoes which have difficulties passing France by road due to a number of limitations and permits needed. Mr. Michael van den Heuvel, Director of Transfennica, comments: "We stick to the promise we made in June. Although the market rates are presently on a low level, our customers, when using the Iberia service, can still realise savings on their transport cost. The additional sailings will increase options to minimise going by road and switch entirely to an efficient unaccompanied operation. We are determined to further develop this route and once the 3rd vessel has been in operation for a few months we will start to evaluate the options for a 4th vessel, resulting in daily departures in both directions."

About the Spliethoff Group of Companies

The Spliethoff Group, established in 1921, is one of the largest ship owners in the Netherlands. Today, Spliethoff possesses a fleet of 50 vessels, varying between 11,000 and 20,000 tons and are trading world wide. Each vessel bears the name of a famous canal in Amsterdam. The Spliethoff Group further consists of heavy lift carrier Big Lift and Transfennica operating scheduled services RO/RO vessels. Also Wijnne & Barends and Sevenstar are part of the Spliethoff Group. Including chartered vessels, the Spliethoff Group controls a fleet of more than 100.

For more information and interviews please contact:

Transfennica Nederland B.V.
Radarweg 36
1042 AA Amsterdam
Karel van Zijl
Tel. +31 65 13 39 867
kvz@transfennica.com
www.spliethoff.com
www.transfennica.com

Submitted by: LogisticsWorld
news@logisticsworld.com, 9/20/2009 3:17:42 AM

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