Port access- The new weekly Ro-Ro service connects Northern and Western Europe, offering an intermodal alternative that is more efficient and sustainable than road transport.
- This new route links Poland directly to the Grimaldi Group’s global network, providing connections to the Far East, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.
- Operated by the Finneco-class hybrid vessels, the service enables the transport of rolling cargo, breakbulk, containers, vehicles, and project cargo with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the market.
Finnlines, a subsidiary of the Grimaldi Group operating in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, presented today its new weekly freight service between the Port of Bilbao and the Polish port of Gdynia. The line, departing every Saturday, is represented in Bilbao by Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza and reinforces the port’s strategic role within the Grimaldi Group’s intermodal network, combining operational efficiency with environmental sustainability.
The presentation was attended by Blasco Majorana, Finnlines Line Manager; Iván Jiménez Aira, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao; Gorka Zabala, General Manager of Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza; and Monika Krzepkowska, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Spain.
According to Blasco Majorana, this new route “strengthens connections between Northern and Western Europe, opening up new opportunities for more efficient and sustainable freight transport. It also provides a cost-effective and practical intermodal alternative to road haulage for goods moving to and from Poland, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Finland.”
The North Sea and Spain Line Manager also highlighted that this new connection “links Poland directly to the Grimaldi Group’s global network, offering connections with the Far East, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.”
“With this new service, Finnlines reaffirms its commitment to developing sustainable solutions, driving innovation and delivering reliable logistics services,” he concluded.
Gorka Zabala, General Manager of Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza, remarked that this service “represents a highly significant step for the European logistics chain. The new service we are presenting today highlights the value of the latest-generation Finneco-class hybrid vessels, capable of reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 90%, while efficiently transporting Ro-Ro and project cargo, containers, vehicles and a wide variety of additional goods. We are talking about a future that has already become present: a more sustainable, innovative and competitive maritime transport”.
“For Toro y Betolaza, which has been representing its services for more than half a century, it is a privilege to share this journey and contribute with our experience and capabilities”, Zabala concluded”.
Monika Krzepkowska, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Spain, emphasized that “today we can celebrate a modern maritime connection between Gdynia and Bilbao, between Poland and Spain, effectively linking the two ends of Europe. The second-largest port in Poland, thanks to its modernization and the development of the European transport corridors, continues to serve as a vital bridge between the Baltic and the Atlantic. This new route therefore represents much more than a logistical link — it is a commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible transport, a commitment to an integrated economy and to a truly interconnected Europe, where distances are shortened and opportunities multiplied.”
Finally, Iván Jiménez Aira, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao, stated that “this new Ro-Ro connection with Poland represents a major opportunity for companies seeking to expand their presence in Central Europe, while enabling operators to diversify their routes. It also becomes an agile and efficient alternative to attract cargo currently transported by road.”
“With this strategic initiative, the Grimaldi Group and Finnlines, supported by Consignaciones Toro y Betolaza, strengthen the Port of Bilbao’s position as a key hub in Atlantic trade, offering integrated solutions for companies operating along the Spain–Eastern Europe corridor,” he concluded.
Low-emission sea transport
Finnlines continues to lead sustainable maritime transport. Its state-of-the-art vessels provide some of the most environmentally friendly solutions on the market, achieving up to 90% reductions in CO₂ emissions on demand.
The service has been operated since late June with three next-generation hybrid Ro-Ro vessels designed to carry a wide range of cargo types, including rolling cargo, breakbulk, containers, vehicles, and project cargo. These vessels have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the market thanks to the use of lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, an optimized hull design and an innovative air-bubble lubrication system that reduces hydrodynamic friction.
The three sister vessels operating this route —Finneco I, Finneco II, and Finneco III— are “a tangible demonstration of Finnlines’ and the Grimaldi Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Blasco Majorana.
Each vessel has a cargo capacity of up to 420 trailers or 2,500 vehicles. They belong to the Eco Class, which incorporates the most advanced technology: lithium batteries for zero-emission operations during port stays, 600 m² of solar panels providing renewable electricity on board, and energy-efficiency systems including an innovative hull lubrication process that optimizes hydrodynamics.
As part of this service enhancement, Finnlines has also introduced new 80-foot MAFI platforms with integrated rails, specifically designed to facilitate the transport of non-standard cargo —such as trains and wagons— with greater efficiency and flexibility.
