Ellerman City Liners acquires Viasea Shipping. Building a new powerhouse in European shortsea shipping

Strengthening Europe’s shortsea backbone

Founded in 2016, Viasea Shipping has emerged as one of the most agile and customer-focused shortsea operators in Northern Europe. The company runs regular services between the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, and Lithuania, with offices in Moss, Rotterdam, Gdynia, Klaipeda, and Immingham.

Over just nine years, Viasea has grown from a niche challenger into a key operator in the Port of Oslo, promoting a clear mission — shifting cargo from road to sea to reduce emissions and congestion across European trade corridors.

Strategic synergy between Ellerman and Viasea

The acquisition marks a key step in Ellerman City Liners’ European growth strategy. By integrating Viasea’s shortsea expertise and northern routes with Ellerman’s strong UK and continental presence, the group aims to offer a seamless, greener, and more resilient logistics network.

Iain Liddell, founder and managing director of GB Global, emphasized the transformative nature of the deal:

- This acquisition isn’t just about expansion — it’s about redefining the future of shortsea shipping. By combining Ellerman’s UK logistics strength with Viasea’s operational agility and sustainable approach, we are creating a European network built on speed, reliability, and greener solutions.

Peter Andrews, managing director of Ellerman City Liners, highlighted the operational potential:

- This move completes another vital piece of our European logistics puzzle. Together with Viasea, we can deliver a truly door-to-door service, integrating sea, rail, and road to exceed customer expectations and set new benchmarks for connectivity and efficiency.

Shared values: sustainability, innovation, and customer focus

For both companies, sustainability is more than a trend — it is a strategic foundation. Viasea’s philosophy of transferring freight from roads to waterways aligns directly with GB Global’s long-term environmental objectives.

Knut Sollund, CEO of ColliCare Holding AS, commented:

- The vision behind Viasea was to move cargo flows from roads to the sea. After years of continuous growth, joining a larger international group like GB Global gives Viasea the opportunity to scale its mission and reach new markets.

Morten Pettersen, managing director of Viasea Shipping, added:

- Becoming part of GB Global through Ellerman City Liners is a natural evolution for us. We share the same values of customer service, innovation, and sustainable logistics — and together, we can grow without compromising our flexibility and close client relationships.

Expanding the network and strengthening connectivity

The acquisition will deliver significant benefits for customers and partners across the continent, including:

• Expanded shortsea coverage across major Northern European ports
• Greener alternatives to road transport and reduced CO₂ emissions
• Integrated rail connections linking Poland, Hungary, and Romania
• Improved schedule reliability and service integration
• Greater operational flexibility and customer-centric service design

Through GB Global’s worldwide network and resources, Ellerman City Liners and Viasea will accelerate innovation, streamline supply chains, and leverage economies of scale to strengthen Europe’s multimodal logistics ecosystem.

Implications for the Baltic region

The move is particularly relevant for the Baltic Sea region, where ports such as Gdynia and Klaipeda are gaining strategic importance in European trade flows. The integration of Viasea’s Baltic and North Sea routes with Ellerman’s network will enhance connectivity between Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the UK, supporting greener logistics corridors across the continent.

At a time when European shippers face growing regulatory and environmental challenges, shortsea shipping is reclaiming its position as a sustainable and economically resilient alternative. The Ellerman–Viasea partnership signals a renewed commitment to building a smarter, greener, and better-connected maritime Europe.