Scandlines Shipping Company has, together with Intercontainer-Interfrigo (ICF), been successful in setting up a new combined transport link between Italy and Scandinavia via the Sea Port of Rostock. The first Intercontainer-Interfrigo (ICF) combi-train will leave Verona for Rostock on 1 March 2003.

As a European operator, Intercontainer-Interfrigo (ICF) arranges combined transport using containers, swap tanks and trailers, as well as refrigerated transport and special freight cars.

Scandlines and ICF intend, together with the partner ports of Rostock and Trelleborg, to gradually increase the number of trains from the initial two to 5 per week.  An important requirement for realising this project was the extension of the ferry ship, the “Mecklenburg –Vorpommern”.

The “Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” has been extended and converted at the “Remontova” shipyard in Poland. The vessel is scheduled to resume operation on the Rostock – Trelleborg line on 10 March 2003. Following the extension work, the ferry will offer a cargo capacity of 3,200 load metres.

 “This increased capacity enables us to realise this first major project in the area of combined transport. Others will follow”, comments Gerald Lefold, Sweden Line Manager at Scandlines Shipping Line. Scandlines is now also in a position to give more extensive quotations for the rail market, which is currently undergoing liberalisation.

Rostock, 28 February 2003