Boluda buys Samskip: Europe’s new shortsea giant takes shape
The €1.2bn deal will create a 32-ship network spanning 28 countries and 750,000 TEU a year.
Boluda Shipping has agreed to acquire Icelandic shortsea carrier Samskip, creating what the Spanish group calls “the most comprehensive independent shortsea container network in Europe”. The deal, expected to close on 1 January 2026, will combine 32 ships, 21 container terminals and 500 trucks to serve 28 countries from Northern Europe to West Africa.
Boluda, the world’s largest marine towage and tugboat operator with a fleet of 850 vessels, is in its 200th year of family ownership. The company, which traces its roots to Valencia, has expanded aggressively in recent years, acquiring French towage specialist Les Abeilles International, Ukrainian operator LBSH, Australian firm Mackenzie Marine and the towage assets of Singapore’s Seatrium Group.
Network expansion: 18 routes, 28 countries, 750,000 TEU: Boluda
The merged entity will operate 18 routes connecting Northern Europe with the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa. The network will include 21 container terminals, five rail terminals and a fleet of 500 company-owned trucks for last-mile drayage.
“We see significant potential to strengthen connections across Europe and with West Africa, while continuing to focus on efficiency, reliability and service for our customers,” said Ignacio Boluda Ceballos, CEO of Boluda Shipping. The merger is subject to regulatory approval and the fulfilment of agreed conditions, but both companies have expressed confidence in a smooth integration.
Samskip, also a family-owned business, brings multimodal expertise and a strong presence in Northern Europe. Icelandic carrier operates a network that spans Scandinavia, the Baltic, the UK and the Benelux countries, while Boluda’s existing shortsea services connect Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands with North Africa and Southern Europe. The combined network will offer shippers a seamless multimodal solution, integrating maritime, rail and road transport under a single provider.
Rotterdam as the strategic hub
Rotterdam will serve as the operational heart of the new network. Boluda opened new offices in the Dutch city in June 2026, reinforcing its commitment to Northern Europe. Samskip, which already uses Rotterdam as a key hub, will contribute its existing infrastructure, including terminals and rail connections, to the merged group. The port’s central location and deep-water access make it an ideal base for coordinating services across Northern Europe and beyond.
Ólafur Orri Ólafsson, CEO of Samskip, emphasised the shared values of the two family-owned companies. “Samskip and Boluda are two family-owned companies with a long track record in transport, shared values and a long-term vision,” he said. “That common ground gives us confidence in the opportunity ahead. By bringing our complementary strengths together, we can expand what we offer our customers while building on the expertise, commitment and service they rely on every day.”
Boluda’s acquisition of Samskip follows a pattern of strategic expansion, as the company continues to diversify beyond its core towage business. The deal is expected to position the combined group as a major player in the European logistics market, offering end-to-end solutions that span maritime, rail and road transport.
The integration process will begin immediately, with both companies working to align their operations and systems ahead of the 1 January 2026 closing date. Regulatory approvals are expected to be the main hurdle, but industry analysts anticipate few obstacles given the complementary nature of the two businesses. Once completed, the merger will create a logistics powerhouse with a presence in more than 230 ports worldwide, further cementing Boluda’s position as a global leader in maritime services.
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