Boluda Shipping has signed an agreement to acquire Samskip, the Dutch-headquartered short-sea and multimodal logistics company, the two family-owned groups said on 28 October 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why Boluda Shipping is buying Samskip
The companies said the deal will build Europe's most comprehensive short-sea network, linking northern Europe with the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa, and combining maritime, rail and road transport. Boluda plans to invest in capacity and new connections.
Deal terms and financing
Boluda will acquire Samskip in full. Samskip chief executive Ólafur Orri Ólafsson will remain in his role and lead the integration. The two companies already operate joint services in Spain.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Closing is expected on 1 January 2027, subject to approval by the relevant authorities and agreed closing conditions. The companies will operate independently until then.
Market context
On completion the network will comprise 32 vessels, 18 routes, services in 28 countries, 21 maritime terminals, five rail terminals, more than 500 company-owned trucks and about 35,000 containers, handling more than 750,000 TEU a year. Samskip sold its UK–Ireland freight business to CLdN earlier in 2026.
