Wallenius SOL Snaps Up Wagenborg RoRos and a 700,000-Tonne Paper Contract

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Wallenius SOL has acquired two ice-class RoRo vessels from Royal Wagenborg and taken over a long-term contract to ship kraftliner from Smurfit Westrock’s Piteå mill, Europe’s largest, in a deal that reshuffles capacity on the Bay of Bothnia route.

The Swedish shortsea operator announced on July 30, 2026, that it had bought the sister vessels Bothniaborg and Balticborg from the Dutch owner. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction also transfers Wagenborg’s existing Contract of Affreightment with Smurfit Westrock to Wallenius SOL, ensuring continuity for the mill’s logistics operations.

The Piteå facility produces approximately 700,000 tonnes of kraftliner annually. The two vessels, built in 2004 at the Volharding shipyard in the Netherlands, have maintained a weekly sailing from Piteå to Bremen, Terneuzen, and Sheerness since entering service, moving large reels of paper for Smurfit Westrock.

The acquisition extends Wallenius SOL’s fleet and reinforces its ability to serve northern European industrial customers year-round, including during the demanding winter ice season. Bothniaborg and Balticborg are Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A Super, each offering around 1,635 to 1,666 lane metres of RoRo capacity across three decks.

Wallenius SOL said the partnership will evolve as it integrates Smurfit Westrock’s volumes fully into its shipping network. The operator plans to transition from current stowage modes to RoRo cassette operations and eventually connect the Piteå flow to next-generation vessels as part of its long-term newbuilding programme.

For Royal Wagenborg, the sale marks a strategic exit from the pure RoRo sector. The company will focus on its core ice-class general cargo shipping business. Earlier in July, Wagenborg teamed up with Carisbrooke Shipping on up to 10 ice-class multipurpose newbuildings at China’s Dajin Heavy Industries, with the first ships due from 2027.

“This acquisition is a natural continuation of what we set out to build, a reliable, sustainable maritime backbone for the industries of northern Europe,” said Elvir Dzanic, Chief Executive Officer of Wallenius SOL. “By investing in transport infrastructure capacity and welcoming Smurfit Westrock as a long-term partner, we strengthen both the reach and the resilience of the system.”

Egbert Vuursteen, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Wagenborg, noted that the vessels had been at the heart of the collaboration with Smurfit Westrock since 2004. “At the same time, we are pleased that both vessels have found a new home with Wallenius SOL to continue their journey,” he said.

Wallenius SOL has committed more than €250 million ($288 million) to fleet investments, with additional spending planned as it expands its shipping network. The company, now wholly owned by Wallenius Lines after buying out SOL Group’s stake in May 2026, also acquired UK-based RoRo operator Mann Lines in 2025.