Boluda Shipping is to acquire Rotterdam-based logistics company Samskip in a move designed to strengthen Boluda’s presence in European short-sea shipping, and expand its footprint into West Africa.
The deal will unite the maritime and logistics capabilities of the two companies into a network of 32 vessels covering 18 routes in 28 countries. The expanded network will link Northern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and West Africa, with support from 21 maritime terminals, five rail terminals and a fleet of more than 500 owned trucks.
The combined operation would handle some 35,000 containers, with annual logistics throughput of more than 750,000 teu, Boluda Shipping said. The company also plans to invest in the expanded network to increase capacity and connections throughout its service area.
The acquisition is subject to the required approvals and the satisfaction of applicable conditions. The transaction is expected to close on 1 January 2027, subject to the satisfaction of such conditions.
Samskip’s face changed with previous acquisition of CLdN
The deal follows a separate transaction earlier in 2026 when CLdN acquired Samskip’s quay-to-quay and door-to-door freight services between continental Europe and the UK and Ireland.
That deal was for Samskip’s operations between Rotterdam and the UK and Ireland and accounts for more than 1,000 port calls a year. At the time of the divestment, Samskip chief executive Ólafur Orri Ólafsson said the sale would enable the company to concentrate on its core strategic markets.
Boluda’s proposed acquisition would also integrate the remaining Samskip assets and operations into a larger maritime and logistics platform, with the services carved out.
Rotterdam to be key in Boluda expansion
Boluda has selected Rotterdam as a strategic center for its future growth. The acquisition will add to the company’s existing presence in the towage, maritime transport and logistics sectors in Northern Europe, the company said.
The Dutch port city is expected to become a major hub for coordinating and developing services across the combined network, facilitating links between European and West African markets.
Boluda Shipping is based in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, and runs a network between the Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, Italy, Northern Europe, the west coast of Africa and Cape Verde. Its current operations are primarily in Mediterranean and short sea services.
Boluda and Samskip also operate short-sea shipping services in Spain, including routes from Santander to the UK and Ireland.
Samskip leadership and brand remain part of integration process
Ólafsson, who took over as CEO of Samskip in December 2025, is expected to be deeply involved in the integration. “He will continue to play an important role with his experience and supporting the Samskip teams as the businesses come together,” said Boluda.
The company, however, has not said what his role will be after the integration period.
The future of the Samskip brand and its heritage is yet to be fully defined. “The brand’s legacy would remain a key part of the combined business,” Boluda said, without giving details on whether Samskip would retain its current name.
Boluda looks for bigger scale in European short sea shipping
The acquisition, said Executive Chairman Ignacio Boluda Ceballos, supports Boluda Shipping’s ambition to become a leading player in European short-sea shipping.
Moller said the combination of Samskip’s network and expertise with the maritime and logistics capabilities of Boluda would give the scale and opportunities to strengthen the company’s competitive position. He also pointed to the prospect of strengthening links across Europe and with West Africa, while maintaining an emphasis on operational efficiency, reliability and customer service.”
“This is a natural fit between two family-owned businesses with long-standing experience in transport, shared values and a long-term outlook,” Ólafsson said.
The complementary capabilities of the companies offer an opportunity to grow their services while maintaining the expertise, commitment and service standards that their customers have come to rely on, said the Samskip CEO.
The acquisition is thus a key element in Boluda Shipping’s expansion strategy, linking maritime transport, terminal infrastructure, rail facilities and road haulage in a wider European network. The ultimate outcome of this will be contingent upon the closing of the deal and the integration of the operations of the two firms.
