RoPax13

38 / INTERVIEW
Headquartered in Västerås, a prominent
port situated on the shores of Mälaren
Lake in the Stockholm metropolitan region,
Lakeway Link is poised to redefine
maritime logistics. In a recent interview
with CEO Fredrik Hermansson, RoPax
gained insights into the company‘s innovative
approach.
RoPax: Your new maritime service
presents an intriguing solution. Could
you elaborate on your partnership with
Wallenius and Greencarrier?
Fredrik Hermansson: Wallenius and
Greencarrier, both privately owned
entities, epitomize a shared ethos rooted in
family ownership. Wallenius boasts a
distinguished pedigree with affiliations
such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen and
Wallenius SOL, alongside collaborations
with UECC and NYK in Japan. The collaboration
between Wallenius and Greencarrier
arose organically, driven by mutual
values and a shared commitment to
sustainability. This alliance seeks to
harness waterways as a viable alternative
for cargo transportation, particularly
considering recent challenges like adverse
weather conditions and driver shortages
across Europe.
Introducing Lakeway Link:
The New RoRo Route
Connecting Poland to Sweden
Lakeway Link is set to inaugurate a distinctive maritime route
between Poland and Sweden dedicated to cargo transportation.
This route will link Gdynia to Södertälje, with plans to
extend service to Västerås through the scenic Mälaren Lake.
The maiden vessel on this route, the RoRo ship „Miramar
Express,“ will be rechristened as the „Lakeway Express.“
Lakewaylink
RoPax: Despite the vessel‘s capacity to
accommodate up to 12 drivers, you‘ve
opted against having them onboard.
Could you shed light on this decision?
Fredrik Hermansson: Our decision is
consistent with our overall environmental
goals. “Lakeway Express” has room for
drivers, but our focus is to minimize
emissions and maximize efficiency. We see
a future where collaboration takes place
between different truck transport companies,
alternatively the companies have
their own stationary drivers in both
Sweden and Poland, like those that have
already started to be implemented by
several companies during the covid-19
pandemic, which make operations more
efficient. As pioneers on the East Coast, we
aim to complement initiatives taken by
companies such as DFDS on the West
Coast. By prioritizing Port-to-Port
solutions based on unaccompanied truck
transports, we strive to optimize our
environmental footprint.
RoPax: How do you perceive competition
with existing Polish operators,
given their emphasis on RoPax services?
Fredrik Hermansson: There‘s minimal
overlap in our respective markets. While
Polish operators cater predominantly to
passenger traffic, our niche lies in, RoRo,
and project cargo. Our strategic departure
points from Södertälje and later Västerås
set us apart, ensuring efficient handling of
trailers and project cargo. We‘re committed
to delivering exceptional service
RoPax 13 / 05.2024