Ellerman City Liners, part of GB Global, has acquired Viasea Shipping from ColliCare Holding AS.
Viasea, a Norwegian shortsea operator, is known for its reliable and sustainable services across Northern Europe. Firstly, the deal unites two niche players, combining their strengths to create a broader, end-to-end logistics network.
Founded in 2016, Viasea operates regular routes between the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, and Lithuania. Also, the company runs offices in Moss, Rotterdam, Gdynia, Klaipeda, and Immingham. Its focus on flexibility and eco-friendly alternatives has positioned it as a strong challenger in the shortsea market.
For Ellerman City Liners, the acquisition expands its shortsea footprint and strengthens service resilience in a competitive market.
Iain Liddell, Founder and Managing Director of GB Global, said the move “redefines shortsea shipping for the future.” He added that combining Ellerman’s UK expertise with Viasea’s agile operations will create a fast, reliable, and greener European network.
Peter Andrews, Managing Director of Ellerman City Liners, said the deal marks “a major step towards completing our European infrastructure,” enabling full door-to-door service across the continent.
ColliCare Holding CEO Knut Sollund noted that Viasea was founded to shift cargo from roads to sea, and joining GB Global provides the right environment for continued growth.
Morten Pettersen, Managing Director of Viasea, said the partnership aligns with Viasea’s values of innovation, customer service, and sustainability.
The acquisition broadens shortsea coverage, improves schedule reliability, and strengthens multimodal connections across Europe, including rail links in Poland, Hungary, and Romania.
Lastly, as part of GB Global, Ellerman and Viasea will benefit from the group’s global reach, investment capacity, and operational scale, reinforcing Ellerman’s position as a leading European shortsea operator offering smarter, greener logistics solutions.
