Extreme weather delays Baltic shipping, impacting Holmen's wood products
An unusually harsh winter in northern Sweden has caused significant disruptions to shipping, delaying Holmen Wood Products' deliveries.
Northern Sweden is experiencing severe shipping disruptions due to an exceptionally harsh winter, impacting Holmen Wood Products' deliveries. A combination of thick ice, strong winds, high waves, and low sea levels has made it difficult for cargo ships to reach ports, with some vessels becoming trapped in ice even before icebreaker assistance could arrive.
Nine Swedish and Finnish icebreakers are operating around the clock, but resources are stretched thin. The Swedish Maritime Administration has imposed restrictions requiring vessels to be ice-class and carry at least 2,000 tonnes, which particularly affects the transport of lighter wood products. Ahlmark Lines, a key shipping partner for Holmen, has faced substantial delays due to these regulations.
Beyond the ice, ships often arrive at UK ports during low tide, when they are closed to traffic, causing further waiting times. Strong winds in the UK have also periodically shut down smaller ports. Additional costs are incurred for icebreaker assistance, a expense the shipping companies hope the government will eventually cover.
Deliveries of Holmen's wood products have at times been delayed by up to a month, marking the most severe conditions since 2010. While ice is expected to recede with the arrival of spring, the Maritime Administration's restrictions are set to remain in place until May. The logistical challenges and delays have proven difficult to explain to UK customers enjoying milder weather.