Mann Lines operates a fixed-schedule weekly ro-ro liner service between the UK, Germany, Estonia and Finland. The service started in 1992, continuing the connection between Harwich and Turku that had been established by Bore Line 20 years earlier.

Up to February 1999, the service operated between Turku in south-west Finland and Navyard Wharf in Harwich. However, at that time, a new ship, MS Estraden, was introduced on long-term time-charter from Rederi AB Engship of Turku.

Built to meet Mann Lines specific service and technical requirements, MS Estraden is a 9,700 tonnes deadweight 2,300 lane metres ice-class ro-ro vessel capable of carrying a wide variety of cargoes including trailers, containers, rolling cargoes of all types and breakbulk cargo.

The increased capacity and speed of the vessel allowed Mann Lines to increase its range of ports. After long consideration the company added Tallinn, Estonia and Bremerhaven to the weekly schedule.

The choice of Tallinn reflected Mann Lines’ confidence in the growing importance and sophistication of the Estonian forest products industry, together with the country’s position as a gateway to Russia and the CIS countries.

Packaged timber, panels and other wood products have always formed part of Mann Lines’ cargo mix from Finland where ro-ro services have long provided a viable alternative to the use of conventional vessels, particularly for pre-sold cargo requiring prompt supply and delivery.

In recent years forest products have become more important for Mann Lines as shippers and importers recognise the advantages of fast, frequent and highly reliable ro-ro services. The need to hold stocks at or near UK ports of entry can be eliminated or, at least, reduced to the minimum.

Roll-trailer operations

Mann Lines operates 300 ships’ roll-trailers onto which cargo is loaded direct from incoming lorry or rail wagon using forklift trucks. The cargo is then secured on the trailer ready for shipment. Generally, roll-trailers are 40ft long and have a weight capacity of 80 tonnes. Trailers loaded with weather-sensitive cargo are parked under cover until shipment.

The system is well-suited to packaged timber and panel products. More so than shipment on conventional vessels, ro-ro shipping using roll-trailers provides a safe, cargo-friendly system comparable to road trailers and containers. Mann Lines now carries significant quantities of added-value wood products such as planed and machined goods, palletised components and furniture.

Fast loading and discharge

On arrival at Harwich Navyard, the cargo is transferred either directly to a delivery vehicle or placed in warehouses. The use of ships’ roll-trailers allows high vessel utilisation and fast loading and discharge, thereby enabling the cost of sea freights to be maintained at competitive levels.

At the same time, users of the service benefit from cargo arriving in clean, first-class condition, in some cases with bar code labels attached, ready for delivery to the customer, including direct to DIY superstores.

Currently, the company carries about 2,000m³ of timber and wood products weekly from Tallinn and Turku to Harwich, in addition to the volumes carried to Germany. It would like to see a significant increase in these quantities during 2002.

Since the introduction of the Tallinn call, the Mann Lines has been successful in converting shippers from Estonia, including transit cargoes from Russia and CIS, to the advantages of a scheduled weekly ro-ro service.

Both Tallinn and Turku cover wide geographical areas, with excellent road and rail connections to their respective hinterlands, including Russia and CIS.

Harwich provides a good distribution point for deliveries throughout the UK south and Midlands. Navyard Wharf in Harwich is owned and operated by Mann Lines’ sister company, Harwich Dock Company. The facility provides two conventional and ro-ro berths, together with some 13,000m² warehousing.

Opening hours

The port is open for receiving and despatching cargo from 7am-7pm. In addition to the weekly service, Navyard Wharf can accommodate conventional vessels.

It also offers a full stockholding service, with order-picking, using sophisticated shipping and inventory management systems including the use of bar code scanning and direct access to records by customers using the internet. Distribution within the UK is managed by Mann & Son (London) Ltd, which uses a mixture of owned and subcontractor vehicles for deliveries nationwide.

While Mann Lines is keen to expand its involvement in the UK timber and related trades, it does not see its services as being directly comparable with the traditional routes and conventional shipping methods in common use.

Equally, it is not keen to see Harwich Navyard becoming clogged up with large quantities of very slow-moving cargoes sitting on the quay for long periods. There are ample storage facilities at Harwich Navyard but Mann Lines would like to see these used to facilitate the fast and efficient logistics services that it sees as the best way forward for the industry.

Mann Lines is actively investigating the possibility of further service developments and is considering adding new ports in the Baltics.