UPM Seaways has launched two new vessels to improve its cost and environmental efficiencies in Spain, as well as to “enable more comprehensive optimisation of the whole supply chain”.

The vessels each have a capacity of over 10,000 tonnes, are “optimised for the transportation of forest products” and will operate the route Hamina-Rauma-Santander-El Ferrol.

“UPM’s volumes to Spain and Portugal have nearly doubled since 2000,” said Jukka Hölsä, director at UPM Seaways, UPM-Kymmene’s logistics unit.

“With the new vessels UPM will be able to better meet the growing customer service requirements. In addition, the increased capacity and new solutions enable more comprehensive optimisation of the whole supply chain.”

The first vessel was inaugurated on October 22, with the second set to come into service in December.