SHORT-SEA shipping and logistics specialist Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei and X-Press Feeder are to expand their Bilbao route into Tilbury.

With immediate effect, three instead of previously two vessels will be deployed on the service and will further increase the schedule reliability. Two vessels will be operated by X-Press Feeders and one by OPDR.

London Container Terminal (LCT) currently handles other OPDR services on their routes between the Iberian Peninsula, including the Canary Islands, North Africa and the UK, plus the recently launched service connection from Agadir to the UK and North Continent.

Commenting on the announcement, Angela Black, Head of Commercial at London Container Terminal said: “We have a successful, growing relationship with OPDR and we are delighted that they are expanding their Bilbao loop calling into Tilbury. As London’s major port, Tilbury has the perfect shipping location for OPDR’s services, with our fast and reliable connections for London and the south east of the UK.”