Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen team up to bring next generation vehicle processing home to Norway
Establishing a unique joint venture, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen, one of Norway’s largest vehicle importers and distributors, will develop and operate a one-of-a-kind, tailormade vehicle processing center at the port of Drammen.
The new facility will bring vehicle processing in-house for Bertel O. Steen, strengthening and enhancing their current value chain, and provides Wallenius Wilhelmsen with new commercial opportunities.
– We are excited to further expand our logistics footprint in the Nordics establishing a joint venture with Bertel O. Steen to build a state-of-the-art facility from the ground up, says John Felitto COO Logistics Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
– This is a strategically important move for Bertel O. Steen that will strengthen our brands’ relative competitiveness in the Norwegian automotive market. The establishment of a tailormade vehicle processing center in Drammen will also enable us to improve the speed of delivery of cars to our customers and reduce operational risk in the value chain, says Harald Frigstad, CEO at Bertel O. Steen.
Once completed, the modern purpose-built facility will have the capacity to process approximately 45.000 vehicles annually in one shift. Designed and equipped to provide a comprehensive range of pre-delivery processing services including anti-corrosion treatments, software upgrades, equipment assembly and cosmetic preparation.
A long-term lease with the Port of Drammen is signed, and the tender process for construction will begin shortly with the facility expected to open its doors to import vehicles in late 2027.
We welcome Bertel O. Steen and Wallenius Wilhelmsen with the establishment of the new facility in the port. This strengthens Drammen’s position as Norway’s leading port for import of new cars and a hub for further distribution inland, says Arne Fosen Port Director at the Port of Drammen.
