https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G3Hs2rVPls

New Church Organ from Austria to Finland’s Worlds Heritage Site Suomenlinna

Although road transports from Austria to Finland is business as usual, this time it was not. FREJA had the honour to be the dedicated professional to transport a new church organ from Austria to Finland.

[caption id="attachment_28323" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Since the service platform could only accommodate one truck and there was only one suitable departure time per day, the transport had to arrive at the departure pier at exactly the right time.[/caption]

In Finland, the destination was the church of Suomenlinna. Suomenlinna is a famous tourist attraction and a maritime fortress with a base built for the Archipelago Fleet off the coast of Helsinki. Work on the fortress began in 1748.

Suomenlinna was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 to preserve it as an example of 18th-century fortress architecture in Europe.
The international transport was the first direct truck transport to Suomenlinna for Aleksi Elo, the experienced Operational Manager of FREJA Finland responsible for imports and exports from Eastern Europe.

[caption id="attachment_28358" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Special thanks goes to the truck driver, Jiri, who played a crucial role in the success of the transport.[/caption]

- Road transports from Austria are routine and a daily job for us, but this one was special because of the destination, Suomenlinna. The island and the site is a familiar tourist destination for me, but I wanted to be 100% sure that the route was clear for our truck. I worked closely with the church sexton and the suppliers of goods for the church renovation to ensure the route and timing of the shipment.

[caption id="attachment_28302" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Suomenlinna is a famous tourist attraction and a maritime fortress with a base built for the Archipelago Fleet off the coast of Helsinki.[/caption]

Import from Austria by road

• Date of loading Austria 13.4.2021
• Trailer arrival date in Hanko 17.4.2021
• From Katajanokka in Helsinki to Suomenlinna 19.4.2021
• Length of transport 17 m
• Combination weight 20 tonnes
• Load weight merely 3 200 kg

The service ferry that transported the trailer combination to the island from Katajanokka (Helsinki) was a new insight into the logistics of Suomenlinna for Elo.
Since the service platform could only accommodate one truck and there was only one suitable departure time per day, the transport had to arrive at the departure pier at exactly the right time.The organ pipes travelled from Austria to Finland, lying on their padded beds in the FREJA trailer. The organ pipes range in size from a few centimetres to over five metres.
After their arrival, the installation of the organ began. After the installation, the organ needs to be voiced. The voicing work will take place from the beginning of May until mid-June.

[caption id="attachment_28316" align="aligncenter" width="800"] After their arrival, the installation of the organ began. After the installation, the organ needs to be voiced.[/caption]

Anna Pulli-Huomo, lead church musician from the Tuomiokirkko congregation in Helsinki says that the new church organ is larger than the previous one, and Pulli-Huomo compares the new organ to a symphony orchestra.
- The organ could be described as a string orchestra with a trumpet section.
The official inauguration concert for the new organ will take place in September, but the aim is to play the new organ at Suomenlinna's summer concerts.

Social responsibility and sustainability are close to our heart, and we at FREJA are pleased to present the latest CSR report for the year 2020. This report marks the fourth CSR report for FREJA since 2017. In the report, we unveil the initiatives we have worked on in 2020 and the goals we have set to create a better environment and a more sustainable planet.

As a transport and logistics company, we believe that we have a responsibility when it comes to ensuring a greener environment. Our industry is crucial for society, as we contribute to the transport of necessary goods such as medicines, food, and hygiene products, but the effect of this is that the transport sector is responsible for 24% of direct CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Our critical role in society has been particularly crucial during the pandemic. We have worked hard to keep the supply chains going around the world, and this could not be done without all our professional and dedicated employees on the roads and in the offices.

Despite the pandemic, we have maintained our focus on CSR and followed the planned strategy, as we do not believe that we can postpone our actions and efforts in this area. Since 2018, we have structured our work with CSR according to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Every year, we assess which areas we want to focus on, and in the year 2020, we worked with the following three SDGs:

• 3) Good health and well-being
• 8) Decent work and economic growth
• 12) Responsible consumption and production

[caption id="attachment_27288" align="alignnone" width="1235"] The three SDGs that FREJA has focused on in 2020[/caption]

Orderliness and responsibility are some of the cornerstones of FREJA, and therefore it is important for us to create a healthy working environment and good working conditions for our employees and drivers. This is also reflected in the SDGs that we have chosen to work with.

In the latest report, you can, amongst other things, read about what we do to create a good working environment, why rail freight is an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, and how we have contributed to the fight against COVID-19.

You can read FREJA's CSR report 2020 here

The situation in the sea freight market is extraordinary these days. Due to the Covid-19 situation, purchase and consumption of goods have grown significantly, which causes a great demand for transportation throughout the world.

The given situation and the effects after the container ship, EVER GIVEN, blocked the Suez Canal for six days, hasn’t eased the situation. The ship blocked about 360 other ships going through the Suez Canal. The full extent of this is still uncertain. However, there is no doubt that this will cause further delays, and impact the situation in all main ports in Europe, since ships will arrive at the same time after queuing in the Suez Canal,  hence challenges with the handling is to be expected.

There are already delays from before. We experience a lack of equipment, the normal flow for containers has been put out of play, and tight resources mean that ships are waiting for more than a week outside ports to be loaded and unloaded. This happens even though all ships that can sail have been taken into use.

Due to less productivity and rotation, the industry suffers cancellation and blank sailings, and an increase in the imbalance issues. We therefore expect a continued challenging situation for both imports and exports to/from Northern Europe.

We aim to do our utmost for you as our partner to solve the challenges in the best possible way. We will be in close contact with you and keep you updated regarding the development and possibilities. Even though we face a difficult situation, and costs will remain high, we fight for getting space on the vessels, and to help you move your goods.

Don’t hesitate to contact us and ask how we can help each other.

Despite all challenges, we will do everything we can to find solutions for your needs!

Please contact us for more information.

In mid-April, we welcomed a new Branch Director for FREJA in Szczecin. We are pleased to have Grzegorz Giel on board, who brings almost twenty years of experience in serving Scandinavian markets, gained from companies such as Enterprise Logistics and DB Schenker.

About starting in FREJA, Grzegorz says: "After the opening of the Szczecin terminal, which makes an impressive impression, FREJA in Poland faces challenges related to further development."

There is no doubt that one of the priorities will be to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new facility in Szczecin.

Grzegorz continues: "My goal is to develop groupage and LTL shipments, not only for FREJA's large Scandinavian market but also in Western Europe. We have a great team in Szczecin, which received me very positively. It is a great pleasure and satisfaction to be part of FREJA when we have such opportunities for the development of our organization and customer support."

FREJA has acquired 33 new trailers, and additionally 30 more during summer, to cover our ever-increasing demand for transport in Norway and internationally. The new trailers are both 2-temperature-controlled trailers, box trailers with and without side opening, as well as mega trailers.

[caption id="attachment_25291" align="alignright" width="300"] Some of the new box trailers ready for use.[/caption]

The trailer capacity has been under pressure the past year due to route changes and new processes in connection with the lockdowns in Europe. Even during these challenging times, FREJA has proven to be a reliable and safe transport partner, which has led to new customers and an increased number of assignments.

It is important for us that our customers feel extra well taken care of when it comes to service at all stages, including pick-up and delivery. Both personnel and material should give our customers a good overall feeling and ensure that we handle their shipments in the best possible way.

We often use sea connections, especially between Germany and Norway, because it is more environmentally friendly compared to road transport. This way, we move much of the traffic from the roads to the sea, which helps to limit CO2 emissions. We also make sure to use Norwegian vehicles with EURO6 engines to pick up the trailers in the Norwegian harbor. In addition to this, we often hire locals drivers with a fixed salary to enhance our service.

As of the winter season 2020/2021, new rules apply to winter tires for all new heavy vehicles driving in Norway:

A motor vehicle with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3,500 kg must have winter tires of the type 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) on drive axles and front steering axles. M&S (Mud and snow) tires can also be used on other axles.

For safety reasons, FREJA Norway began implementing tires of the highest quality, 3PMSF tires, already in 2019.

"We have a great responsibility for traffic safety when our trailers drive around on Norwegian roads, and we want to be the frontrunner when it comes to implementing solutions that aim at increasing road safety and reducing the chance of accidents," says Leif Haug, European Transport Solutions Director in FREJA Norway.

FREJA in Ålesund is expanding with new train solutions, and on the 25th of April, we will start with a daily train connection on the Rauma rail line between Åndalsnes and Oslo. FREJA is always looking for environmentally friendly transport solutions, and we have made a strong contribution to the process of getting this railway connection re-established after it was closed down in 2018.

Your partner in North-West Norway

FREJA Transport & Logistics AS expanded and established a new department in Ålesund in the summer of 2018, where Stein Arve Waagan, with his dedicated will and years of experience from the industry, was hired as the general manager of the new office.

The long-term strategy was to develop our services in North-West Norway, an area with long traditions for international trade, and at the same time strengthen our brand in the West Norway regions. It was particularly important to utilize Waagan's experience in temperature-controlled transports - one of FREJA's focus areas in recent years.

With the right employees who focus on quality and customer empathy and the right competence and knowledge, FREJA in Ålesund has developed beyond all expectations.

Local experts

Our experts in the logistics and transport industry have good experience in finding the best solutions to meet the customer's needs, and they have the overview needed to provide a service that facilitates the customer's everyday life.

[caption id="attachment_25323" align="alignright" width="300"] The development at FREJA Ålesund gives Managing Director, Kjell-Arne Eloranta, and Region Director, Stein Waagan, every reason to smile.[/caption]

We at FREJA are dedicated and proud of the work we do. We offer both innovative and value-creating solutions, and we strive to ensure the highest quality, follow-up, and close cooperation. With extensive experience from the industry and very good local knowledge, we deliver worldwide transport and logistics solutions within road, sea, air, and rail, as well as project forwarding and warehouse and 3PL solutions.

Close to 75% increase in turnover

FREJA in Ålesund has experienced an increase in turnover of almost 75% in the last year through an expanded customer base and strengthened satisfaction and trust among existing customers, which in return has led to a larger share of new traffic. With an increased number of assignments, we are continuously expanding our team of professionals.

The Health Agency of Oslo Municipality has entered into an agreement with FREJA Transport & Logistics AS for the distribution of CoVID-19 vaccines to districts, GP offices, clinics, and pharmacies all around the city.

The Health Agency has been assigned the overall operational responsibility for handling CoVID-19 on behalf of Oslo Municipality. This includes the establishment of test centers, infection detection, and vaccination, as well as all associated procedures.

Focus on high quality

The assignment involves the distribution of urgent deliveries with vaccines that must be dispensed immediately after delivery. This requires quality and punctuality in all areas, both professionally and in terms of material equipment. FREJA's personnel have formal competence to carry out the assignment. The pharmacists at FREJA and Oslo Municipality work closely together to ensure that all the requirements are met. For Oslo Municipality, it has been crucial with a partner who has a full focus on product safety and quality when collecting, transporting, and delivering the vaccines and who could start immediately. FREJA's flexibility and ability to deliver on time meant that Oslo Municipality could make a quick decision.

FREJA will deliver the vaccines with approved distribution vehicles with two GDP-trained drivers in each vehicle to ensure that the vaccines arrive at the vaccination sites at the agreed time. Our teams will follow up on the weekly bookings with detailed route plans, strict control upon delivery, and daily reporting of different parameters such as transport temperature.

Understanding of the Health Agency's needs

According to Geir A Gundersen, head of Infrastructure, Operations and Logistics at TISK + V in the Health Agency, there are many good reasons to choose FREJA Transport & Logistics AS. «FREJA shows a high focus on quality, and they understand how the professional and material capabilities should be used to solve the Health Agency’s needs for this task. FREJA knows how safety and the handling of the task should be done to minimize deviations, and they are well prepared to handle any unforeseen situations that may arise. We look forward to working with FREJA. "

"We are very proud of the trust they have in FREJA and to contribute to a task that is so important to society. This assignment fits in very well with the other investments we are making in the pharmaceutical area for our many Pharma customers in Norway," says Kjell-Arne Eloranta, Managing Director of FREJA Transport & Logistics AS.

The most visible part of international transport is freight that moves around the world, and in FREJA, we are experts when it comes to international transport.

FREJA’s worldwide transport solutions have been captured in several coloring pictures suitable for both kids and adults, so the whole family can get together and get acquainted with all the possibilities of international transport.

The images include transport-related objects such as a truck, an airplane, and a ship, and they all have fun details hidden. We encourage you to try and see if you can find them all.

We would love to see your work, so please feel free to share your coloring pictures on social media and tag us in it.

Let's color the world together!

To get started, just click on the photos you want to download and print them out so you have enough copies for the whole family.

Logistics solutions for a world in motion

 

Christmas

Easter

FREJA's coloring images are free to download and distribute under a Creative Commons license.

FREJA Coloring image, created by FREJA Transport & Logistics Oy, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Contact persons in FREJA - Click here to see the overview

Update Germany 18.03.21

The travel restrictions when entering Germany from the Czech Republic, Tirol in Austria and Moselle in France have been extended to 31st  March 2021.

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Update Germany 04.03.21

The travel restrictions when entering Germany from the Czech Republic and Tirol in Austria have been extended to 17^th March 2021.

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Update Germany 01.03.21

On 2^nd March 2021 Germany will add the area of Moselle in France to the list of special areas. This means that anyone (including truck drivers) who has visited the area within the past 10 days will need to present a negative Covid-19 test in order to enter Germany.

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Update Germany and the consequences in Europe in general 23.02.2021

The tightened travel requirements, which also apply to traveling in transit, have imposed large extra costs to FREJA. Therefore, we have to impose a Covid-19 surcharge on the transports affected. To read more [click here]

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Update Germany 16.02.2021

These days, we experience significant obstacles related to transport to/from/through Germany because of the new German requirement of presenting a negative Covid-19 test which is maximum 48 hours old. We encourage our customers to stay in close contact with their contact person in FREJA.

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Update Germany 15.02.2021

New restrictions require everyone to present a negative Covid 19 test in order to enter Germany if you have stayed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Tirol in Austria within the past 10 days.

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Update the UK 08.01.2021

At the moment we experience disturbances regarding the traffic from the UK to Denmark. The reason is a combination of Brexit and Covid-19. In particular, we have difficulties with the customs clearance procedure. Due to the Covid-19 lock-down we see that the customs authorities are not able to meet the necessary guarantees in connection with the issue of T-documents.

The transport business has requested to raise the guarantees, but the customs authorities have not even processed applications handed in months ago.

We regret the inconvenience this might cause our customers. However, this is out of our control. We encourage you to contact your normal contact person in FREJA for further information.

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Update the UK 20.12.2020

The boarder to and from the UK is temporarily closed for travelers including lorry drivers because of the finding of a new Covid-19 cluster. Unfortunately, this will cause substantial delays to the goods transportation.

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Update Holland & Germany 15.12.2020

Holland has announced a lockdown starting 15 December 2020 and lasting until 19 January 2021. Germany has announced a lockdown starting 16 December 2020 and lasting until 10 January 2021.

Because of these lockdown, we kindly ask our customers to assure that customers/suppliers in Holland and Germany will stay open for receipt of goods or collection before FREJA initiate collection or delivery.

So far, price agreements are still valid to the extend we are able to carry out delivery and collection and as long as the distribution systems still function as usual.

However, it is only essential businesses which are allowed to stay open during the lockdown in Holland and Germany. Examples of businesses which stay open are supermarkets, grocery shops, transport- and logistics companies, pharmacies, opticians, doctors and health services.

In case FREJA experiences problems with already booked or initiated transports, which we will not be able to collect or deliver as planned, we will have to invoice the customer any extra costs.

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Update Greece 09.11.2020

On November 7^th, Greece has introduced new restrictions in line with the restrictions we experienced in the spring 2020.

Large part of the retail business as well as restaurants have closed down and a curfew has been reintroduced. At first, these restrictions apply for three weeks starting 7^th November 2020.

FREJA will follow the situation closely and questions may be addressed to your normal contact person.

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Update the UK 08.11.2020

The transport of cargo is now affected by the travel restrictions which the UK government has imposed on Denmark. Drivers, who are non-British residents or who have been in Denmark during the past two weeks, are not allowed to enter the UK. British Nationals and residents – including HGV drivers – who have been to Denmark during the past two weeks may enter but must self-isolate.

Furthermore, passenger ships and ships carrying accompanied freight arriving directly from Denmark may no longer dock at English ports. On November 8, the British authorities have announced that the exemptions to the travel restrictions for HGV drivers no longer apply.

This will create disturbances and extra costs may occur in relation to the transport to and from the UK.

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Update Denmark 06.11.2020

The Danish authorities have decided to close down seven councils in the northern part of Jutland, Denmark until 3^rd December 2020. The councils are Hjørring, Frederikshavn, Brønderslev, Jammerbugt, Vesthimmerland, Thisted and Læsø (postal codes DK7700-DK7790 and DK9100-DK9990). It is still possible to collect and deliver cargo to the area and it is possible to transit the area. However, citizens living in the area are restricted to stay within their own council.

 

Red area are included

 

 

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Update France, Spain and Portugal 30.10.2020

As of today, France will impose new sanctions like the ones they had during the spring.

Large parts of the retail and the restaurant business will close down and a curfew will be introduced. So far, these sanctions run until December 1^st.

In Spain and Portugal they expect to introduce similar national restrictions soonest.

FREJA will follow the situation closely and any questions may be addressed to your ordinary contact person.

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Update ferry lines Norway 22.10.2020

Fjord Line will reduce the ferry traffic between Denmark and Norway on 28^th October.

Click here for a full overview of the changes.

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Update Denmark - Norway 15.06.2020
As of today, the shipping lines are allowed to board passengers again. At the same time, they will go back to the ordinary timetable which means that the traffic is almost back to normal.

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Update 30.04.2020

During May 2020 we expect that the restrictions in most of the European countries will be adjusted regularly. For example a number of companies in Italy will go back into production on May 4.

Because the situation may change from day to day, we encourage you to contact your normal contact person in FREJA for more information.

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Update 02.04.2020

Below mentioned restrictions in Italy has been prolonged till 13th April 2020

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Update 24.03.2020

The Italian government has announced that during 25 March 2020 to 4 April 2020 only essential companies are allowed to maintain their production.

Companies, which are considered to be essential in Italy, includes food, drinks, medical/pharmaceutical products, chemical products, paper and textile to be used in the health sector and agricultural products. This means that transport of the before mentioned products is also classified as essential.

In Spain, Portugal and France we see similar challenges in the execution of transportation of cargo because of restrictions, however at the present it does not effect specific sectors.

Therefore, in this force majeure situation it is not possible for us to offer our traditional transport solutions, but we will try to find individual, alternative solutions.

For further information please contact your ordinary contact person in FREJA.

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Update 18.03.2020

Following the actions by the EU governments to contain the spreading of COVID-19, the disruptions will unfortunately escalate.

We are currently experiencing challenges in delivering goods, as the recipient cannot receive the goods for various reasons. If that situation arises, FREJA will return the goods at the expense of the freight payer if alternative solutions cannot be agreed upon.

We are also experiencing delays on European borders, and several ferries and planes have stopped operating as passengers can no longer travel. All of this affects our operating costs, which in some cases are changing by the hour. Therefore, we see the need to pass on our costs.

FREJA is doing everything we can to maintain the supply chains, and we recommend you to be in close dialogue with our employees.

We are in a force majeure situation that is evolving day by day.

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Update 16.03.20

FREJA is keeping the supply chains running despite the COVID-19 situation, but unfortunately,  disruptions are unavoidable.

The coronavirus is spreading fast all over Europe, and the situation is changing more or less every hour. During the last few days, several countries have made large restrictions, which most likely will continue in many other countries across the world.

In FREJA, we are as prepared as we can be for the current situation, and two weeks ago, we implemented our COVID-19 contingency plan. Our management directs all key activities during this period to the entire organization, which means that all staff is working in a safe environment and following all the instructions from the local national authorities such as working in small scale teams or virtually from home. Even under these very critical circumstances, the entire organization is ready and fully committed to serving our customers 24/7, and we will continue to make the necessary changes needed.

Several countries have implemented heavy control by the borders, and we have already seen delays. At the same time, many countries are making significant local restrictions to the daily business, to minimize the number of people getting infected. In the Nordics, we have experienced that multiple ferry routes have been canceled. The above means that our current services are less flexible and we expect longer transit times, which unfortunately will have an impact on our capacity. We will do our utmost to find alternative solutions to secure that the transportation flow stays intact.

Since this is an extraordinary situation and therefore also a very challenging time for all, we recommend you stay updated on www.freja.com, and as always you are welcome to reach out to your local contact person in FREJA, who as usual is ready to serve you.

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Update 12.03.20

Last night the Danish government announced a line of new initiatives to prevent the spread of the Corona virus which, unfortunately, has spread rapidly amongst the Danish population.

Naturally, in FREJA we follow the recommendations from the Danish government to avoid the spread of the virus amongst customers and employees.

At the time of writing, we have no cases of the Corona virus, and we have already initiated steps to protect our employees and drivers.

In FREJA we consider it a civic duty to maintain the security of supply and we consider ourselves  to be an important player in the supply chain.

However, this is a force majeure situation which means that if we end up having problems with the capacity, we will be forced to prioritize specific sectors.

Therefore, we predict that irregularities may occur.

We thank you for your understanding in this situation. For further information please call you normal contact person in FREJA.

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Update 11.03.20

Austria: The travel guide for Austria has been updated. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark now advises against any non-necessary trips to the skiing area Ischgl in Tyrol and all non-necessary trips to the rest of the province.

Spain: The travel guide for Spain has been updated. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark now advises against any non-necessary trips to the regions of Madrid, the Basque country and La Rioja.

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Update 10.03.20

Italy: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark now advises against any non-necessary trips to Italy. However, the transport and delivery of goods is still allowed.

Austria: As of today the Austrian authorities have introduced random check of symptoms/fever when entering from Italy. This may cause delays in FREJA’s transit times.

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Update 08.03.30

The situation has been further tightened since Italy’s Prime Minister has decided to close down Lombardy and several other regions in Northern Italy. The latest directions says that nobody is allowed to travel in and out of Lombardy as well as 14 provinces in 4 regions which includes cities such as Venice, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini. Any trip into the area requires a special permit related to health issues or work.

Click here to see map of the affected areas

The transport of cargo is not included in the restrictions at the moment, but we expect delays in delivery.

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Update 07.03.20

We expect increasing delays in our operation, as the Czech administration with a warning of less than 24 hours on 07.03.20 has ordered everybody who returns to the Czech Republic after a stay in Italy, to go into 2 weeks’ quarantine.

On some routes to and from Italy, FREJA has a change of driver in the Czech Republic. Therefore, this will affect our transit time.

We regret the inconveniences this may cause and hope for your understanding since this matter is outside our control.

For further information, please contact your normal contact person in FREJA.

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24.02.20

Please be informed that because of the spread of the Coronavirus in Europe we might face challenges and delays.

Right now, cities in northern Italy in Lombardy and the Veneto Region have been shut down. This may be widened which in that case might affect the production and distribution in those areas.

We encourage our customers to follow the development via the media, and we will inform on our web site in case our production in Europe will be affected significantly.