1847 the foundation was laid for the oldest still-operating shipping company in Sweden – and one of the oldest in all the world, Ahlmark Lines. Today we transport more than 0.6 million tonnes of goods annually throughout Europe. Over the years, the transport of forest products to the UK has become our core business. As much as a third of the Swedish timber exported to the UK is carried on our ships. Our customers also include players in the steel, engineering and other core Swedish industries. We know that our customer-oriented approach is an important explanation for the often long-standing relationships that have developed between us and our customers. At Ahlmark Lines, we take an active role in efforts to improve conditions for maritime transport, both nationally and locally. We see shipping as an important component of the solution to Sweden’s infrastructural challenges both now and in the future. Shipping has an almost unlimited capacity and the cost of its infrastructure is financed almost entirely by commerce and industry through port dues throughout the country, no matter what flag is flying from the stern.