Port Officials Seek More European Ships In Duluth-Superior

Duluth-Superior port officials have been fostering a relationship with a Dutch shipping company to draw more European vessels to the port.

Three out of the 13 vessels that sailed into the port’s Clure Public Marine Terminal last year were from the Amsterdam-based Spliethoff Group. Jon Lamb, the Lake Superior warehousing president, said he and port officials have been meeting with Spliethoff representatives to promote monthly European service from Antwerp to Duluth.

“They brought somebody that’s specialized in container trade to this now in Europe to focus on the Great Lakes portion, which I think is a significant step,” he said.

Lamb said vessel carriers typically want those shipping cargo overseas to pay for a full shipload. But, he said Spliethoff is willing to carry smaller cargoes from several customers. Lamb said it’s a more cost-effective way for regional manufacturers and other industries to reach international markets.

Spliethoff is one of the largest ship management companies in the Netherlands, according to its website.