Longstanding customer relationships along with a healthy cargo mix are keeping Spliethoff’s transatlantic services robust despite some customer hesitation over tariff uncertainties. The line is maintaining solid bookings for its twice-monthly sailings between the Great Lakes and Northern Europe and the Mediterranean respectively.

“We’re fortunate to have a strong mix of cargo on our vessels so that if the demand for transporting one type of commodities is reduced or held off for a while, we have others to fill our vessels,” says Sten Könst, who manages Spliethoff’s Atlantic and Great Lakes department. “We’ve had a slowdown in steel shipments, for example, but continue to ship a combination of container goods, seasonal yachts, and heavy project cargo.”

Many commodities have been on shipment order since last year, with others required even if tariffs will make them somewhat more expensive. “We’re collaborating very closely with our customers to help them to navigate current uncertainties around trade and maintain confidence in their decisions with us,” Könst says. “For example, we’ve introduced a clause that allows either party to withdraw from a contract in the event that a shipment is affected by unforeseen tariffs or duties – it’s not ideal but is so far working well.”

A trade agreement between the United States and the European Union would be most welcomed to make the costs of doing business more certain. In the meantime, Spliethoff has seen a marked shift in booked volumes destined for the Canadian market, which is traditionally strong for the liner but notably higher this year.

While Spliethoff is always open to discussing new service opportunities, a return to lower container rates makes the launch of dedicated container services insufficiently profitable at present. “We saw container rates spike during the pandemic in 2021 and 2022 as the world restocked commodities,” Könst explains, “but those rates normalized at a lower level in 2023 with there being less demand.”

However, Spliethoff continues to provide regular container shipments to the ports of Cleveland and Duluth as part of its mixed cargo shipments. “This service has been supported by pre-booked contracts secured last year, which have helped to provide stability,” Könst notes.

Kevin Beardsley, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority’s Executive Director, praises the services for offering extensive flexibility in booking parceled space. “We’ve had farming equipment and other heavy machinery arrive in containers,” he says.

High-crane capacity on Spliethoff’s liner vessels facilitates the loading and discharge of heavy and non-standard cargo at virtually any Great Lakes port.