Efficient sea transport – vital for successful timber exports

Efficient sea transport is a key factor for everyone working in the sawmill industry. For Norra Timber, world-leading Norlat Shipping plays a pivotal role in its business – especially when it comes to the export of its products to the Middle East and North Africa.

“What started out with the transportation of sawn logs and pulpwood within the Baltic Sea region has now developed into an extensive network of shipping routes that covers the entire Baltic Sea, Egypt and North America”, says Patrik Patriksson, Senior Chartering Manager at Norlat.

Text Nadja Lindgren Published 14 October 2024

PhotoVictor Lundberg

Norlat has built an impressive track record as a specialist provider of maritime transportation of forestry products since it launched in the early 1990s.

”We have a strong sense of teamwork within Norlat and close collaborations with our customers. We always strive to be solution-oriented, flexible and hands-on,” says Patrik Patriksson.

Norlat has chosen to focus on markets where the need for timber products is greatest, such as North Africa and North America, and is now expanding to Great Britain. As of September 1, Norlat became part of the Danish shipping group D/S Norden, which gives it access to over 500 vessels of various sizes.

“This development allows Norlat to broaden our offer and service to the forestry industry in particular. We see many positive synergies being part of a larger group with access to many more ships and having more cargoes in circulation to maximize efficiencies”, says Patrik Patriksson.

 

Patrik Patriksson, Senior Chartering Manager, Norlat. Photo: Press

Challenges at the port

Maritime transport is not without its challenges, especially when it comes to the efficiency of various ports. Norlat says one of the biggest challenges is to minimize the time spent in port, as every minute is valuable. This is particularly challenging in Sweden, where trade unions are powerful and overtime work is voluntary. This can create bottlenecks and result in slow passage through some ports.

“We need to fight for Swedish sawmills to be able to export as competitively as possible and not lose ground to other countries”, explains Patrik Patriksson.

Despite such challenges, Norlat is very positive about the future.

“Our partnership with Norra Timber is strong and is built on many years of experience and mutual understanding. Together we look forward to developing our relationship and achieving joint success in global markets”, says Patrik Patriksson.