Winner of the Port of Zwolle Haven Award: Success through collaboration

The international multimodal transport company Samskip relocated a year and a half ago from its relatively small branch in Genemuiden, on the Zwarte Water, to the growth hub Port of Zwolle to further realize its expansion ambitions.

These ambitions aligned seamlessly with those of Port of Zwolle, making the move highly successful. The collaboration ultimately earned Samskip the prestigious Haven Award 2024. We spoke with Johan Grootkarzijn, Director Rail at Samskip in Zwolle.

The jury praised Samskip for its innovative approach to climate-neutral transport and its contribution to strengthening the regional port area. How did you achieve that?

“We never approach something like this on our own — always in collaboration. For example, in various regions in Sweden, and elsewhere in Europe, we’ve followed the same approach: working together with other companies, governments, and educational institutions to optimize transport and logistics processes. At the same time, we focus on further decarbonization and sustainability. And it works — by sharing knowledge, joining forces, and keeping our eyes on the future.”

How did the collaboration with Port of Zwolle come about?

“The initial discussions, about a year and a half ago, quickly showed that we shared the same ambitions regarding growth and sustainability. We spoke with Port of Zwolle, the municipality, the province, other companies, and educational institutions in the region. Port of Zwolle is a young and dynamic organization that aims to grow sustainably and responsibly — exactly in line with our own goals.

We contribute expertise in building transport hubs and optimizing freight flows through multimodal solutions. Educational institutions, in turn, provide smart solutions in areas like data efficiency and logistics planning. Collaboration is key — that’s our core principle.”

How do you demonstrate that sustainability delivers tangible results?

“First and foremost, by the growing number of customers choosing to use our multimodal network across Europe. With our CO₂ calculator, customers can clearly see the emissions savings for specific routes — and we see increasing demand for this. Our sales teams use the tool as well, reflecting how deeply embedded our sustainability vision is throughout the organization.

Again, collaboration is crucial — progress only happens together. We aim to remain a frontrunner in sustainable logistics. Since establishing a presence in the Netherlands in the 1990s as an originally Icelandic company, we’ve expanded to around 25 locations across Europe. As a niche player, we seek to add value by enhancing sustainability through smart logistics. For us, sustainability is not an add-on — it’s a core part of our business model.”

Looking ahead, what does the future hold if you continue to pursue this ambition?

“I believe we’ll continue developing increasingly sophisticated networks, allowing our logistics hubs — both existing and new — to operate with even greater efficiency. Collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a clear long-term vision will continue to drive this progress. When you create that kind of hub effect, it generates a pull factor — attracting and stimulating growth for other companies as well. We see that in Zwolle and in other regions too.

We also look beyond traditional transport. By developing dual-use solutions through partnerships with unconventional stakeholders, we create multiplier effects that amplify results. This reflects our mindset — thinking outside the box. That’s also why we enjoy working with talented students from universities and colleges. They bring fresh ideas that truly drive innovation. Similarly, collaboration with other logistics partners generates the same multiplier effect — by sharing insights and expertise, we inspire one another.”

After a brief pause, Grootkarzijn adds:
“It’s a great honor to receive this award, but we couldn’t have achieved it without the support and cooperation of all our partners. In truth, everyone in this region deserves recognition for this success.”

About Samskip

Samskip is an international logistics company headquartered in Rotterdam. The company provides transport services by road, sea, rail, and air, with a strong focus on sustainable and cost-efficient solutions. Samskip operates in over 30 countries across Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia, employing approximately 1,500 people worldwide.