Home > Seafront Logistics – A pillar of Southern Norway's port operations
Seafront Logistics – A pillar of Southern Norway's port operations
Seafront Logistics AS is a key player in the Port of Kristiansand. What started as a family-owned transport company has developed into a modern port terminal operator with over 100 employees and operations in several Norwegian cities.
Around 60 of the employees are based in Kristiansand, where Seafront handles a significant proportion of all bulk and container traffic arriving at the port.
FACTS:
- Between 60 and 80 transports in and out of Kristiansand Port daily
- Handles between 40–50,000 TEU (container units) annually
- The containers contain, among other things, rice for Vung Tau, sunflower oil for Sørlandschips and contrast medium for GE Healthcare.
- Glencore Nikkelverk is the largest single customer, and accounts for a significant share of the goods that pass through the port.
A puzzle of logistics
In addition to terminals and ship operations, they have a large fleet of trucks that transport cargo, mainly to and from terminals. “We don’t do traditional transport between A and B – we take cargo from boat to customer, and from customer to boat,” says Kjetil Hansen, who has administrative responsibility. The company operates at a high pace, and relies on everything working seamlessly from quay to customer.
Collaboration that works well
The cooperation with the Port of Kristiansand is close and extensive. The Port provides the crane and crane operators, while Seafront takes financial responsibility for the operations. "We have always had a good relationship with the people in the port – from property to management. It makes our job easier and more efficient," says Tommy.
"We are almost 100% dependent on good cooperation with the port. If one part fails, it affects the entire chain." – Kjetil
The cooperation with the Port of Kristiansand is close and extensive. The Port provides the crane and crane operators, while Seafront takes financial responsibility for the operations. "We have always had a good relationship with the people in the port – from property to management. It makes our job easier and more efficient," says Tommy.
"Without a port in Kristiansand, many of the companies we work for would most likely not exist either. Everything is connected to everything else. And if it weren't for the sea and the quayside, the city probably wouldn't be here in the first place," he continues.
Important for the flow of goods
Seafront is a critical link in the supply chain for both industry and groceries. Everything from nickel to rice and sunflower oil passes through Kristiansand Port. "It's crazy how much corn Norwegians eat," says Tommy with a smile.
“We are very critical to keeping the wheels turning for many people.” – Tommy
Kjetil adds that many companies today operate with minimal inventories, making punctual delivery crucial. "If a boat is delayed, it can have major consequences. This applies to everything from industrial companies to grocery chains."
Knowledge and flexibility
Both emphasize the importance of flexibility. "A port like Kristiansand must be multi-purpose," says Kjetil. "In Kongsgård we will have a quay stretch of 400 meters, and can operate two container ships at the same time. That is a big improvement."
"We have to adapt to our opportunities and our customers who are here. As a port and port operator, we have to make it easy to use us." – Tommy
Seafront has been involved in the entire development of container traffic in Kristiansand, and has a unique expertise. "We had the first container truck here in 1978", says Tommy. "We have handled everything from the oil boom with large packages of several hundred tons, containers and bulk, to garbage and paper rolls from Hunsfos. We know the port well, and have a very large knowledge overall of handling goods over the quayside."
A new and better port
When it comes to the future, Seafront is closely involved in the plans for the new container port in Kongsgård. “It is important that we who work operationally get to be involved in shaping how it should look, but from our perspective, I think Kongsgård as a new port section must be as close as we can get to the dream port,” says Kjetil. “The port today is actually built to handle things like pallets and timber, but now everything is in large containers. In a section like Kongsgård, the area is basically square, it is like built for container handling.”
Greener transport
Environmentally, Kristiansand is very conveniently located, with short transport stages – approximately 80% of all containers that arrive at the port do not travel further than 40 kilometers. Tommy also sees greater opportunities for Kristiansand as a green transshipment port. "Kristiansand is the closest port from the continent. If we could become a hub where ships come in and environmentally friendly ships transport further into the Oslo Fjord, it would be good for both the environment and the region. "Fortunately, some of our largest customers want to contribute to the green shift, and are willing to pay for it," concludes Kjetil.
“If you're going out into the big world, you almost have to transport it by sea.” - Tommy
