A Journey of Timber: Part 3 – The Broker
The contrast between the serenity of the vast evergreen forests in the Nordics and the bustling and teeming markets of Egypt could hardly be greater. However, the two regions are intimately connected by maritime trade. SOL routinely transport sawn timber from the Baltics, navigating nearly 5,000 nautical miles to reach Alexandria, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea. This is A Journey of Timber.
EVERY JOURNEY OF timber from the Baltic region to Egypt is a carefully orchestrated puzzle – one where timing, cargo, and vessels must align perfectly. Behind the scenes, this delicate balance is upheld by the close partnership between SOL and Gothenburg Chartering, two companies whose collaboration is built on decades of trust and shared expertise.
For Mats Karlsson, shipbroker at Gothenburg Chartering, and Kent Tullock, General Manager of SOL Breakbulk, the key to success lies in seamless communication. “We work like two sides of the same puzzle,” explains Tullock. “Mats manages the bookings and cargo, while we ensure the right vessel is in the right place at the right time.”
Tie the knot
At Gothenburg Chartering, the process starts long before the timber reaches the port. Karlsson and his colleagues maintain daily dialogue with customers, tracking market fluctuations and assessing cargo volumes. “Our job is to tie the knot between shippers and shipowners,” he says. “We need to find the perfect match – the right vessel for the right cargo, at the right price.”
This particular voyage began in the depths of winter, a season that brings its own set of challenges. M/V TransOsprey, one of SOL’s ice-class vessels, was positioned to load sawn timber in Rahja, Finland. With ice encasing the harbors, having the right vessel at the right time is not just an advantage – it is necessity.
“Ice-class tonnage is scarce, and SOL’s vessels play a vital role in keeping the supply chain moving during winter,” says Karlsson. “Without that reliability, the entire chain could break down.”
MATS KARLSSON AND KENT TULLOCK. PHOTO: PATRIK MALMER, RUBRIK
Once the cargo was secured, the vessel set off on the 5 000 nautical miles, around 18-day voyage, to Alexandria, Egypt. Along the way, both companies stays in constant dialogue: adjusting plans, tracking progress, and ensuring that every cubic meter of the ship’s hold was filled.
“Maximizing the vessel’s capacity is not only economically sound, it’s an essential part of making shipping more sustainable,” notes Tullock. “We’re always trying to make sure there’s no empty space.”
Flexibility is another cornerstone of the partnership. In a volatile market, where volumes and destinations can shift at short notice, the ability to adapt is crucial.
“Sometimes we have the cargo first and need to find the vessel, other times we have a vessel and need to fill it,” says Karlsson. “It’s a constant puzzle, and that’s what makes the collaboration with SOL so important. They’re always ready to adjust.”
Buildning on a mutual trust
At the heart of this cooperation is a longstanding relationship built on mutual trust. Gothenburg Chartering’s deep knowledge of the timber trade, combined with SOL’s reliable fleet and operational precision, creates a partnership that delivers – in both good markets and bad.
“We’ve been working together for years, through all kinds of challenges. It’s that continuity that makes the difference,” says Karlsson.
While the journey may appear routine from the outside, it is anything but. Every shipment represents countless decisions, adjustments, and human efforts; a testament to how partnership and experience can turn complexity into reliability. As the timber makes its way from forest to construction site, the collaboration between SOL and Gothenburg Chartering is what keeps the puzzle together, piece by piece. This is In the Best Way, together.
PHOTO: PATRIK MALMER, RUBRIK
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