We at Samskip are proud to call the Port of Santander our Spanish gateway. Its sheltered location, uncongested waters, and strong connectivity offer a natural advantage adding flexibility, speed, and reliability to our multimodal network. From here, we connect businesses in Spain with the UK, Ireland, Rotterdam, and beyond, ensuring fast transit times and dependable service across Europe.

This success is also a story of partnership. The collaboration between Samskip and the Port of Santander has proved to be a natural fit combining our customer-centric approach with the port’s local expertise and vision for growth. To reflect on what this partnership has achieved and where it is heading, we sat down with Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, former CEO of Samskip, and Cesar Diaz Maza, CEO of the Port of Santander.

Q: Why was Santander chosen as Samskip’s port of choice in Spain?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
Santander offers a combination of strengths our customers value most: schedule reliability, efficiency, and strategic location. Unlike some of the more congested Spanish ports, Santander is sheltered and predictable, which helps us keep our vessels running on time. From here, we can connect directly to the UK and Ireland, with Rotterdam serving as a hub to the rest of Europe. That combination creates speed and cost-effectiveness, two things every shipper looks for.

Q: Looking back over the past 18 months, what impact has this service had for Samskip?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
It has been transformative. We’ve strengthened our position in the UK and Irish markets and, importantly, opened Spain more directly into our European network. By deploying our own tonnage instead of relying on third-party slot agreements, we’ve been able to expand capacity and offer customers a far more competitive product.

Q: And from the customer’s perspective, how has the feedback been?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Every customer who has tested the new service has highlighted the reliability and personal care they receive. Samskip has a very customer-focused culture, and that shows in the way every shipment is treated as important. That builds trust quickly, and the feedback we hear is that this is what makes the difference.

Q: What have you both learned since the launch of this partnership?

Santander CEO Cesar Diaz Maza:
The cooperation between Samskip and the Port Authority has been seamless, and the effect on the local port community has been very energizing. Having Samskip here has given a boost to both the port and to the wider region, and we see great potential for sustainable growth together.

Q: Cross-docking in Santander has been an important addition. How is it helping customers?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
In today’s market, trucking capacity is tight and rail is not always an option in this region. Cross-docking allows us to keep goods flowing smoothly while maintaining flexibility and reliability even when the unexpected happens. We’ve built a small, experienced local team here in Santander that really understands the needs of the market. They act proactively, solve problems, and keep close coordination with the port. That local-global balance is something we’re very proud of.

Q: Sustainability is a major focus for both Samskip and the Port. What steps are you taking together?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
Sustainability is central to our strategy. Our multimodal solution reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 86% compared to traditional road routes into Dublin. We also provide tools like our Carbon Calculator, which helps customers see their savings instantly. Looking ahead, we’re promoting rail connections within Spain to reduce long-haul trucking and further cut emissions.

Santander CEO Cesar Diaz Maza:
For the Port, it’s about aligning with these ambitions, supporting rail development, encouraging modal shift, and preparing our facilities to accommodate sustainable growth. Together we’re building a greener, more resilient logistics chain.

Q: The terminal has already exceeded expectations. With capacity tight, how do you plan for the future?

Santander CEO Cesar Diaz Maza:
It’s true. The volumes have been very encouraging, and we’re already looking at ways to expand capacity. Adding space and frequency will be key, as will investing in new infrastructure so we can continue to grow alongside Samskip.

Q: Finally, looking ahead, what are your joint ambitions for expanding this partnership?

Kari-Pekka Laaksonen:
For Samskip, success means more frequency, more reliability, and smarter solutions that compete effectively with road transport. That requires strong collaboration on local haulage, better rail links, and digital solutions to remove bureaucracy.

Santander CEO Cesar Diaz Maza:
And for us at the Port, it means being proactive, expanding facilities, improving services, and positioning Santander as the port of choice in Northern Spain. Together, we see a clear path to growth that benefits our customers, our region, and the wider European logistics network.

Looking Forward

The past 18 months have shown what is possible when a strong global network and a dynamic local port come together. With growth, sustainability, and customer care at the heart of their partnership, Samskip and the Port of Santander are creating opportunities for today and continue to build a foundation for the future of European trade.