Six containers were transported from Damen Shipyard in the Netherlands to Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland, OH, USA using the Cleveland-Europe Express (CEE). The containers are carrying specialty components that will be installed on several new tugboats currently under construction at the Shipyard.

The Cleveland-Europe Express is the only direct, scheduled vessel service that moves containerized and non-containerized cargo between the Great Lakes and Europe, through the Port of Antwerp. This transportation option, developed by the Port of Cleveland in a partnership with Spliethoff, saves time and money, all while supporting local jobs. The CEE offers competitive transit time, avoids the overly congested east coats US ports, and provides flexibility at the Port’s terminal.

The containers were trucked from Damen Shipyard in Gorinchem, Netherlands to the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. The containers were then loaded on a Spleithoff ship and transited the Atlantic Ocean, through the St. Lawrence Seaway, and arrived at the Port of Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The containers were then delivered by truck from the Port of Cleveland to Great Lakes Shipyard, less than four miles by road.

“The Port of Cleveland is proud to partner with Great Lakes Shipyard as they continue to innovate right here in Cleveland”, said William Friedman, Port President and CEO. “We started the Cleveland-Europe Express for exactly this kind of purpose, to give North East Ohio companies new and local options for connecting to the world. ”

Great Lakes Shipyard is currently building the second, third, fourth, and fifth tugs in a series of ten and expects that more containers will be shipped using the Cleveland-Europe Express in the future.