(UPM, Naperville, 16 September at 9:00 CDT) - UPM Communication Papers is expanding its logistics presence in the United States through a renewed shipping partnership and new port operations. Starting next year, UPM will continue its long-term freight agreement with Dutch shipping company Spliethoff, maintaining regular shipments from Europe to Jacksonville, Florida. A new port contract with Enstructure, effective this autumn, will additionally enable deliveries to Wilmington, Delaware.
"These agreements reflect our strong commitment to the North American market and reinforce our promise to deliver reliable and efficient service to our customers across the region," says Gunnar Eberhardt, Executive Vice President, UPM Communication Papers.
On January 1, 2026, UPM will renew its long-standing collaboration with Spliethoff, one of Europe’s largest and most experienced shipping companies. For over 25 years, Spliethoff has reliably transported a broad range of UPM business area offerings - including products from UPM Communication Papers, Specialty Papers, Plywood, and Fibres - from Europe to global markets. As in previous years, the majority of shipments to the U.S. are represented by UPM Communication Papers and UPM Specialty Papers.
Finnish/ Swedish 1A Ice-Classed (L-type) vessel from Spliethoff. This new series will be delivered starting in 2028. Equipped with side loaders and heavy-lift cranes, they will support fast, safe, and sustainable cargo handling.
“We are proud to continue serving UPM, a valued partner with whom we share a quarter-century of
trusted cooperation,” says Michael van den Heuvel, Chief Commercial Officer at Spliethoff. He notes
that this long-standing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to reliability, innovation, and
sustainability in global shipping. Spliethoff’s upcoming Finnish/Swedish Ice Class 1A L-type vessels,
entering service in 2028, will further support sustainable operations and improve the efficiency of UPM’s
transatlantic logistics. According to Michael van den Heuvel, “These ships are designed for energy
efficiency with slender hull lines and LNG-readiness, and will feature side loaders, and heavy-lift cranes
to enable fast, safe, and efficient cargo handling.”
Complementing this freight agreement, UPM has signed a new port operations contract with
Enstructure, a valued partner at the Talleyrand Marine Terminal in Jacksonville, Florida, and will now
extend its services to Port Wilmington, Delaware. Reflecting on the expanded collaboration, Enstructure
Co-CEOs Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny shared: “Enstructure is proud to expand our
relationship with UPM into Port Wilmington. UPM has been a trusted partner in Jacksonville for many
years, and we appreciate the confidence in our operations. Extending our partnership across our marine
terminal network will create meaningful benefits for both organizations.”
Port Wilmington, Delaware, operated by Enstructure since 2023. The new contract enables UPM to expand deliveries to Wilmington, complementing existing operations in Jacksonville, Florida.
This strategic expansion enhances UPM’s logistics network by ensuring reliable and optimized
geographic scope across key regions of the U.S. and improving responsiveness to market needs.
Supported by UPM’s global supply capabilities and its local operations at the UPM Communication
Papers Blandin mill in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the company continues to ensure dependable
deliveries to North American customers. Enstructure has long managed operations at the Port of
Jacksonville and, since July 2023, also at Port Wilmington—demonstrating consistent reliability and
responsiveness.
Jon Vander Wal, General Manager and VP, NA Supply Chain at UPM Communication Papers, highlights
the strength of the collaboration: “Enstructure has proven to be a fantastic partner to UPM, providing
excellent service while listening closely to our needs. We're excited to expand our operations in the mid-
Atlantic and are confident that our partnership will ensure a smooth transition to this new facility.”
Together with the renewed freight agreement with Spliethoff these partnerships form a robust logistics
framework for UPM. Wilmington’s strategic location offers direct access to key markets in the Northeast
and Mid-Atlantic, complementing Jacksonville’s reach and ensuring comprehensive, efficient coverage
across the U.S.
These strategic logistics enhancements reaffirm UPM’s dedication to serving its North American
customers with greater speed, reliability, and sustainability—ensuring consistent access to high-quality
paper products across key U.S. markets.
UPM, Media relations
Mon-Fri 9:00–16:00 EEST
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com.
The Spliethoff Group, headquartered in Amsterdam, is one of Europe’s leading shipping companies. With over a century of maritime expertise, the Group offers specialized services across dry cargo, breakbulk, project cargo, container and Ro-Ro transport, and more. Operating a modern fleet of over 145 vessels, Spliethoff is known for its versatility, safety, and commitment to sustainability.
Enstructure is a leading U.S.-based logistics and infrastructure company specializing in marine terminals and integrated supply chain solutions. With a strong presence across key ports, Enstructure provides tailored services for bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo. Known for its operational reliability and customer-focused approach, the company combines advanced infrastructure with strategic locations to support efficient and scalable logistics.
UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
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UPM Communication Papers offers the industry’s widest portfolio for newspaper, magazine, marketing and book printing as well as for home and office applications. We employ around 5,000 people and operate 10 modern paper mills globally. Our annual production capacity is 4.3 million tonnes of graphical paper. www.upmpaper.com
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