Seafood exports to North America surge as Eimskip expands shipping capacity

The growing importance of North America as a key market for Icelandic seafood has led Eimskip to significantly expand its shipping capacity on the American route.

"We have been investing in our green route (the American voyage) to better accommodate fresh fish. Two years ago, we made major changes by cutting coastal sailings from this route, increasing capacity, and deploying larger vessels. As a result, our shipping capacity last year was 50% higher than five years ago," says Hjörvar Guðmundsson, Director of Export at Eimskip.

The company is prominently represented at the Boston Seafood Show, which began Sunday and concludes today.

A Key Market for Icelandic Seafood

Guðmundsson highlights the United States and Canada as critical markets for Icelandic seafood exporters.

"This is a very important market for our customers. The U.S. alone is enormous, and even just the New England region, where we are now, has about 15 million people. It’s a key area for both fresh and frozen fish, so we’re here to support our customers in marketing and sales efforts across North America," he explains.

Larger Ships Mean Greater Reliability

Shipping in the North Atlantic is always subject to unpredictable weather conditions, which can disrupt both sea and air transport. Guðmundsson acknowledges the challenges but points out that Eimskip’s investment in larger ships has enhanced reliability.

"Being in Iceland, you expect rough weather," he says with a laugh.

"However, expanding our operations and using larger ships has improved reliability. For example, replacing Selfoss with Bakkafoss has increased stability, and the ship maintains better speed through the straits. Increased capacity leads to better overall results."

A Competitive Advantage for Icelandic Seafood

Guðmundsson notes that seafood shipments to North America—especially fresh salmon—have increased in recent years. Iceland’s proximity to the U.S. and Canada makes sea transport a viable option for perishable seafood.

"This shipping route is a clear competitive advantage for Icelandic exporters. Sea freight is significantly cheaper than air transport, improving price competitiveness. Additionally, shipping has a much lower carbon footprint compared to air freight, which is something buyers of Icelandic salmon are increasingly considering. With greater shipping capacity, we can serve the market more effectively."

He believes that a strong transportation route to North America is not just vital for salmon exports, but also for other Icelandic seafood products that can benefit from cost-effective and sustainable logistics.