History

Mr. Jan Gisholt, founder of Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., started his career in Norway in the early 1950's at Winge and Company, in the Chartering and Sale and Purchase departments. Mr. Gisholt then joined the prestigious firm Torvald Klaveness in the chartering department until he departed for the United States. In New York he joined Chester, Blackburn and Roder, where after two years, he was offered directorship positions in Chester, Blackburn and Roder as well as its various affiliated companies. Mr. Gisholt became part owner of the holding company, American Industries, Inc. During this period, he was appointed Chartering Manager in charge of all tonnage chartered in to the company's lines; Atlantic Lines, Pan-American Mail Lines and Atlantic Brazil Line. He held this position 15 years, during which time the lines developed into a combined fleet of 12 ships with 450 sailings yearly from Miami to 35 ports in the Caribbean/East Coast Central America/North Coast South America and some 150 sailings yearly from New York to the Caribbean and the South American hemisphere.

When Jan Gisholt fixed the first ship trading between Miami and the Caribbean, the ports of Miami and Port Everglades had very limited facilities and trade routes. In those days, the ships utilized were small dry cargo vessels with occasional reefer space, followed by roro type vessels. Eventually, containerships evolved out of the growing interest to unitize various types of cargo. Initially ships of 100-200 containers were considered large container carriers. Today, the industry has grown with vessels capable of carrying well over 8,000 containers or more.

In 1975 Mr. Gisholt founded Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., in Greenwich, Connecticut. Time chartering has been maintained as the paramount business focus of the firm, with an emphasis on container, multipurpose, liner, bulk and roro tonnage. As a result of the extensive activity in this field, the name Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., in many instances, has been considered synonymous with time chartering. Mr. Jan Gisholt retired in 2001 and has now reduced his activities to a consultant for the firm.

Hans Laue began his shipbroker education in Denmark in 1982 where he held various positions with Ship Owners and Ship Managers. In 1988 he moved to the United States where he first worked with a Ship Owner/Manager in Savannah, GA. In 1990 he joined Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., at their Greenwich, CT location and it soon became evident that the two brokers were a perfect match. Mr. Laue was appointed Vice President of the company prior to the relocation of the firm to Miami Lakes, Florida, in October 1993. On January 1, 2001, Hans Laue assumed the position as President and owner of Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc. He continues to serve loyal and new clients in the same spirit as his predecessor, Jan Gisholt.

In 2003 the office moved to its current location in Weston, Florida, centrally situated between Miami and Port Everglades.

It is the aim of Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., to maintain their strong integrity, reliability and personal relationships with its current and new customers. Teamwork amongst the brokers is emphasized and a "family" atmosphere amongst all of its employees is evident.