History
Mr. Jan Gisholt, founder of 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.
In 1975 Mr. Gisholt founded Jan Gisholt Shipping, Inc., in Greenwich, Connecticut (now named Gisholt Shipping, Inc). Time chartering has been maintained as the paramount business focus of the firm, with an emphasis on container, multipurpose, bulk and RORO tonnage. As a result of the extensive activity in this field, the name Gisholt Shipping, in many instances, has been considered synonymous with time chartering. However, the expansion into project cargoes and yacht transportation has been drastically improved since early 2000’s. 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 relocated to the United States where he first worked with a Ship Broker/Manager in Savannah, GA. In 1990 he joined 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 South Florida in October 1993. Mr. Gisholt retired in 2001 and January 1, 2001, Hans Laue assumed the position as President and owner of Gisholt Shipping, Inc.
He continues to serve loyal and new clients in the same spirit with hands on and personalized service, as did his predecessor. Chartering Manager Evan Shapiro joined the firm in August 2004 after completing his LLM at Tulane University in New Orleans. Mr. Shapiro and the rest of the staff have been paramount to the success of Gisholt Shipping.
It is the aim of Gisholt Shipping, Inc., to maintain a 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.