Meet the Team
Ingrid Ovadi: “Scandinavia demands a lot of flexibility. Experience is a major asset.”
A year ago, Transuniverse reorganized its traffic to Scandinavia, forming new partnerships in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. “That’s why we brought in Ingrid Ovadi, a true Scandinavia expert, who focuses specifically on these routes,” says Operations Manager Alexander Bekaert.
Ingrid joined Transuniverse in October. Prior to this, she worked for 36 years at a competitor, where she was the go-to person for Scandinavia. “In addition, I also managed traffic to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Baltic states,” she explains.
“With the growth of our Scandinavian traffic, we wanted someone dedicated to this area. With Ingrid, we bring in years of expertise. This opens opportunities to expand our market share. Moreover, her knowledge of other markets makes her versatile, enabling her to support colleagues during absences due to illness or vacation,” adds Alexander.
A Region Full of Variables
“Scandinavia is challenging because the region demands a great deal of flexibility. Depending on the destination and lead times, you need to choose between truck transport, ferries, or short-sea containers. For Denmark, it’s always trucks, but for Sweden, Norway, or Finland, the choice is more complex due to the remote destinations. There are so many variables that it often feels like solving a puzzle. Experience is crucial here,” says Ingrid.
“Since Norway is not part of the EU, I work closely with the Customs department for export documents. The fact that this department at Transuniverse is well-structured and efficient makes my job easier,” she adds.
Personal Contact
Transuniverse collaborates with local partners in Scandinavia: Nordic Transport Group in Denmark and Norway, Blue Water Shipping in Sweden, and Polar Logistics in Finland. “I’m in daily contact with them to pass on assignments, ensure timely loading, obtain updates, or discuss potential issues. Part of this is done via email, but often by phone as well,” she says.
Personal contact is, in her view, indispensable for smooth cooperation. “Many destinations, especially in the far north, are very remote. Shipments can be on the road for over a week, and despite all the track & trace systems, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint their exact location or determine how much longer the transport will take. A quick phone call is often faster to check this and inform the client,” Ingrid concludes.
