CSL

What CSL does

CSL Sp. z o. o. is a privately held Polish freight forwarding and logistics company headquartered in Szczecin, founded on February 2, 1998. The firm operates an integrated multi-modal logistics platform offering maritime, land, air, and intermodal transport alongside an in-house customs agency, with branch offices in Gdynia and Świnoujście and service coverage extending across most of continental Europe as well as the UK, Sweden, and Denmark. Core products include container and full-ship maritime forwarding, pan-European road transport (including LCL/LTL), air freight into and out of Poland, intermodal Asia-Europe routes, customs clearance under both traditional and simplified procedures, warehousing through a partner network, and Class A cargo insurance. Specialized offerings target e-commerce shippers (24/7 operations, dedicated IT systems) and the offshore energy sector — particularly offshore wind projects serviced through Świnoujście and cooperation with Orlen Neptun.

The company is founder-led under President Laura Hołłowacz and operates within the umbrella "Grupa CSL," which also encompasses the Centrum Kultury Euroregionu Stara Rzeźnia — a restored historic cultural center and event venue on Łasztownia island used for industry conferences and community programming. CSL holds ISO 9001 (since 2000), AEO Authorized Economic Operator status from the European Commission, and IFS Logistics 2.1 certification, placing it among a small group of Polish forwarders with full international quality and customs-trust credentials. The business model is transaction- and fee-based: direct enterprise sales, B2B relationship management, and event-driven business development targeting manufacturing, trading, e-commerce, and offshore/energy clients. Revenue is generated per shipment, per customs declaration, or via managed-service warehousing agreements; no subscription or platform pricing is disclosed.

Name

CSL

Legal name

CSL Sp. z o.o.

Website

https://csl.com.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CSL Sp. z o. o. is a privately held Polish freight forwarder founded in 1998 in Szczecin, offering multi-modal transport (maritime, land, air, intermodal), customs agency, warehousing, and specialized e-commerce and offshore-wind logistics services to enterprise clients across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Trade & Customs / Trade Compliance (BPAHAHAG), Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD), Ocean Freight Brokerage (FCL/LCL) (TLADAMAF), International DTC & Brand.com (Global Shipping) (CRAFAJAB)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Customs clearance agency
• Multimodal transport logistics
• Warehousing and storage
• Intermodal logistics solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Szczecin

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Maritime Transport Services: Organizing container freight and full-ship maritime deliveries from port of loading through comprehensive port services at unloading to final destination. One of the most important services of CSL.
2. Land Transport Services: Organizing land transport in Poland and across Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, France, England). Handles full and part-load transport.
3. Customs Agency Services: Experienced team of customs agents supporting customers in both import and export customs clearance in traditional and simplified procedures, across Poland, Europe, and many countries worldwide.
4. Air Transport Services: Fast air transport services primarily to and from Poland, offering time-critical logistics solutions.
5. Intermodal Transport: Green intermodal transport options supporting supply chains between Asia and Europe and between cities in Europe.
6. E-commerce Logistics: Dedicated logistics and customs solutions for online sales companies, with 24/7 operations and dedicated IT solutions. Cooperation started with Pierce AB in 2015.
7. Warehousing: Storage of goods on pallets, general cargo, or in bulk through a network of partners located in Poland, Europe, and selected countries worldwide.
8. LCL/LTL Services: Less than Container Load and Less Than Truck Load transport of parcels and pallets across Europe, specializing in transport from or to Poland.
9. Insurance Services: Class A cargo insurance offering minimizing transport risk for customers.
10. Brexit Services: Comprehensive customs and logistics services for trade between EU countries and England, including customs clearance in both EU and England, full and part load transport.
11. Offshore Services: Logistics services supporting offshore energy sector, including work with clients in offshore wind projects in Świnoujście and cooperation with Orlen Neptun.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CSL Sp. z o.o. is a Polish freight forwarding and customs agency that arranges international multimodal transport (maritime, land, air and intermodal), customs clearance in Poland and abroad, warehousing through partner facilities, e-commerce logistics with 24/7 IT-enabled operations, Brexit-related trade support, offshore wind sector logistics, LCL/LTL consolidation, and Class A cargo insurance. The company serves enterprise customers from offices in Szczecin, Gdynia and Świnoujście, with key verticals in manufacturing, trading, paper, e-commerce and offshore energy.

Product overview

CSL operates as a comprehensive logistics and customs agency offering an integrated suite of transport and freight forwarding services. The core product portfolio comprises maritime transport, land transport, air transport, and intermodal solutions, supported by in-house customs agency services. Specialized offerings include e-commerce logistics, offshore services, Brexit-related services, LCL/LTL shipping, and cargo insurance. The company also operates the Centrum Kultury Euroregionu Stara Rzeźnia as a cultural and events venue. Services are delivered through offices in Szczecin (headquarters), Świnoujście, and Gdynia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centrum Kultury Euroregionu Stara Rzeźnia: Cultural center and conference venue established in 2015 in renovated historic building, hosting cultural events, business conferences, and community activities

Products and services

• Maritime Transport Comprehensive sea freight forwarding including container freight and full-ship deliveries, covering port of loading through port-of-unloading services and onward transport to final destination; serves manufacturing, trading and other enterprise customers shipping internationally.
• Land Transport

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving customers for nearly 30 years with over 50 employees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Port w Kołobrzegu (Kołobrzeg Port)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Grupa CSL and Kołobrzeg Port signed cooperation agreement to support Baltic West offshore projects. The port serves as a service port for offshore wind projects.
• Orlen Neptun (Offshore Installation Terminal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026CSL is developing cooperation with Orlen Neptun at the Offshore Installation Terminal in Świnoujście, supporting offshore wind farm logistics. The terminal is considered the first step for offshore in Poland.
• Politechnika Morska w Szczecinie (Maritime University of Szczecin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Grupa CSL cooperates with the Maritime University in Szczecin, accepting interns and actively participating in maritime initiatives. CSL is a member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Engineering and Economic Transport. The cooperation includes joint projects, knowledge sharing, and workforce development.
• Collegium Balticum – Akademia Nauk StosowanychcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership agreement signed at Stara Rzeźnia. Students gain practical training, workshops, and direct contact with business practitioners. CSL provides internship opportunities, workshops, and expert lectures to students.
• Polskie Stowarzyszenie Energetyki Wiatrowej (Polish Wind Energy Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL maintains active cooperation with PSEW (Polish Wind Energy Association) as part of its offshore sector engagement. The company participates in industry discussions and initiatives related to offshore wind development.
• Północna Izba Gospodarcza w Szczecinie (Northern Chamber of Commerce)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCSL is an active member of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin. Przemysław Hołowacz serves on the Board of the Offshore Wind Cluster operating within the Chamber. The Chamber is the largest regional business chamber in Poland.
• Port Police (Port w Policach)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL maintains close cooperation with Port Police, one of the smaller ports in the region, supporting regional logistics operations.
• Elektryka MorskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBartłomiej Stępień from Elektryka Morska provided support and expert participation in CSL's presentation at a Scandinavian business event.
• MNB LegalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCSL, MNB Legal, and Urząd Marszałkowski have co-organized the 'To share knowledge and experience in business' event for approximately 9 years.
• Urząd Marszałkowski Województwa ZachodniopomorskiegocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Marshal's Office of West Pomeranian Voivodeship co-organizes major events with CSL and provides support for business development initiatives in the region. The office organized the 'Twój biznes pod banderą sukcesu' competition where CSL won Diamentowa Bandera.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Raben Group: Polish-headquartered logistics provider offering contract logistics, freight forwarding (road, sea, air), and customs services across Europe. Highly comparable to CSL as a regional Polish forwarder with multimodal services, customs agency, and warehousing — competing directly in Poland and Central/Eastern Europe.
• Eurogate Logistics: German-based freight forwarding and logistics company offering sea, air, and road transport plus customs clearance. Comparable to CSL in maritime forwarding focus, European multimodal service portfolio, and customs brokerage capabilities, particularly for Baltic/North Sea trade.
• Spedycja Polska SPEDCONT: Polish freight forwarder specializing in sea, air, and road transport with customs agency services. Directly comparable to CSL as a domestic Polish forwarder offering the same multimodal service stack and competing in similar Polish export/import flows.
• PEKAES (Raben Group): Polish freight forwarding and logistics company (now part of Raben) specializing in domestic and international road transport, sea/air forwarding, and customs services. Closely comparable to CSL on geography, service mix, and target SME/enterprise customers in Poland.
• Hödlmayr International: Austrian-headquartered logistics provider with operations across Central Europe including Poland. Comparable to CSL as a regional forwarder with road transport specialization, multimodal options, and customs support — competing in Polish-Central European corridors.
• Schmidt International Logistics: Polish freight forwarding and customs clearance company with multimodal capabilities and Szczecin port operations. Highly comparable as a same-geography direct competitor focused on maritime forwarding and customs services from the same Szczecin hub.

Emerging players

• Flexport: US-headquartered digital freight forwarder offering ocean, air, and trucking services with technology-enabled visibility and documentation. Comparable to CSL as a multimodal forwarder, but represents the tech-forward model that may pressure traditional forwarders like CSL on digital capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• GEFCO: European automotive and industrial logistics provider (now under Russian Railways/GLG partnership). Comparable as a multimodal forwarder with customs brokerage, contract logistics, and presence across Poland and Western Europe — though more automotive-sector-focused than CSL.
• DSV A/S: Global freight forwarding and logistics giant headquartered in Denmark. Comparable as a multi-modal freight forwarder with strong European presence, customs brokerage capabilities, and similar service portfolio spanning air, sea, and road transport — though operating at vastly greater scale than CSL.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Swiss-headquartered global freight forwarding and logistics company. Directly comparable as a multimodal forwarder offering sea freight, air freight, road logistics, and customs brokerage — competing with CSL in Polish and European corridors but with substantially greater scale and global network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cslinternationalespedition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csl-internationale-spedition-sp-z-o-o

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CSL