Wheelie,
You're not doing anything wrong. There is no easier way.

With the exception of certain "first world"--particularly transatlantic--air/seafreight routes, there is no regular or ordinary communication or contact method that always works best in all parts of the world, at all times.

Stephen's suggestion--contacting local mcyc clubs--is a good option to
add to your repetoire, but it's only another possibility.

The worldwide freight transportation infrastructure is so variable that almost every situation-routing-market is different, in terms of the actual transport options, and who, specifically, to contact at what level of what provider/ organization.

And, if there is any "regularity," it is that the system is NOT set up to respond to individuals wanting to transport single personal vehicles. There is little margin/ incentive for aircargo or seafreight companies, or freight forwarder-agents, to deal with you/ us, because this type of service is labor-attention-detail-cost intensive compared to the types & scale of cargo customers that generate the most revenue for carriers and agents.

Another suggestion: using your Norway-Iceland example, you say you used EMAIL to (attempt initial) contact with various possible transport company options, presumably based in Oslo. I would offer that, if initial email or tel contacts do not generate any response, that you go personally to any providers' office location and engage an onsite rep/ agent directly, face-to-face. That will sometimes help cut through the(ir) information overload that your emails are only a miniscule part of.

Carry on...and continue to add your own experiences to this HUBB and similar targeted word-of-mouth/ online sources.