INCHCAPE SHIPPING SERVICES: Global Reach, Local Impact

Inchcape Shipping Services is a global enabler of trade, delivering port agency, marine services, digital solutions and other shipping-related services in more than 2200 ports worldwide, with over 250 offices across 60 countries. The mission is simple: to handle the complex logistics of moving vessels, crew and cargo so clients can concentrate on core business and stay ahead of competition. With a workforce of over 3,200 people, ISS combines deep local expertise with the scale of a global network.

It is in these dual strengths – local presence and global consistency – that ISS claims leadership. Whether port agency, survey and inspection, project logistics, or marine supply chain hubs, the company aims to provide full end-to-end solutions across all sectors including tanker, liner, cruise, and offshore.

ISS has several recent initiatives underway that illustrate how it is expanding both footprint and influence.

SUSTAINABILITY RECOGNITION

In April 2025, ISS was awarded the Leader Category in KBR’s Sustainable Supply Chain Supplier Awards 2024. This award was in recognition of its ‘proactive approach to sustainability, driving positive change in supply chain operations and setting new standards for best practices in the maritime industry’.

 “We are pleased to announce that Inchcape Shipping Services has been named the Winner in the Leader Category of KBR’s Sustainable Supply Chain Supplier Award 2024. This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainability and our efforts to enhance responsible business practices across the global supply chain,” said KBR, an organisation established to ensure sustainability across supply chain operations.

ISS has also committed to ‘integrating sustainable solutions into our operations, supporting responsible business practices, and contributing to a more resilient global supply chain’.

GUYANA JOINT VENTURE

Another strategic move is the partnership in Guyana. ISS has entered a joint venture with Symmetry Group Inc. (SGI), which has acquired a 51% majority stake in ISS Guyana. This deal aligns with Guyana’s Local Content requirements and combines SGI’s local knowledge with ISS’s global service capabilities.

John Willemsen, VP LATAM at ISS, said: “This partnership with Symmetry is a testament to our commitment to supporting Guyana’s Local Content Policy. By leveraging our global network and service capabilities, we are confident that this joint venture will provide exceptional maritime solutions and foster local participation and economic growth.”

Kerensa Bart, President of Symmetry Group of Companies, added: “This strategic alliance with Inchcape Shipping Services represents a significant milestone for Symmetry Group Inc., and, more importantly, a commitment to supporting Guyana’s Local Content Policy. By combining our local expertise with ISS’s global reach and capabilities, we are creating a powerful synergy that will deliver unparalleled value to our clients while actively contributing to the development of Guyanese talent and businesses.” The joint venture will deliver a comprehensive suite of services including port agency, marine services, customs and logistics, supply chain management, immigration services and more.

LAS PALMAS EXPANSION

In September 2025, ISS opened a new office in Las Palmas, Spain – adding a key node in its global network to serve trans-Atlantic trade more effectively. Daniel Vikstrom, Regional CEO for EMEA at ISS, said: “Inchcape’s presence in Las Palmas marks a significant milestone in our global growth strategy,” adding that “This new office allows us to better support our clients operating in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering seamless, 24/7 service across a wide range of vessel types and maritime activities.”

The Las Palmas office will offer a full suite of port agency services including full and protective agency, bunkering, husbandry, dry-docking support and crew change logistics, as well as ship spares delivery, cash to master, cargo operations coordination, garbage and sludge disposal, medical services, underwater works and sanitary certificate formalities.

The strategic positioning is no accident. The Port of Las Palmas sees over 12,000 vessel calls annually and serves as a crossroads for container transshipments, break-bulk, bunkering, ship repairs, cruise and mega yacht operations. Infrastructure in the port includes more than 15 kilometres of berthing line, depths from 3 to 45 metres, advanced shipyard facilities, large fuel storage and well-established bunkering operations.

These recent initiatives are not isolated. They reflect an intentional strategy by ISS to deepen local engagement while scaling globally. The Guyana joint venture shows an ability to meet regulatory and economic expectations of local content. The Las Palmas expansion strengthens coverage in a logistically important region. And the sustainability award marks ESG credentials that are becoming ever more critical for clients and regulators alike.

ISS’s core advantage remains its broad spectrum of services: port agency, marine services, survey and inspection, project logistics and digital solutions. With its physical presence in more than 2200 ports, its commitment to standards and its constantly growing office network, ISS is positioning itself not just as a service provider but as a partner able to deliver consistency, reliability and regulatory alignment.

FORWARD NAVIGATION

Maintaining global leadership in the marine services and port agency world will require ISS to keep pushing on several axes.

First, continued investments in sustainability and ESG will be essential. Recognition such as that from KBR is valuable, but ISS will need to embed sustainable practices deeply in operations, supply chains and digital solutions.

Second, local partnerships will likely become more strategic. The Guyana model of leveraging local partners to satisfy policy and build capacity seems well suited for markets in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where regulatory and local content requirements are tightening.

Third, digital transformation and data-driven services are increasingly important. Clients demand efficiency, transparency and compliance. Port operations with real-time tracking and paperless workflows are likely to be prerequisites rather than differentiators.

Finally, resilience of the supply chain, including human resources, fuel and regulatory risk, will be tested by geopolitical and environmental pressures. ISS’s wide network gives it scale, but execution locally – in quality, health and safety, and compliance – will matter more than ever.

With its steady expansion, strategic alliances and a clear eye on ESG, Inchcape Shipping Services is positioning itself to leave no port untouched – not just by stretching its footprint, but by building trust, capability and value in every location. In a world of shifting trade patterns, climate rules and digital expectations, that may be the strongest definition of global leadership in shipping today.