The shipping industry relies on a well-connected world where customers, vessel and ports are working in sync to keep supply chains moving. One of the key ways to facilitate such connectivity is through the implementation of technology throughout the shipping sector, and a key company pushing towards a more technologically advanced shipping industry is Inchcape Shipping Services (Inchcape). Thus, in connecting shipping across the world, Inchcape is using technology and its extensive global network to help deliver a smoother, smarter and well-connected ocean.
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For almost 180 years, Inchcape has been at the forefront of the global shipping industry, backed by its global network. The company began in 1847 when two Scottish merchants came together to form a general merchanting partnership in Calcutta called Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company (MMC). Today, Inchcape’s network covers the globe, with over 250 offices spanning 61 countries, supported by its team of over 3,100 employees. Across these offices, Inchcape’s employees bring their local expertise to the company’s global network, to deliver a globally integrated shipping network backed by local agent expertise and relationships. For this reason, Inchcape today is one of the largest maritime providers in the world, driven by a technology-first approach to its operations.
As we have mentioned, technology and digitisation are pivotal to the success of Inchcape’s operations, as the company believes that through such digital solutions, it can streamline operations to make shipping faster and better, backed by data-driven statistics to enable decision-making with confidence. For Inchcape, digital solutions are pivotal to improving the shipping and logistics sector, and so it developed World of Ports, which is designed to simplify port call management with up-to-date port information. The digital, cloud-based platform collects data from ports across the world, which is provided by Inchcape’s network of agents, and combines this with AIS and geofence monitoring to provide a more connected and visible global shipping network. Through this network, Inchcape can boost operational performance and productivity, which in the process improves fixture profitability and competitiveness because this data can be used to provide more informed updates to customers backed by information taken directly from the ports. Thus, the online system provides immediate access to ports across the world in seconds for a more transparent and well-connected network.
Beyond its digital network, Inchcape also provides vital port agency services, which are committed to facilitating cargo movement and customer clearance, whilst working with vessels to facilitate key services such as repairs, maintenance, inspections, towage, and logistics services. Thus, as a company spanning all aspects of port operations, Inchcape is able to ensure the efficient and effective movement of cargo across the world. With these operations backed by its data platforms, Inchcape can help keep logistics pricing cost-effective, backed by its expertise and digital networks that enhance the shipping and logistics sector.
Every year, Inchcape makes around 70,000 port calls a year, which bring a wealth of data points to its network, to continually improve its service and logistics solutions. Throughout these operations, employees, suppliers and its global network continue to enhance the data system to help deliver shipping solutions that are more optimised on both a local and international scale. Therefore, Inchcape’s employees and offices worldwide remain pivotal in keeping its digital-first approach operational. Therefore, to ensure that employees are given the necessary tools and expertise to maintain this network, Inchcape offers in-house training programs with both mandatory and vocational modules to ensure that every expert in logistics is backed by excellence. In turn, this provides greater reliability and confidence from customers to choose Inchcape for its shipping solutions, knowing it is backed by such high standards for excellence.
As Inchcape continues to expand its network, the company has opened a plethora of new offices in recent months. One of the most recent office openings was in Mollendo, Peru. The office will provide greater shipping solutions for South America, reinforcing Inchcape’s existing offices across the region. The new office is ideally situated to serve the Mollendo Terminal and the adjacent Matarani Port, which is operated by TISU. The facilities are vital for handling the majority of Peru’s import and export trade, and so the new office will provide a comprehensive suite of services serving such valuable facilities.
Through the new office in Mollendo, Inchcape will provide full port agency as well as services such as customs clearance, crew logistics and cruise call management. The office thus strengthens Inchcape’s ability to deliver reliable, transparent and cost-effective solutions, highlighting its presence for shipowners, charterers and traders who operate across Peru’s maritime sector.
Inchcape has also opened two new offices in Merak and Dumai, in Indonesia. The offices are present in both the Merak and Dumai port areas, and will allow Inchcape to establish a strong presence in two high-activity industrial port clusters. Each of the ports handles around 150 calls annually, and so they are vital for bulk and tanker operations for Indonesia. Across these offices, Inchcape will offer solutions such as full port agency, customs clearance, crew logistics, bunkering, and fuel operations. By establishing two key offices in Indonesia, Inchcape is strategically expanding its network to reinforce its commitment to being a shipping provider that is close to its customers and present where they operate in order to facilitate seamless support throughout its services.
With the recent opening of new offices in both Indonesia and Peru, as well as many others in late 2025, Inchcape is continuing to strive towards the future, backed by a complete and integrated global shipping network. However, it is its digital solutions that remain one of the company’s primary focuses, to ensure that across its global network, customers and clients can ship their operations backed by leading global shipping technology. Through its digital network, Inchcape can remain ahead of the competition, positioning itself as the shipping partner of choice across the world.
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