core sector communique

INCHCAPE SHIPPING SERVICES LAUNCHES

 

INTEGRATED CREW TRAVEL & LOGISTICS SERVICE (ICLS)

 

10 November 2010

 

Inchcape Shipping Services has launched ICLS, a unique ‘home-to-cabin’ product for managing the total global travel and in-country logistics requirements of ships’ crews, technicians and other marine related personnel.

 

Jon Corner, Executive Vice President Group Commercial for ISS, commented: “The product has been created by bringing together as a single offering the activities of the ISS hub in Mumbai, together with our global network of port agency offices and ISS GMT, the dedicated marine travel unit of the ISS Group.”

 

ISS already coordinates the ‘last mile’ crew activity on behalf of more than 25 ship managers and marine equipment companies. This means providing airport meet and assist, hotel bookings, local transportation and port access. Last year over 35,000 seafarers were handled through the ISS hub in Mumbai.

 

Mr Corner said: “ISS GMT provides travel management solutions for the movement of crew, technicians and other marine personnel. We focus on bespoke airline contracts and first class customer service. By integrating the two offerings into a single product with one point of contact and a single invoicing process, we are able to offer a unique global solution for processes traditionally carried out by multiple vendors. This means we can deliver direct and indirect cost savings to our customers and provide an enhanced travel experience for the seafarer.”

 

Tim Davey, President of ISS-GMT added: “Launching this integrated product was the top priority of tying up with ISS earlier in 2010. We believe ICLS will transform the way shipowners, managers and marine equipment manufacturers and suppliers buy travel and crew logistics services.”

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors:

Inchcape Shipping Services is the world's leading marine services provider. Through its proprietary network of some 255 offices employing over 3,500 people across 66 territories, ISS provides its customers with an unparalleled global resource delivered locally and tailored to each customer’s individual needs.

Its diversified customer base includes clients across the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as serving naval, government and inter-governmental clients. Additionally, ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support and other associated marine services.

The Company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services. These include global crew and marine spares logistics; port agency management and commercial representation; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet and associated services.