core sector communique

Inchcape Shipping Services expands office network in Chile to meet regional demand

Inchcape Shipping Services, the world’s leading maritime services provider, has expanded its office network in Chile with the opening of ISS Puerto Montt in the south of the country to meet strong regional demand.

Chosen for its strategic location ISS Puerto Montt is close to the entrance of the Patagonian Channels, the primary route for cruise companies in the region due to its dramatic scenery of glaciers and ice fields. When bad weather arises at open sea The Patagonian Channels are also very well known as the safest commercial route for vessels navigating the Pacific Ocean and provide calmer and more sheltered waters.

Southern Chile is experiencing continuous economic growth with the development of Chilean aquaculture farms, the ongoing exploration of natural resources in the area and rising demand from the cruise market.

Headed by Ricardo Carcamo, ISS Puerto Montt will focus on developing its range of port and cargo services to expand its business and has already achieved nearly 80 transit cruise call bookings for the 2012-2013 season. The office will serve the ports of Calbuco, Quellón, Corral, Puerto Montt, and the Chiloe Island’s ports of Ancud, Castro and Quellon.

Says Jaime Otero, Executive Vice President Americas: “The opening of ISS Puerto Montt is a key element of the ambitious ISS Chile geo-expansion plan to meet growth in the region and is our fifth office in the country.”

Inchcape Shipping Services is the world's leading maritime services provider. With over 280 proprietary offices in 65 countries, and a workforce of over 3,700, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.

ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.