What Inchcape Shipping Services does

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is a global port agency and maritime services provider headquartered in London, founded in 1847 and operating 250+ offices across 60+ countries with presence in approximately 85% of the world's ports. The company serves vessel owners, operators, charterers, and ship managers across seven vertical segments — Tanker, Dry Bulk, Liner, Cruise, Government, Offshore, and Ship Managers — with named enterprise customers including HMM, NYK Line, MOL, and G2 Ocean. Its service portfolio is organized into three pillars: Port Agency (full port agency, protective agency, bunker agency, canal transit, husbandry, dry docking), Marine Services (machinery services, surveys and inspection, project logistics, marine supply chain hub), and Digital Solutions (OneCape outsourced operations suite, World of Ports visibility platform, Optic Platform).

Revenue is generated primarily through professional services fees for individual port calls and bunker/husbandry services, supplemented by managed-services contracts via the OneCape suite (handling appointment-to-settlement outsourcing) and recurring subscription revenue from digital platforms. Pricing is quote-based and customized per customer; the company does not publish pricing. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales through local agents and regional managers, supported by content marketing, webinars, and industry association participation (IMPA, Intertanko, UK Chamber of Shipping, Achilles Maritime Network). ISS is privately held by UK private equity firm Epiris LLP, which acquired the business from Istithmar PJSC in 2022 coinciding with the company's 175th anniversary; Epiris has since overseen the 2024 acquisition of Grieg Logistics AS to expand Nordic presence, expansion of OneCape into HUB and DA modules, and an Achilles partnership for ESG and supply chain risk management.

Name

Inchcape Shipping Services

Legal name

Inchcape Shipping Services

Website

https://iss-shipping.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1847

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Inchcape Shipping Services is a London-headquartered global port agency and maritime services provider operating 250+ offices across 60+ countries, serving vessel owners, operators, and charterers with port call management, marine services, and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Port Agency Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore/Remote Port Call & Anchorage Services (Launch Boats, Crew Boats, Supply Runs) (TLAHAJAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Offshore Marine & Aviation Support (PSVs, AHTS, Crew Boats, Helicopters) (EUALABAJ), Nautical Safety, Navigation Aids & Hydrographic Services (TLAHAFAE), Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)

Keywords

• Port agency services
• Maritime logistics
• Vessel operations
• Marine supply chain
• Ship husbandry services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Agency Services: Full port agency services including customs clearance, cargo movements, repairs, spares, surveys, inspections, towage, pilots, crew logistics, and other vessel needs while in port. Revenue generated through service fees charged to vessel owners and operators for agency services in each port call.
2. Marine Services: Machinery services, surveys and inspection, project logistics, and marine supply chain solutions. Revenue generated through specialized marine technical services delivered by expert teams.
3. OneCape: Suite of outsourced solutions for managing port operations globally from start to finish. Handles everything from appointment to settlement, serving as trusted partner and advisor to protect financial and operational interests.
4. Digital Solutions: Digital solutions including World of Ports platform and data analytics services that improve port operations and unlock data power for informed decision-making.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is a global port agency and marine services provider delivering vessel handling, cargo operations, crew logistics, husbandry, bunker calls, canal transits, dry docking, surveys, inspections, and protective agency services to shipowners and operators in over 2200 ports worldwide. The company complements these physical services with digital platforms (OneCape, World of Ports, Optic Platform) that provide end-to-end visibility, appointment management, and outsourced port operations management.

Product overview

Inchcape Shipping Services offers a comprehensive maritime services portfolio organized into three core pillars: Port Agency, Marine Services, and Digital Solutions. The Port Agency pillar includes full port agency, protective agency, bunker agency, canal transit, husbandry services, and dry docking. Marine Services encompasses machinery services, surveys and inspection, project logistics, and marine supply chain hub. The Digital Solutions pillar features OneCape (a suite of outsourced port operations solutions comprising OneCape HUB and OneCape DA modules), World of Ports (a digital platform for port call visibility and cargo/vessel tracking), and the Optic Platform. The company operates through a network of over 250 offices across 60 countries covering approximately 85% of global ports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OneCape: Suite of outsourced solutions for managing port operations globally from start to finish
• World of Ports
• ISS Machinery Services
• ISS Assistance Services
• ISS Palumbo
• StaySafe 360°

Products and services

• Port Agency Services Comprehensive port agency offering covering full port agency, protective agency, bunker agency, canal transit, husbandry services, and dry docking. Provides local expertise in over 80% of world ports with global governance and compliance, delivered to vessel owners, operators, charterers, and ship managers.
• Marine Services Wide range of marine solutions including machinery services, surveys and inspection, project logistics, and a marine supply chain hub. Delivered by expert teams to vessel operators requiring specialized technical and logistics support.
• OneCape Suite of outsourced solutions for managing port operations globally from start to finish, handling everything from appointment to settlement as a trusted partner and unbiased advisor to shipowners and operators. Includes OneCape HUB and OneCape DA modules.
• World of Ports Digital platform providing control, visibility and transparency of entire port call operations, enabling users to plan and track cargo and vessel movements across the global port network.
• Optic Platform Customer-facing digital platform for managing shipping operations and accessing ISS services, including vessel operations and port call management functionality.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of global ports covered
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AchillesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2025ISS expanded its collaboration with Achilles by adopting the Achilles Maritime Network to improve ESG oversight and supply chain risk management globally. The move aims to enhance transparency, benchmark supplier performance, and align with ESG commitments.
• Grieg Logistics AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2024Inchcape acquired Grieg Logistics AS from the Grieg Group in June 2024, expanding its presence in Norway and the Nordics. The acquisition leverages a long-standing partnership and enhances service coverage in key Norwegian ports. The acquisition allows both companies to leverage each other's strengths, including Inchcape's global network and digital capabilities, and Grieg Logistics' local expertise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GAC (Gulf Agency Company): GAC is the closest direct competitor to ISS - a global ship agency, husbandry, and logistics provider with similar port call services across tanker, dry bulk, and liner segments. Both compete head-to-head for major shipping line contracts worldwide.
• V.Group: V.Group is a leading global ship management and maritime services company providing crew management, technical management, and corporate services to shipowners. Overlaps with ISS in vessel operations support, OneCape-style managed services, and shared customer base of major shipowners.
• Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM): BSM is one of the world's largest ship management companies, managing a large fleet and providing crew, technical, and commercial management services. Comparable to ISS in serving major tanker, bulker, and container operators with end-to-end vessel lifecycle services.
• Norton Lilly International: Norton Lilly is a US-headquartered ship agency and maritime services provider serving North American ports with similar protective agency, husbandry, and bunker call services. Directly competes with ISS's Americas operations for liner, tanker, and bulker clients.

Broad incumbents

• Wilhelmsen (Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA): Wilhelmsen is a global maritime industry group offering ship agency, marine products, and maritime services through its Wilh. Wilhelmsen Port Services division. It is a larger, publicly-listed incumbent with broader portfolio including marine products and crew management.
• A.P. Møller-Mærsk (Maersk): Maersk is a global container shipping leader with integrated end-to-end logistics including its own port services and inland logistics capabilities. While primarily a carrier, its Logistics & Services segment competes with ISS for outsourced port management and supply chain services.
• Tidewater Inc. Tidewater is a global offshore marine services provider operating one of the largest fleets of offshore support vessels. Comparable to ISS's Offshore segment (offshore vessel agency and rig support), though Tidewater operates assets directly rather than as an agent.

Others

• Wärtsilä: Wärtsilä is a global marine technology and services company providing ship machinery, lifecycle services, and digital solutions. Adjacent to ISS through ISS Machinery Services and competing for high-value marine services and digital platform spend from shared shipping customers.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas): DNV is a global maritime classification society and advisory firm providing survey, inspection, certification, and digital solutions to shipowners. Comparable to ISS's Marine Services division in surveys/inspection, and shares the shipping industry focus on digital transformation and decarbonization advisory.
• Hempel A/S: Hempel is a global marine coatings supplier serving shipowners and shipyards. Adjacent rather than direct competitor, but shares ISS's global agency-driven distribution model and overlapping customer base of shipowners and offshore operators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/20038
• Xx.com/inchcape_ss

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inchcape Shipping Services