Sharaf Shipping Agency

What Sharaf Shipping Agency does

Sharaf Shipping Agency (SSA) is a Dubai-headquartered ship and port agency established in 1976 and operating as the maritime services arm of the diversified Sharaf Group (founded 1968). The company provides comprehensive maritime agency and logistics services — including ship agency representation, 24/7 tanker hub operations, ship supply, dry docking coordination, cruise and naval vessel handling, chartering and broking, freight forwarding, logistics and warehousing, project cargo, anti-piracy security under GUARDCON/BMP4 frameworks, and P&I correspondent services — serving ship owners, charterers, tanker principals, P&I Clubs, and trading houses across container, tanker, dry bulk, car carrier, cruise, and naval vessel segments. Operations span owned offices in 30+ countries across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent, with representative offices in Tokyo, Beijing, and the United Kingdom, anchored by a centralized 24/7 hub in Dubai providing real-time vessel and cargo tracking through the TrackTracSSA system plus mobile applications on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone platforms.

The business is a professional services and freight forwarding model: revenue is generated through quote-based, customized pricing on ship agency mandates, multi-year service contracts with principals, and project-based logistics work, with a publicly accessible SSA Tariff File listing local charges by shipping line (TSS-Triton, SMC, Summit Line, Transmar, WEC, Sidra, SCI, and Sharaf-owned lines). GTM motion is primarily enterprise field sales through direct relationships with vessel owners and operators, supplemented by B2C/B2B self-service digital channels. The company is ISO 9001:2015 DNV certified and accredited across BIMCO, Intertanko, TT Club, NAFL, and DSAA, with 1,000+ professionals including a P&I Hub team with 100+ years of combined maritime experience (predominantly ex-Master Mariners). The company has been consistently recognized through industry awards from Lloyd's List, Seatrade, Maritime Standard, and SCATA between 2007-2017, including a 2016 Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ownership sits with the family-controlled Sharaf Group, a UAE-based diversified conglomerate with operations in Shipping & Logistics, Supply Chain, Retail, Travel & Tourism, IT, Financial Services, Hospitality, and Real Estate. The company is privately held with no disclosed private equity, venture capital, or public shareholders, and no funding rounds are on record, indicating the business is funded organically or through parent-group capital.

Name

Sharaf Shipping Agency

Legal name

Sharaf Shipping Agency L.L.C.

Website

https://sharafshipping.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Sharaf Shipping Agency is a Dubai-based ship and port agency providing comprehensive maritime agency, tanker hub, logistics, and P&I correspondent services to ship owners, charterers, and operators across 30+ countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Indian Subcontinent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Ship Agency Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Port Call Clearance & Documentation (Arrival/Departure, Customs/Immigration/Health) (TLAHAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spare Parts, Ship Chandlery & Logistics to Vessel (TLAHAJAF), Protecting Agency & Dispute/Contingency Handling (Charterer/Owner Interests) (TLAHAJAL), Offshore/Remote Port Call & Anchorage Services (Launch Boats, Crew Boats, Supply Runs) (TLAHAJAM)

Keywords

• Ship agency services
• Maritime logistics
• Port agency operations
• Ship supply services
• Tanker hub agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ship Agency Services: Core ship agency services including vessel turnaround, berth allocation, documentation, loading/unloading coordination for container vessels, tankers, car carriers, dry bulk carriers, cruise vessels and trampers
2. Tanker and Hub Agency Services: Comprehensive tanker agency services including vessel/cargo/crew handling, dry docking coordination, repairs, provisions, spares, bunkering, STS operations and husbanding services with centralized hub operations
3. Ship Supply Services: Round-the-clock ship supply services including crew changes, visa processing, provisions, spares delivery, bunker coordination, launch services, and waste disposal
4. Chartering & Broking: Chartering and broking services including marketing reports, post fixture handling, voyage analysis, and disbursement management for charterers and owners
5. Freight Forwarding: Air freight, sea freight, and door-to-door delivery services with integrated network of global partners for documentation, insurance, and route optimization
6. Logistics & Warehousing: Comprehensive logistics services including purchasing, supplier management, materials management, manufacturing coordination, inventory management, warehousing, distribution, and transport
7. Project Cargo Handling: Specialized handling of project cargo including steel pipes, rig legs, cranes, excavators, cables and heavy machinery with route planning, packaging, haulage, and overseas handling
8. Anti-Piracy Security Services: Maritime security services including armed/unarmed security guards, logistics and ground handling, security equipment arrangement following GUARDCON contracts and BMP4 guidelines
9. P&I Correspondent Services: P&I Club representation and correspondence services in UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman and Qatar covering cargo claims, arrests, damage to objects, crew matters and loss prevention
10. Dry Docking Services: Dry docking coordination at Dubai Dry Docks and globally with classification societies, class surveyors and technical coordination
11. Cruise & Naval Services: Complete ground handling for cruise ships including pre-cruise arrangements, visa processing, passenger handling, transportation, excursions, and desert safaris. Naval vessel handling with security coordination

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sharaf Shipping Agency (SSA) delivers a comprehensive suite of ship and port agency services from a 24/7 Dubai hub to shipping lines, tanker operators, charterers, P&I Clubs and cruise lines across more than 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Indian Subcontinent. Its service portfolio covers vessel turnaround, documentation, husbanding, ship supply, dry docking coordination, chartering and broking, freight forwarding, project cargo, anti-piracy security, and P&I correspondent representation, executed through directly owned offices, advanced IT systems, and ISO 9001:2015 DNV-certified processes.

Product overview

Sharaf Shipping Agency (SSA) operates as a comprehensive maritime services provider offering a full suite of shipping and logistics solutions. The core offerings include Ship's Agency Services, Tanker and Hub Services, Ship Supply Services, Dry Docking coordination, Cruise & Naval Services, Chartering & Broking, Freight Forwarding, Logistics, Project Cargo, Anti Piracy Security Services, and P&I Correspondent Services. The company operates a hub-and-spoke model centered in Dubai, providing 24/7 operations across more than 30 countries in Middle East, Africa, and Asia with real-time IT connectivity and standardized ISO-certified procedures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ship's Agency Services Comprehensive port agency representation for container, tanker, car carrier, dry bulk, cruise and tramper vessels, providing quick vessel turnaround, berth allocation, documentation, loading and unloading coordination for ship owners, operators and charterers.
• Tanker and Hub Services 24/7 tanker agency hub covering ULCC/VLCC to product tankers carrying crude oil, products, chemicals, LPG and LNG, with vessel/cargo/crew handling, dry docking coordination, repairs, provisions, spares, bunkering, STS operations and husbanding services.
• Ship Supply Services Round-the-clock ship supply across UAE ports and 30+ countries, including crew changes, visa processing, provisions, spares delivery, bunker coordination, launch services, and waste disposal for vessel operators.
• Dry Docking Coordination Dry docking coordination at Dubai Dry Docks and global shipyards, including liaison with classification societies, class surveyors, repairs, and technical coordination for vessel owners.
• Cruise and Naval Services Complete ground handling for cruise liners and naval vessels, including pre-cruise arrangements, visa processing, passenger handling, transportation, excursions, desert safaris and security coordination.
• Chartering and Broking Chartering and broking services with exclusive and non-exclusive broker networks, marketing reports, post-fixture handling, voyage analysis, and disbursement management for charterers and ship owners.
• Freight Forwarding Air freight, sea freight, and door-to-door delivery services with a global partner network, including documentation, insurance, route optimization, and customized cargo movement for shippers and consignees.
• Logistics Services End-to-end logistics including purchasing, supplier management, materials management, warehousing, distribution, transport, and customer service, supported by real-time IT systems for cargo customers.
• Project Cargo Handling Specialized handling of project cargo including steel pipes, rig legs, cranes, excavators, cables and heavy machinery, with route planning, packaging, haulage, overseas handling, storage and delivery.
• Anti-Piracy Security Services Anti-piracy maritime security for vessels transiting piracy-affected areas, including armed and unarmed security guards, logistics and ground handling, equipment arrangement, following GUARDCON contracts and BMP4 guidelines.
• P&I Correspondent Services P&I Club representation and correspondent services in UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman and Qatar, including cargo claims handling, arrests, letter of guarantees, damage to objects, crew matters, and loss prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 professionals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BIMCOcoreOthersAccredited member of BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council), a leading international shipping association providing standards and support for the shipping industry
• IntertankocoreOthersAccredited member of Intertanko, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, representing tanker owners and operators globally
• TT ClubminorOthersMember of TT Club, the international mutual insurance company providing transport and logistics insurance products
• NAFLcoreOthersAccredited member of NAFL (National Association of Freight and Logistics) in UAE
• DSAA (Dubai Shipping Agents Association)coreOthersMember of DSAA, the Dubai Shipping Agents Association representing shipping agents in Dubai
• DP WorldcoreOthersStrategic partner for port operations as referenced in important links. SSA handles agency services at DP World terminals including Jebel Ali Port
• Abu Dhabi Ports CompanycoreOthersStrategic partner for port operations at Abu Dhabi ports. SSA provides comprehensive agency services at Abu Dhabi Port and related terminals
• Port of FujairahcoreOthersSSA provides anti-piracy security services with multiple embarkation/disembarkation points including Fujairah
• Sharjah Port AuthoritycoreOthersSSA handles agency services at Sharjah Port and Hamriyah port
• Saqr PortcoreOthersSSA provides port agency services at Saqr Port in Ras Al Khaimah
• Maritime Security CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTie-up with reputed and experienced maritime security companies to offer unique range of fully certified and globally accredited anti-piracy security solutions following GUARDCON contracts as directed by BMP4

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inchcape Shipping Services: ISS is a global port agency and maritime services provider covering vessel agency, hub agency, protective agency, and husbandry services across 60+ countries. Direct competitor to SSA in Middle East, African, and Indian Subcontinent port agency calls, especially for tankers and cruise vessels.
• GAC Group: GAC is one of the largest global ship agency and logistics groups, offering port agency, ship supply, freight forwarding, and contract logistics across 50+ countries. Closest direct competitor to SSA in MEA and Indian Subcontinent agency work, with overlapping tanker and bulk agency offerings.

Regional players

• PIL (Pacific International Lines): PIL operates liner services with strong intra-Asia, Middle East, and Africa coverage and relies on regional agents (a category that includes SSA) for port calls. Comparable as an SSA principal rather than direct competitor; useful for benchmarking agency service expectations in the MEA-Asia trade.
• Bahri (Saudi Arabia): Bahri is the national shipping carrier of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest VLCC operators globally, with significant port call and hub agency needs across Gulf and Red Sea ports. Direct comparable customer/principal for SSA's tanker hub and VLCC husbandry services, though Bahri also competes for some government-mandated agency work.

Broad incumbents

• Maersk (Svitzer / Maersk Agency): Through its agency and logistics arms, Maersk offers ship agency, hub services, and integrated logistics to container, tanker, and offshore clients globally. SSA competes with Maersk's agency offering particularly on liner and integrated supply chain work, though Maersk is far larger and broader.
• V.Ships: V.Ships is the world's largest third-party ship management and crew management company, with adjacent port agency and husbandry services through its network. Comparable to SSA in providing husbandry, crew change support, and port call services to tanker and bulk owners.
• Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Agency: MSC operates one of the world's largest container shipping networks with agency operations in MEA ports that overlap with SSA's liner and feeder agency work. SSA also serves MSC competitors; comparable for container feeder, break-bulk, and project cargo agency work.
• Bolloré Logistics (now CMA CGM Logistics): Bolloré/CMA CGM Logistics provides freight forwarding, port logistics, and supply chain services across Africa and the Middle East — overlapping with SSA's freight forwarding, project cargo, and logistics lines, especially in West and East Africa where SSA has its own offices.
• Wilhelmsen Ship Management: Wilhelmsen operates a global maritime services portfolio spanning ship agency, ship management, products, and maritime logistics, with a particularly strong port agency footprint in the Middle East. Overlaps with SSA on ship agency, ship supply, and crew services; broader in scope and a publicly listed parent.

Others

• DP World: DP World is the operator of Jebel Ali and a global portfolio of marine terminals, and is a strategic partner of SSA for port operations. Not a direct competitor but a critical enabler and counterparty for SSA's Gulf agency business — and a potential insourcing threat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SharafGroupofcompanies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sharaf-group
• Xx.com/sharafshipping

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries30 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Sharaf Shipping Agency