Inchcape Shipping
Giving Steady Bearings Through Deep Industry Experience
Inchcape Shipping has been using its vast network and titanic knowledge of the world’s ports to help companies in the energy industry for decades. By upping its abilities in survey and inspection, and using knowledge to help drive efficiency in port turnaround, the company is trusted by some of the world’s most important organisations.
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Shipping agents are the often-forgotten glue of the energy trade. 80% of goods moved around the world go on ships across the oceans, and 36% of all global seaborne trade was energy products in 2021. Of all the coal produced around the world, 15% was moved by sea in 2021. 17% of natural gas and 64% of oil was also loaded onto vessels and hauled across water.
Clearly, shipping, and shipping agencies, will play an important role in the energy transition. Simply, over the next few decades, the amount of oil and gas and coal transported by ship will reduce in order to meet the 1.5°C warming targets, but hydrogen, biomass, and ammonia will increase dramatically. Agencies that have knowledge and experience to keep products moving safely, securely, and quickly will become the trusted partners of the energy companies.
Globally, there are a number of shipping agencies that can deliver quality service, but there are few that have multi-industry, multi-location, and multi-product know-how. Inchcape Shipping, headquartered in London but with international footprint, has a history stretching back more than 175 years and is a key agency for the energy industry.
Like most, the company has expanded into the renewable energy space and is providing services across its entire network to keep routes flowing. The company is the world’s largest dedicated maritime service provider to bulk chemical, gas, and oil shipping markets. “Our extensive experience in handling such a large array of liquid cargo means we are fully equipped to handle any job, no matter the size or scope, whilst our strict adherence to world-leading practices and compliance values provides a certified level of professionalism and care,” the company says.
In new energy, Inchcape’s enthusiasm is the same: “Whether you require assistance with sub-sea construction, wind farm development, dredging or seismic marine surveys, you can access high quality agency and logistics with Inchcape.”
Typically, an agent would offer a range of services to ship owners. From travel arrangements, meet and greet, lodging, shore passes, cash to master, spares clearance and delivery, bunker supplies, berth arrangement, piloting and tugs, documentation (customs, harbour services, letter of invitation), ship provisions, medical assistance, repairs, goods handling, storage bunkering, repairs, handovers, freight, cargo collection and more; the shipping agent is vital.
SURVEY & INSPECTION
In the energy space, turning around at the port is a complex and risky process. Large vessels enter ports in tight spaces, loaded with high value cargo and tired personnel. The turnaround process must be fast and fuss-free, and this is where Inchcape stands above others.
VP Survey and Inspection at Inchcape, Chris Greenwood, explains that streamlining survey and inspection in port, using new technology, will streamline the process, improving turnaround times.
“Strategically, we are looking to maintain and develop our existing capabilities and global coverage, while anticipating and proactively addressing the emerging needs of the industry in a dynamic and evolving environment,” he says.
“This involves increasing the use of technology in our activities and having a forward-looking focus on supporting our customers’ safety, environmental and commercial needs. We will also be looking to expand partnerships where appropriate, as well as increase our engagement in the ESG space.”
The company has a presence across 2200 ports, with 245 offices in 60 countries, and survey teams are the best of the best, including master mariners, chief engineers, and naval architects.
All elements of a vessel can be expected and often inspections are required for insurance and legal purposes. When adding this service to Inchcape’s portfolio, clients begin to release significant savings and efficiencies.
“We also have very stringent governance and compliance systems in place to ensure the work is executed correctly, and to the exacting standards Inchcape and our customers rightly expect,” Greenwood says.
“The power of Inchcape, whether it is S&I or any other business line, lies in its global network. Our survey teams are on hand when and wherever our clients need us. This is especially important in the maritime industry, which never sleeps and where delays can have a significant commercial impact on our clients,” Greenwood says.
Currently, inspections around fuel are becoming increasingly important. IMO MARPOL compliance and adhering to sulphur cap regulations make mandatory inspections more important than ever, but there are basic maintenance functions that can be completed to ensure improved efficiency. Cleaning of the hull and regular underwater surveys can improve fuel efficiency and bunker quantity surveys can guarantee the correct volume of fuel delivered.
“Asset integrity and maintenance is also a huge part of a shipowner’s capex and so it is vital to ensure the appropriate level of oversight is provided to avoid charter party claims, off-hires, and expensive and unplanned dry-docking costs,” says Greenwood.
Robbie Mclellan, Head of Global Marine Supply Chain, is also certain that speedy port turnaround is something that should top the priority list for ship owners.
“Ship owners and managers are facing logistical challenges with rising costs of procurement and delivery, supply bottlenecks, a lack of capacity to handle increased workload, and a lack of visibility and transparency that have affected port turnaround times.
“We are able to streamline that process by providing a single point of contact for the vessel operators and having a single digital channel of communication through our global offices, which means we can control the cost factor,” he says.
“Cost-efficient port turnarounds are critically dependent on local expertise and voyage intelligence, together with effective communication and vendor collaboration, to avoid unnecessary costs and keep the wheels of supply chain logistics running smoothly,” he adds.
Inchcape has not only the history and expertise, but the network around the world which makes for constant updating of best-in-class practice easier than for others who only operate locally or regionally.
STEADY CRUISING
A champion of efficiency across the board, Inchcape Shipping has been taking its laser-focus on best-practice from energy into the cruise sector. Based on high-traffic and high-volume, the industry is littered with inefficiency and it is not uncommon to see cruise ships queued to access ports, wasting energy and fuels. However, Inchcape is redrawing the maps, opening up new destinations, and helping cruise companies to become more efficient.
Global Vice President Cruise Solutions, Grant Holmes says: “We are now engaged in widespread consultations in different parts of the world to develop plans for sustainable ship and passenger capacity for each destination.”
He is particularly keen on opening up markets in Africa and the Middle East where a rebound in the post-pandemic world is required. As part of its port agency offering, the company provides husbandry services for cruise ships, tapping into advantageous pricing for supplies with its extensive local networks of approved vendors, along with 24/7 crew logistics, ground handling, bunkering, and surveying.
Marquee destinations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha are becoming more attractive and the company is helping to relieve pressure on the ports with effective management. “Nowhere else in the world is expanding so rapidly,” Holmes says.
“This means that we calculate what should be the limit for the number of ships and passengers calling at a port on any given day to ensure it remains sustainable. In this way, everybody wins: guests have a better experience, there is less pressure on local resources and tourist attractions, and emissions in port are reduced significantly. The use of electric vehicles also enhances the sustainability of shore excursions,” he adds.
From a fuel perspective, the cruise industry has the potential to make quick changes to become more sustainable. But there is a shortage of LNG bunkering facilities at many cruise ports which will limit the extra-large LNG powered ships. Hybrid ships, or those running on biofuels, will be caught up in congestion as the large vessels wait for capacity around LNG loading. This proves the need to effective management across routes and highlights the need for effective ship agency services.
Highlighting the Inchcape ability to deliver at the top end of the spectrum, the company was trusted by another of the world’s major energy businesses recently when it claimed an agreement with Equinor to handle port agency requirements. From June 1, Inchcape began the contract and is busy delivering excellence.
“Equinor has a diverse portfolio of projects, including oil and gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, with a goal to become a net-zero energy company by 2050. We are honoured to work with such an esteemed company,” said VP Commercial EMEA, Hege Solstad. “We also want to thank the Equinor team for selecting us and for the smooth onboarding process.”
With the changes underway in the energy industry, and the obvious changes that will need to come in shipping to cope with the energy infrastructure of the future, the shipping agencies have a big role to play. Inchcape is happy to bring its range of services wherever required, even as the often-unseen linchpin.
Navigator Shipping: Your Trusted, Experienced Partner for Libyan Energy Trade
The leading shipping agency in Libya, Navigator Shipping connects all key players in the energy industry and is the expert partner for all port operations in and out of the country.
Since 1961, when Libya started exporting oil, the country has remained a powerhouse energy nation, home to largest oil reserves on the African continent. Libya exports to Europe and other regions, adding natural gas to its exports in 1971. But moving product to and from the country has been a logistical challenge in recent years with a changing political landscape and multiple regulatory hurdles.
On the ground, the leading shipping agency is helping the world’s largest energy companies to import and export from Libya. Navigator Shipping Company, headed by Captain Tarek Shukri, has been the Libyan partner for international clientele since opening its hatches in 2011.
Shokri has held every position in the industry and has the connections across Libya and further to build a network of reliable and trustworthy partners.
“We are the face of Libya in the energy sector when it comes to loading and discharging shipments.
“Navigator Shipping Company is the number one agency working in oil and energy shipments in and out of Libya,” he says, adding that the company is the oldest agency in Libya since private companies entered the market.
Around 70% of Libya’s export earnings come from oil and 60% of GDP is a result of the oil and gas sector. Navigator is active across the major ports (Tripoli, Benghazi, Marsa-El Brega, Misrata, and Al Khoms) as well as the smaller ports and harbours. By providing transparency and working to international standards, Navigator has crafted a reputation for excellence. Shukri puts this down to the team and the local knowledge.
“Our staff is highly experienced and available 24 hours a day. Our banking procedures are very easy and we have accounts for safe payments from Europe and the Middle East. We have multiple awards from clients and we have been working with the major oil companies. Navigator is ISO certified and follows all of the latest technology developments from around the world. We always keep our clients in the loop and inform them of all situations in Libya.”
The medium-term goal for Navigator is to be recognised as the industry leader in the energy sector across Libya. Longer-term, the company hopes to be the face of renewable energy as the country broadens its domestic generating mix. “We are a team that has been exposed to many different cultures and regions, and that has expanded our vision. We believe that Navigator can be the face of the renewable rollout here. The world will be changed with green energy and we are following that so that we can provide answers to questions that will come around this sector,” says Capt. Shukri.
As Libya and the energy space changes, Navigator will remain at the heart of all movement, and global energy businesses can be confident of world-class service and a powerful long-term partnership.