THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica comprises more than 60 member-companies. In the coming weeks, we will feature some of our members as they undergo changes and further development. Below is our second article highlighting International Shipping Limited, a member of the SAJ since 1975 .
With the motto 'Performance Beyond Expectation', International Shipping (Intership) Limited, a local steam ship agency, is consistently seeking to deliver quality service to its customers including the shipping lines it represents. In fact, pleasing customers is the basic tenet of the company's strategy for growth and development.
"Our strategy is consistently listening to customers and satisfying their demands as well as keeping them informed of development relevant to their business," said the managing director of the company, Donovan Martin, recently.
A subsidiary of Grace, Kennedy Group of companies, International Shipping was established more than 20 years ago, and provides a wide range of general agency services including liner and tramp operations, vessel husbandry, claims facilitation, customs clearance, freight forwarding, inland haulage, container control and freight consolidation/deconsolidation.
"We create value for customers, principals and shareholders by providing quality and cost-effective shipping services that fully meet their requirements through a motivated and competent staff," pointed out Intership's marketing manager, Sonia Williams in an interview.
"We strive to please our customers by shipping cargo to and from various ports around the world as part of our function; we seek to ensure that cargo arrives safely and is delivered on time to our customers," Mrs. Williams explained.
She said the company stands out in the industry because of its customer relations, coupled with the fact that the company would always go the extra mile for its customers, advising them about cargo before arrival, offering courier service and other ways to improve service generally.
Turning to the progress of the company over the years, she said the agency has advanced significantly in terms of acquiring reputable principals and the quality of service it delivers. For the future, Intership plans to achieve and sustain a reputation of being the shipping agency of choice in Jamaica and encourage new trade.
The company's operations are fully computerised and linked into sophisticated communication systems that allow customers on-line access. The company currently has four departments and about 17 persons on staff.
International Shipping's principal customer is the newly amalgamated French container line CMA/CGM. It also represents the CAGEMA service, Hual Autoliners and three NVOCC operators.
