Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the marine, cargo and supply chain solutions provider, said it is continuing its expansion program in the Black Sea region with the opening of a new office in Ukraine.
Situated in Odessa, this new base is part of the company’s drive to expand its presence across the Black Sea region alongside its existing Turkish offices in Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin and Izmit, ISS said.
With a diversified market for overall shipping calls and strong trade connections between Turkey and Ukraine, the new office location offers numerous strategic benefits. For example, ISS will now be able to provide agency services for the Turkish Straits and Ukrainian ports from one location, as well as add value for customers via its strong logistical connections to other countries in the region.
One of the largest exporters of grain, seed oil and semi-finished iron, Ukraine additionally has good railway links to transport cargo from its ports to Baltic countries and Russia, as well as connections to other Black Sea ports for Ro-Ro services.
With the region also attracting cruise traffic, services provided by the new office will include a wide range of marine and cargo activities such as port agency and crew logistics services, vessel husbandry and freight forwarding.
Commenting on the new opening, Kadir Kaya, ISS General Manager for Turkey and Black Sea said: “Customers in Ukraine will now be able to benefit from the same high service standards that ISS delivers worldwide. This local presence will also enable us to efficiently serve the cruise and container line market.