Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) recently announced the launch of its Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) service within the United States. This strategic move follows the successful acquisition of a license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which grants ISS the authority to operate as an NVOCC.
Traditionally known for its shipping agency services, ISS's entry into the NVOCC space signifies an expansion of its service offerings. This allows the company to directly contract with ocean carriers for vessel space and then issue its own bills of lading to shippers, effectively acting as a virtual carrier.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development means a new option in the US market for ocean freight services. It could potentially introduce more competition and choice for securing vessel space, particularly for those looking for integrated solutions from a single provider. Shippers might benefit from streamlined processes and potentially more competitive rates due to ISS's direct relationships with carriers. This could impact capacity and routing decisions, offering alternative booking channels and potentially more flexible service arrangements.
The immediate next steps for ISS will likely involve integrating this new NVOCC capability into its existing global network and actively marketing these services to US-based shippers and forwarders.
