As Caribbean economies slowly but surely recover amid the covid19 pandemic, the presence of reliable and efficient shipping networks are needed now more than ever to help bolster trade.
With more companies moving into Guyana to provide their services in their flourishing energy sector, a steady flow of equipment and goods will be needed to support their activities on the mainland.
But while new opportunities rear their head, so do challenges as rising covid19 cases in China, one of the world's largest economies and economic challenges in the US, leave shipping stakeholders concerned for the future.
Despite these challenges, general manager of Shipco Transport Ltd Julian Sammy says it's not an entirely bleak picture as local businesses can still expect quality service with a few new additions from his company.
Shipco is a subsidiary of Denmark based Scan-Group, whose history in shipping and logistics dates back to 1969.
From Scan-Group, Shipco Transport was founded in 1988 and has organically grown into the world’s leading neutral non-vessel owning common carriers (NVOCC’s) headquartered in Chatham, New Jersey. Shipco Transport operates more than 80 offices in over 30 countries across five continents.
Shipco is also a founding member of the Worldwide Alliance, an association of the world's leading neutral NVOCCs, and the AirCargoGroup, a global organisation of neutral air freight wholesalers.
With such a widespread presence it was only a matter of time before Shipco set its sights on TT to enhance their Caribbean presence.
The company also has offices in Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Their entry into TT came at a turbulent time in November 2019, just before the beginning of the covid19 pandemic which ground shipping worldwide.
Despite this, Sammy says his office has worked hard to secure its place as a leading provider of shipping services, working with freight forwarders and customs brokers to keep businesses supplied.
Speaking with Newsday at his Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas, office on Monday, Sammy says one of Shipco's key principles has been to understand the business environment of whatever country they set up shop in and develop models local companies can use.
"Any region or country that we operate, our goal is to provide clients with tailor-made services to meet their demands.
[caption id="attachment_998948" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Shipco Transport employees Kimberly Sahadeo and Sherrice Persad at the company's Trinidad launch on January 19. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
"Shipco Transport is a neutral NVOCC, which basically means we do not target direct customers/consumers, as our target market are only the freight forwarders and customs brokers. Being the only company in the Caribbean whose foundation was built on neutrality, our customers feel secure on doing business with us."
The type of cargo transported by Shipco and other shipping agencies can fall under two categories; full container load
