Two port agencies, the UAE-based Sharaf Shipping Agency (SSA) and Singapore’s Ben Line Agencies, have joined forces to establish a new global agency company for the wet and dry bulk shipping and commodity markets, WaterFront Maritime Services.
To become operational on April 1, 2017, WaterFront Maritime Services is equally owned by SSA and Ben Line Agencies but will operate as an independent corporate and commercial entity.
The move comes as the two companies intend to “set a new standard in port agency.”
WaterFront will be headquartered in Dubai with offices in Singapore and Miami as well as operational hubs in Jakarta and the United Arab Emirates.
The company will focus its services on ship owners and operators, charterers, managers and traders involved in the movement of coal, grains, iron ore, minor bulks and project cargo as well as crude oil, clean and dirty products, chemicals and gas.
“By specializing in particular commodity trades and offering solutions tailored for each individual customer, WaterFront will provide end-to-end control over the shipping supply chain through a single point of contact,” WaterFront said in a statement.