IBL SHIPPING: Perfect Partner in Port Louis

In the west of the vast Indian Ocean, the tropical island of Mauritius sits as a last stead for vessels crossing from Southern Africa to the East. More than 700 miles from Madagascar, Mauritius is a critical stop in shipping routes between the Eastern coast of South America, the African continent and Southeast Asis as well as Australia. Despite its solitary apparently remote location, Mauritius is not lonely. It is a strategic, thriving island nation with advanced financial services and tourism sectors, and close ties to the African continent and Indian sub-continent, with historic European heritage. Here, you will receive a warm welcome. 

The country’s biggest port, Port Louis Harbour, fuels the country and is an economic driver of GDP. In just 45 km², 100,000 people bustle and hustle to bring life to the country’s capital. And those active in the maritime industry never stop – the port handles around 7.5 million tonnes of cargo annually and – the busiest port in the Indian Ocean – hosts vessels of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. Container ships, cruise liners, fishing vessels, sailing boats, pleasure yachts, and many more find their home in Mauritius at Port Louis Harbour. 

When they arrive, often weary after a long time on the sea, IBL Shipping can assist. Part of the larger IBL Group – one of the biggest diversified companies in Mauritius – IBL Shipping provides shipowner and ship management services alongside storage, drydocking, repairs and maintenance, servicing, agency services, and more. 

General Manager Capt. Thierry Perrier and Business Development and Marketing Manager Noël Rault tell Enterprise Africa that the company is searching for new opportunities to apply is unique brand of service, where the customer comes first and relationships are built on quality and reliability.

“Our strength is the way we conduct business,” explains Perrier. “We are transparent and ethical and don’t try and cheat – that is one thing that makes a huge difference. We are always on the lookout for new opportunities to serve the shipping community and enhance our portfolio.” 

Rault furthers, saying: “Our knowledge is a key strength – we all come from a maritime background. A lot of shipping agencies have pen pushers sitting in offices thinking that they know, but often they don’t. We know exactly the requirements of a vessel and that is an essential.” 

This deep maritime experience is not something that can be picked up on a short course or from a cursory glance at a journal. This is real life, built over decades, working through good and bad – IBL Shipping was appealing to the IBL Group for this reason, and clients enjoy having their trust repaid with quality. 

HISTORIC  

Driving commercial activity and generating economic benefit from the ocean is in the blood of IBL Shipping. Roots go back to the 19^th century and the nature of delivering clear and honest service holds strong today. 

“IBL Shipping is a merger between two very old companies that date back to British colonial times – Blyth Brothers and Ireland Fraser,” details Perrier. “They merged in 1972 to become Ireland Blyth Ltd Then, there was another takeover by GML Investissement and the company became IBL Ltd – no longer an acronym, but a brand name. We are the shipping arm of IBL Ltd, and this history goes back to 1860.”

This level of credibility and history within the business, accompanied by modern backing and support from the IBL Group, makes for a buoyant business that even international competitors fail to match. Perrier says that strict control at the helm of the business has helped to focus attention, allowing for excellence. 

“Ship owning and management is challenging but we are experts here,” he explains, highlighting a wide network of partners as a significant differentiator. 

“Port Agency – where a ship calls at the port and we are the local representative – is a business that requires constant attention and we are a specialist. We work for ship owners and large international operators,” adds Rault. 

“For ship owning and management, we are the only privately owned company in Mauritius. The only other ship owner is a parastatal body. On the agency side, we compete with all of the big global names that you would expect, and we are not far behind the majors which benefit from a captive market,” says Perrier. 

What keeps international operators and ship owners coming back to IBL is the efficiency in which tasks are handled as well as the sense of trust and confidence we inspire. The communication is clear, the delivery is on time, and the service portfolio is wide. 

“My vision is for us to offer a different service than our competitors,” smiles Perrier. “We don’t want to make quick money – we want to build a relationship of trust with our principals. Maybe this is not the best way to go about business for instant financial success, but we believe there will be long-term benefits. The management team is all on the same wavelength and we understand the risks and benefits in this industry.

“IBL is a structured company – it is not a one man show,” he adds. “We have a very strict code of ethics and we are very proud of our standards. There is always room for improvement but, ethically, we believe we are top of the pile. Our rates are affordable and competitive, our staff are well-trained and are always upskilling, we operate transparently – nothing is hidden and there is no side business. We highlight this as a strength because other shipping agencies do not operate to the same standards. Our first priority is our customers and staff, and everything follows the standards set at group level.” 

For Rault, provision of a streamlined process is vital. “When a vessel calls in port, we take care of everything,” he says. “We step in, and our knowledge – built on life at sea – provides reassurances to captains. When you call at a port as a foreign captain, there are so many things to worry about – it can be very stressful. Our role is to make their life as easy as possible – we have been there and we know how to handle it.” 

GROWTH STRATEGIES  

After a difficult three years rebuilding the business through the Covid pandemic, IBL Shipping is steaming onward with fresh ESG strategies and regional growth aspirations. The team of 30 will likely grow and Perrier is keen on boosting the multi-million-dollar turnover, reinforcing IBL Shipping’s status within the group.

“Until 2019, our growth was on a perfect track,” he remembers. “Then there was a bit of a slowdown through the Covid period as borders were closed. Ships could come to Mauritius – we are an island and we need to import/export mainly by seaways – but business declined. We did have support from the group and there was no disruption in our service. Since mid-2022, all restrictions were eased and business is picking up again strongly. 

“In shipping, we are going regional and growing to offer port agency services in Reunion, the Seychelles, and Madagascar. We are also reorganising our staff complement to look into other avenues so that we are not only concentrated on ship owning and management and agency services. We are developing a survey business and we are looking at many other facets of the shipping industry.” 

Expansion across new territories will help the company to build a presence in the region that few others could match. Already known for provision of logistics support in containers and maritime products, the company could further strengthen its position on a route that is popular for oil, iron, coal, rubber, and tea. The Indian Ocean Trade Route still brings life and prosperity to island nations, and IBL Shipping is keen to further that success while protecting the environment. The IBL Group cites its purpose as ‘creating a brighter, more sustainable world’ and this ambition flows into IBL Shipping, especially though the group’s seafood operations where 110,000 tonnes of tuna is processed annually. 

“We are governed by our group and head office and they are focused heavily on reductions in carbon footprint and sustainability initiatives,” says Rault. “At group level, there is some certification imminent around ESG in this regard, and it is essential. In the tuna business, plans are being rolled out to capture methane and use for energy production – nothing goes to waste.” 

Perrier adds that IBL Shipping has implemented a ship energy efficiency management plan which is now mandatory across all convention-size commercial vessels trading internationally. “That means steaming at eco-speed, the being on time to avoid waiting at ports, keeping the ship’s underwater hull free of marine growths so as to reduce friction and reduce bunker fuel consumption – there is an extensive programme in place to reduce our carbon footprint. We have also had a Ballast Water Treatment System installed on ships and we keep up to the highest standards in this respect.” 

CONSTANTLY ADAPTING  

Working to the highest standards in an industry that moves so quickly is like a battle against the tide. Fresh challenges and hurdles come each day, and for Mauritius – where coastal waters are prone to tropical cyclones – ships coming into Port Louis need reliable support.

This is where IBL Shipping’s vast network of partners, suppliers, and collaborators comes into play and helps the business to go above and beyond to deliver, while remaining within the strict code of ethics established across the group. 

“We have to interface a lot with different service providers because we work in the space between ship and owner and local authorities. We have to maintain strong contact with our partners and suppliers, and we undertake a lot of screening to ensure we partner with reputable companies with high ethical standards. There is a long list of things required to keep a vessel safe at sea,” says Rault. 

Membership of several global industry bodies is important for IBL Shipping, helping to provide certainty for customers, and ensuring the company stays at the front of the pack. 

Memberships of the APAMM (Association Professionnelle des Agents Maritimes Mauriciens), PUC (Port Users Council), MULTIPORT, and BIMCO, as well as its TRACE certification allow IBL Shipping to embrace the industry with confidence, innovation and forward-thinking. 

“Ship owning and management means you have to constantly adapt to ever-changing circumstances. It is not easy, but we do enjoy the challenge – there is nothing routine in this business,” admits Perrier. 

A veteran of sea and shore-based activity, he knows better than most about challenges in the industry, and how to overcome them with the IBL service portfolio. 

“I joined the business in 1981,” he smiles. “I was a seafarer before, and I rose from Cadet to Master, and I was asked to join the shore team. I was a project manager in the dry dock, looking after ship repair and maintenance. It is very different from shipping, but it does fall into the same group. I then moved to look after ship owning and management and I became GM which meant also looking after the agency side of the business.” 

He is clear that a career in this industry, especially in Mauritius, is rife with opportunity. “The journey has been fantastic but not always easy.” 

Taking on the challenge is important. This part of the world, and this route, is set to become more popular for shipping and leisure, and the industry requires fresh skills. A dynamic environment where loyalty is rewarded, IBL Shipping provides everything required for employees and clients to thrive. 

“IBL has given a lot to me and I have always tried to give as much as possible back. There have been many changes in the business environment that we have had to adapt and change around. We have managed through transitions well and that has been something I am proud of,” concludes Perrier. 

The company will continue to search for new opportunities to grow alongside the group, always navigating with its ethical and moral compass. For all entering Port Louis, IBL Shipping is the perfect partner.