As London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) approaches,
Svend Stenberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Inchcape Shipping Services, sat down with LISW25 co-founder Sean Moloney to share his perspectives on the state of the shipping industry, the accelerating pace of digitalisation, and the unshakable role of human connection in delivering exceptional port agency services.
With operations across 260 offices in more than 60 countries, Inchcape Shipping Services plays a critical role in global trade, supporting over 85% of the world’s commercial ports. Our global coverage gives us a unique insight into how the shipping industry is transforming – and how we are helping to shape that transformation.
In a recent conversation ahead of LISW25, our CCO, Svend Stenberg, offered a comprehensive view on the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry today.
Embracing Opportunity Amid Global Uncertainty
Despite geopolitical volatility and shifts in global trade policy, the fundamentals of international trade remain robust. Svend noted that over 90% of global trade still moves by sea, and that maritime transport continues to be a critical enabler of economic activity.
“We’re optimistic. While there are short-term hurdles, the long-term fundamentals of trade are strong. More importantly, we’re seeing a convergence of shipping and technology that is creating pathways for smarter, greener, and more connected operations.”
From High-Tech to High-Touch
While the shipping sector has historically been slower to adopt digital advances, recent years have seen acceleration in areas such as AI, ETA prediction, environmental monitoring, and smart documentation.
But at Inchcape, we understand that innovation on its own is not enough. The future of shipping lies in combining high-tech tools with high-touch, personal service.
“Digitalisation enables us to be more accurate, more efficient, and more agile—but ships don’t dock themselves. And they can’t be welcomed ashore by AI. People continue to be at the heart of what we do.”
This approach not only enhances efficiency but also allows our port agents and service teams to be even more focused, proactive, and responsive to customer needs.
Building Smarter Operations, Backed by People
As a company positioned at the cutting edge of maritime operations, Inchcape sees AI and automation as powerful enablers—but not replacements for human experience.
We’re already developing ways to leverage proprietary data, weather modelling, and AI-backed vessel intelligence to deliver more accurate ETAs, faster turnaround times, and improved planning for port calls. On the ground, however, it’s our people who make the difference, whether that’s lodging crew changes or assisting directly at the quayside.
“We see every technological advancement as a way to reinvest into our front-line teams—helping them provide even better service, with quicker insights, and deeper context.”
Encouraging Industry-Wide Collaboration
With digital transformation surging across maritime, Inchcape also recognises the importance of collaboration across the full supply chain. Not every stakeholder or region advances at the same pace, which is why we support inclusive progress driven by education, standardisation, and common goals.
Svend noted that:
- Customer demand is pushing for deeper data integration and visibility.
- Regulatory authorities, such as those in Singapore, are helping set new benchmarks (e.g., adoption of Electronic Bills of Lading).
- True progress comes when innovation is paired with interoperability and open communication across the shipping ecosystem.
We believe regulatory momentum combined with customer expectations will help drive broader industry standardisation, ultimately streamlining port calls and improving service levels for all.
Attracting the Next Generation of Maritime Talent
Ensuring a strong maritime future also means attracting the right talent. Inchcape is committed to developing roles that appeal to the technologically savvy next generation while continuing to honour and build on our operational heritage.
“Young professionals coming into the industry today are digital natives. That gives us powerful momentum. We’re also looking for people who want to make a difference in the real world—who understand the role of trust, who want to be on the front lines supporting global trade.”
And this balance is key: as automation expands, human intuition, empathy, and accountability become even more valuable.
Staying Relevant Through Relationships
At Inchcape, we believe the most important connections we make aren’t just digital—they’re human. It’s why we prioritise in-person interaction, field visits, and operational alignment with every customer and partner.
Our global commercial strategy is simple: listen to our customers, understand their challenges, and deliver service excellence powered by meaningful, lasting relationships.
“We’re committed to maintaining our reputation for trust and reliability. That means going beyond transactions and focusing on human connection. It’s how we’ve remained relevant since 1847—and how we’ll continue to grow in the years ahead.”
Looking ahead to LISW
As London International Shipping Week draws nearer, Inchcape is proud to once again support this important industry moment. For Svend and our entire leadership team, the event offers an invaluable chance to reconnect with clients, with colleagues, and with the wider maritime ecosystem.
“Shipping is about relationships, and meeting face to face strengthens the industry in ways that Zoom calls never can. We’re looking forward to insightful discussions, fresh ideas, and building even greater momentum for a smarter, more connected maritime future.”
Listen to the full interview with Svend Stenberg on YouTube
Explore more about how Inchcape is advancing digital innovation with human service at the centre, and meet us at LISW 2025.