Inchcape launching a new Centre of Cruise Excellence

The CoCE will include an itinerary management division, crew logistics management, cost control, feasibility, clearance, risk assessment and planning, as well as a hull survey and inspection service and measuring the quality/quantity of bunkering.

Inchcape’s team comprises master mariners, technical professionals and executives covering multiple topics from marketing destinations, spacing in terminals for optimized operations to equipment and services provision.

Intelligence and consultancy

‘Our intelligence and consultancy services can especially benefit more niche cruise lines that have recently downsized,’ says Grant Holmes, Inchcape Shipping Services Global Sector Head for the Cruise Industry.

Grant explains another rationale for setting up the CoCE was to build a streamlined disbursement accounting (DA) process. Inchcape’s approach is to apply the most efficient model possible for each respective cruise line regardless of size. ‘We have trained our people accordingly, so they understand each line’s invoicing, how to manage discrepancies and to ensure swift payment and cash flow.’

Crew logistics hub

Building on its crew logistics expertise – Inchcape transferred 98,000 crew in total during 2019 across all shipping sectors – the new Inchcape Cruise Crew Desk provides a 24/7 hub service for logistics and support with a single point of contact.

Covid-19 emphasized the need for immediate crew repatriation, which can be complex and involve multiple agents. Cruise lines with fewer people in the office may no longer have the resources to handle this, says Holmes.

The CoCe will also provide intelligence reports featuring security, health and travel warnings, political reviews and port, marine and tourism updates.

Recovery in sight

Holmes sums up that, ‘recovery is just a question of timing and I am optimistic for the future, especially for 2022 when we are likely to see a full recovery. The key thing for our industry is to come back and get things right from the outset in regards to health management, operational efficiency and sustainability.’