Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world-leading marine, cargo and supply chain solutions provider, is embarking on an ambitious plan to develop its cruise business with the appointment of Grant Holmes as Vice President, Cruise Solutions.
Based out of Dubai, this new position will see Grant leading a dedicated focus on cruise business development and activities around the world, leveraging ISS’ global reach with its well-established network of offices.
With over 16 years cruise industry experience, Grant Holmes directed operations at First Choice Cruises from its inception in 1999 and was a Director at Festival Cruises managing global shore excursions, destination services and on board revenue until 2004. He also founded his own cruise consultancy, providing training for cruise line brands, Governments and port authorities as well as advising destinations such as Venezuela, Colombia, Cyprus, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bahrain on cruise strategy.
Grant will be instrumental in growing ISS’ cruise engagement across the globe, managing key cruise line accounts, streamlining communications, ensuring quality standards, sharing best practice and optimising service delivery to meet the very different demands of each cruise line segment.
ISS will participate in a number of cruise trade events to raise awareness of its plans including a presence at the imminent Seatrade Europe in Hamburg from 9-11 September 2015 as part of the Cruise Arabia initiative and a significant stand at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale next March (2016).
Michael van Hemert, Chief Operating Officer, Marine Solutions at ISS said: “I’m delighted to entrust Grant with our clear mandate to develop ISS’ cruise business worldwide. We are keen to support our cruise clients in achieving their strategic goals by tailoring the unparalleled service levels and global local expertise that ISS is renowned for to their specific requirements.”
Grant Holmes, Vice President, Cruise Solutions ISS
ISS will be at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg on the Cruise Arabia stand from 9-11 September 2015 and at Seatrade Cruise Global (14-17 March 2016) on stand 1407.
About Inchcape Shipping Services
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime and cargo services provider. With some 300 proprietary offices in 69 countries, and a workforce of over 4,000 the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.
ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated maritime services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.
Inchcape Shipping Services – A World of Local Expertise