Business Details
20 Years
experience
Trusted Freight Forwarding Services to Africa & Global Destinations
Founded in 2006 by industry veterans Bernard Lugez and Thierry Lamy, Independent Ocean Services brings decades of international shipping expertise to global freight solutions. Our company specializes in container, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo transportation from North America to Africa and worldwide destinations. With offices in New York and Montreal, we leverage service contracts with major carriers to offer competitive rates from 23 North American ports. Our multilingual team provides personalized assistance in English, French, Portuguese, and Chinese, ensuring seamless communication across global markets. We handle all cargo types while offering value-added services like customs formalities, cargo insurance, and container stuffing.Backed by Federal Maritime Commission licensing, our focus remains on delivering reliable, cost-effective transportation solutions tailored to client needs. Through strategic partnerships and an extensive overseas network, we specialize in reaching remote African destinations with door-to-door logistics support. Our commitment to innovation and customer service has established us as specialists in transatlantic shipping routes while maintaining global service capabilities across all continents.
Services
Shipping to Africa
Worldwide Shipping
Container Shipping
Breakbulk Cargo
Customs Export Formalities
Cargo Insurance
Ocean Equipment Purchase
Container Stuffing
Pre-positioning Services
Post-positioning Services
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of combined executive experience in international shipping
- Our team provides multilingual support in English, French, Portuguese, and Chinese
- We guarantee competitive rates through major carrier service contracts
- We handle specialized cargo including vehicles, industrial machinery, and project shipments
- Our extensive overseas network ensures reliable delivery to remote African locations
Associations and certifications
- Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
Services
Container Shipping
We specialize in full-container load shipping solutions for standard and specialized cargo. Our services include container selection, stuffing assistance, and route optimization. With weekly sailings from 23 North American ports, we ensure reliable delivery to African and global destinations while providing cargo insurance options.
Breakbulk Cargo
Our breakbulk expertise handles oversized and non-containerizable cargo including industrial machinery and vehicles. We coordinate specialized equipment, route planning, and documentation for complex shipments. This service includes port-to-port and door-to-door options with compliance support for international regulations.
Customs Formalities
We streamline customs export processes through documentation preparation and regulatory compliance services. Our team ensures proper classification, valuation, and licensing while coordinating with authorities. This service integrates with main shipping solutions to prevent delays at origin ports.
Cargo Insurance
We offer comprehensive cargo insurance coverage for ocean and inland transportation. Our risk management solutions protect against damage, loss, and delays during transit. Policies are customizable based on shipment value, cargo type, and destination-specific risks.
Worldwide Shipping
Our global network supports shipping to all continents with focus on African markets. Services include route optimization, carrier selection, and multimodal transportation solutions. We combine North American origin coverage with extensive destination partnerships to ensure end-to-end shipment visibility.
People
Bernard Lugez
Co-Founder
With 30 years in international shipping at Bollore Group and Delmas, Mr. Lugez brings deep industry expertise. He oversees strategic operations and carrier relationships while ensuring service excellence across all shipments.
Thierry Lamy
Co-Founder
Former executive with extensive experience in maritime logistics, Mr. Lamy focuses on business development and client relations. His industry knowledge helps shape the company's service offerings and market expansion strategies.
Questions
How do I request a shipping quote?
Fill out our online rate inquiry form with shipment details to receive a competitive quote within one business day.
Can I track my shipment online?
Yes, use your booking number on our tracking portal to monitor shipment status in real-time.
What cargo types do you handle?
We manage containers, breakbulk, Ro-Ro, vehicles, industrial machinery, and project cargo shipments.
Do you offer door-to-door services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive door-to-door logistics solutions including inland transportation coordination.
What African destinations do you serve?
We cover all African regions with specialized services to West, East, and Southern Africa including landlocked countries.
