LA MERCANTILE ADDS ANOTHER ARROW TO ITS BOW
28/01/13 15:40 Ship2Shore
The La Spezia-based shipagent and freight forwarder has entered the shipmanagement business as manning agent
Mario Taliercio, co-owner of La Spezia-based shipagent, together with his sister Michela, illustrates how, due to the ongoing tough crisis, which drastically hurt all operators of this sector, any available business option must be attentively evaluated, although having always operated in different segments they are definitely ailing less than others.
The company, founded in 1951, headquartered since 2005 nearby Terminal Ravano of LSCT, definitely not relocating to the ex-Oto Melara area (S2S n. 2/2007), is conceiving several plans.
“We lately established a new manning branch and despite having almost negotiated final agreement with our first customer, a well-known North-European group, shipowner made a step back! Nonetheless we won’t be dejected by this occurrence” expounds Taliercio, adding they will undoubtedly seize further international opportunities.
“Nevertheless we keep our business as agent for Algerian state company Sonatrach and Chilean CSAV – up to last year La Mercantile hosted South American global carrier in its La Spezia based premises – currently no longer calling Liguria-based port. Regarding liquid segment, the group, unlike other agents, wasn’t hurt by the negative outcome of the Agorà Worldwide Agencies Consortium (S2S n. 44/2007) which they joined together with founder Carlo Meloni of Cagliari: Transoceania of Carminati Group of Genoa, Panama and Italnoli of Civitavecchia, Panessa of Leghorn, Marittima Ravennate of Ravenna, Barion Bari, Barion Taranto, Gms Mar di Olbia, Sicily-based Marittima Mediterranea- Aloisi group, Mancuso and Lisciotto, Poseidone of Brindisi, Tonolo of Venice and Tarabocchia of Trieste.
The consortium merging small agents operating on the Italian liquid freights market on behalf of ENI intended to participate the tender called by the ‘six legs dog’ oil major joining their forces and merging with GAC Shipping so as to counter the most credited competitor ISS Inchcape Shipping Services that appointed Tositti of Venice as local partner, finally winning. “The original idea of Roberto Corrias wasn’t bad at all; unfortunately a few hindrances and a bit of bad luck flopped the plan” quietly comments Taliercio continuing that they keep focusing on an attentive knowledge of the Italian ports’ business which support their ‘Port Network’ managing system. Directly connected to domestic port terminals’ rules, to chartering activities (ships recruitment on the international market), to discharges and storage and to integrated logistic business.
“We provide services to industries and/or work with Italian or foreign correspondents. We are shipowner’s and customer’s agent when operating as international freight forwarder, ready to invest in each segment and willing to follow freights anywhere in the world, to secure a perfect delivery, definitely providing tailor-made services and betting on quality rather than quantity”.
Angelo Scorza