#NewLinerAgency – A UK liner agency, the Kestrel Group enters the Irish market this month.

Operating as Kestrel Liner Agencies (Ireland) Ltd, the firm will open its first office in Dublin, and the new entrant is expected to open further offices soon in Cork and Belfast.

The new entrant takes over the business of Greenco Shipping and the existing shareholders and employees will join the new company.

Kestrel Liner Agencies (Ireland) Ltd will represent Hoegh Autoliners, Tropical, Universal Africa Line, Cargo Levant, Nirint Shipping, Ecuadorian Line, South American Independent Line, Onego, Fednav and Nordana.

The Kestral Group was the first UK liner agent to combine liner agency with forwarding and NVOCC activity. The Group has formed strategic partnerships and joint ventures to grow the business into a global brand.

Andy Thorne, Group Chairman of Kestrel said: "Following our growth last year, opening in San Francisco in May and Cape Town in November, I am delighted that we have been able to conclude this expansion into Ireland. This is great news for the whole of the Irish market, giving shippers and consignees greater choice of carrier, and principals extended coverage.

The chairman added, “Kestrel is the first new Liner Agency business in Ireland for many years and I am certain that our stellar growth experienced elsewhere will be mirrored here. I am delighted that John Lalor, Bob Kevitt and their team are joining us.

It was confirmed by the chairman that Kestrel Liner Agencies (Ireland) Ltd will be recruiting additional sales personnel in Dublin, Cork and Belfast to assist the new strategic partnerships to grow the business. “The agency will be looking for self-motivated freight people to join, so if you know how to find logistical solutions for customers, are relationship driven and want to join Europe's fastest growing Liner Agency business, please do contact us."

Further planned expansion for 2016 includes the UAE, Namibia and additional offices in the Caribbean.

In 1994 Kestrel was formed and is the only shipping company to be named in the Queen's birthday honours list in the UK, receiving the much coveted Queen's Award for International Trade.