Covering a vast coastline of 7,517 kilometers, the Indian shipping industry has scaled new heights in recent years. The government has also been catalyzing development through its port-led initiatives like the introduction of the model of Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) and Sagarmala which aims to build new ports within short distances, improve infrastructure, and reduce the cost of logistics.
This has, in turn, empowered the shipping service fraternity to eliminate most of the challenges that were hindering a smooth customer experience. Today, the key to standing out from the rest of the market lies in foreseeing potential roadblocks and assisting customers to tackle them efficiently. Instrumental in enabling the same, a leading Chennai-based streamer agent - Unicorn Maritimes India in the country - has been a trusted and reliable partner for customers since 1981.
Unicorn Maritimes has marked its niche in leveraging world-class and quality ship agency services covering consulting and port and logistic planning. Sensing the crux of pressing issues like port congestion, the company provides its customers with real-time and potential insights into the situation at the ports to help them execute seamless shipment transportation.
The brand is also lauded for its steamer agency services of dry-bulk, edible oils, and beak-bulk cargoes. In fact, Unicorn Maritimes was the first agent to handle
edible oil, coal vessels, and a cape-sized bulk carrier laden with coal cargoes in the Indian East and West Coast ports.
A People-First Organization
Unicorn Group was founded by its present Chairman Dr. Arul Anthony Joseph and is now steered by Managing Director Arul Augustin Joseph and Director Arul Raj, who strives to live by its motto - Service Thy Name - which translates to service is God. “In the 42 years of our business, I am very humbled and proud to say that we have been with our clients for more than 30-35 years in all of their good and bad days.
We have achieved growth beyond money in terms of merit, reputation, and trust of our clients, like the prestigious ship cargos, charters, and companies”, claims Arul Augustin. According to him, the same bond gives the brand a competitive edge and helps the company curate professional services as per each client’s background and needs.
Renowned for nurturing the highest number of young, yet veteran employees, Unicorn Maritimes believes that overly restrictive work rules and protocols can cripple an individual’s growth. Hence, the organization has ingrained a family-like environment, which propels the employees to work as a team towards the same goal. “We put designations only on our visiting cards.
Unicorn Maritimes, which emerged from a humble beginning in 1981 with a single chair, a table, & a telex machine, is now standing strong as an established ship agency company in India
When it comes to work, it is the team that comes forward. Sometimes, I am surprised to see their potential and I learn many things from them”, adds Arul Augustin. The brand gives each branch manager complete independence to execute tasks, monitored by the head office. The company’s culture of employees working as a family is also widely acknowledged in the shipping fraternity.
Unicorn Maritimes, which took its baby steps in 1981 with a single chair, a table, and a computer, is now standing strong as an established ship agency with a foothold in all the ports, bagging all the prestigious awards for six consecutive years. Having served as a social worker while being the Vice Chairman of the Chennai and Ennore Steamer Agents Association (CHENSAA), Arul Augustine seeks to work for the company and the fraternity alike and reinforce the shipping industry with much-deserved recognition. He also envisions transforming Unicorn Maritimes into a one-stop integrated company for all shipping services and strives to achieve the same by continuing to work hard.
