UNITED LINER AGENCIES OF INDIA PVT. LTD.
UNITED LINER AGENCIES OF INDIA PVT. LTD. (ULA) is a historic Indian freight forwarding and marine services company with deep roots in Mumbai and a nationwide port presence. Established in 1947 as a wholly owned subsidiary of prominent Scandinavian shipowners, the company has grown alongside India’s evolving maritime and logistics landscape. The original profile notes that ULA was founded by Wilh. Wilhelmsen from Norway, Swedish East Asia from Sweden, and East Asiatic Co. from Denmark, reflecting a legacy connected to global shipping houses and international trade networks. In 1972, the company became part of the Kotak Group, aligning its operations with one of India’s leading financial and corporate groups. This ownership evolution highlights a long-standing track record in integrating shipping heritage with modern logistics capabilities.
ULA operates from its head office in Mumbai and maintains dedicated offices at major Indian ports and Inland Container Depots. This networked footprint supports a range of maritime and inland logistics activities, ensuring that the company can coordinate complex supply chains across port operations and hinterland movements. The company emphasizes its integrated service model, combining ship agency and stevedoring services with freight forwarding (MTO), ship chartering, and ownership and management of container freight stations (CFS) and container terminals. Such a combination suggests a focus on end-to-end cargo handling, including vessel liaison, cargo reception, yard management, and containerized cargo operations, all within a single organizational framework.
Quality management is highlighted through ISO 9001:2000 certification, signaling a formal commitment to standardized processes and customer-focused service delivery. While the profile does not enumerate every service line in detail, the listed capabilities indicate a diversified approach to maritime logistics, container terminal operations, and freight forwarding. The reference to stevedoring and container terminal management suggests that ULA can manage physical handling at ports, which is critical for efficient vessel turnaround, cargo security, and accurate documentation. In addition, ship chartering indicates capabilities in securing vessel space and managing contractual arrangements for cargo carriage, which can be essential for project cargo, time-sensitive shipments, or routes requiring specialized sailing schedules.
The historical association with internationally recognized shipping entities and the subsequent transition to the Kotak Group underscores a sustained focus on reliability, governance, and a broad service offering that aligns with evolving customer needs in a competitive Indian and regional market. ULA’s profile implies a company that leverages its port-centric presence and experienced workforce to facilitate smooth port calls, cargo handling, and freight forwarding operations. The combination of ship agency, stevedoring, chartering, and terminal management points to an integrated, multi-disciplinary capability set that can support both standard liner trades and more complex import/export, domestic distribution, and containerized cargo flows. While the original material centers on corporate history and structural capabilities, the resulting picture is of an established, organization-wide approach to maritime services and logistics excellence that is anchored in Mumbai with a broader national port network.
For potential clients looking for a traditional, well-established partner with a long track record in port operations, containerization, and freight forwarding in India, ULA offers a portfolio grounded in legacy shipping expertise, complemented by modern management practices and a scalable network at key locations. The emphasis on ISO-certified processes further reinforces a commitment to quality control, consistent service levels, and compliance with standard industry practices across its operations. Although detailed service descriptions beyond the enumerated areas are not provided in the source material, the company profile signals a capacity to coordinate complex logistics tasks that span vessel engagement, cargo handling, inland distribution, and container terminal management, all within a single corporate framework.




