Today J.J. Kothari & Co. Ltd. is one of the most prestigious and reliable shipping companies in Djibouti. It has established business relations with many reputable shipping lines across the globe. The company maintains a dynamic and ever evolving strategy, which involves further penetration of local markets and widening their regional horizons.

They are committed to delivering a range of quality-assured marine services to each and every client. To ensure this high-level of customer satisfaction, J. J. Kothari & Co. continues to strengthen their expertise and improve their staff and support structure while always maintaining consistency and a professional vision towards achieving their well-defined goals.
History
The Kothari family has been active in Djibouti for almost 9 decades. The founder Mr. J. J. Kothari migrated to Djibouti in the early 1920’s and embarked in trading activities in erstwhile colonial Djibouti under French occupation.

J. J. Kothari & Co. Ltd, Djibouti the flagship company of the Kothari Group was established in 1957. It started off as a modest customs-clearing house which was followed by shipping agency, logistics and stevedoring activities.

As a family-owned business, J. J. Kothari & Co. Ltd. is independent of external capital investors. The family’s presence in Djibouti provides them with a competitive edge over other international companies in this extremely competitive market.

1.Port Agency

As a specialist port agency, we understand the importance of efficiency, and with teams on the ground 24 hours a day, seven days a week, everything we do is geared towards keeping our customers’ vessels, cargoes and crew on the move.

Our customers benefit from the experience and local knowledge our professional team has established with ship owners and operators, port authorities and other maritime stakeholders to bring them the highest levels of service.

  • Completion of all relevant vessel clearance documentation
  • Supervision of loading and discharging of cargo
  • Cargo customs clearance
  • Ship’s husbandry
  • Crew changes and repatriation
  • Sourcing of supplies and spare parts
  • Handling ship services including repairs and maintenance

We are experienced in handling all types of cargo whatever the shape or size. Whether you need assistance or advice with containers, RORO, break-bulk or out-of-gauge cargoes, we will meet all of your requirements.

All our services are provided by our own experienced staff members and are supported by a leading-edge IT system to ensure visibility and traceability throughout every stage of the shipping process

Our team has over 30 years of experience in arranging various charters from spot to voyage to long-term time charters for all kinds of commodities including project and out of gauge equipment, steel products, break bulk and general bulk materials such as fertilizer, grain, cement, petcoke and coal products.

Whether it’s a short sea solution you need, or you need to move your cargo further afield, our experienced brokers have unrivalled access to the most reputable vessel owners throughout the world

  • Bulk Carriers ( Coal, wheat, fertilizers, sugar, cement etc)
  • Container-liner vessels
  • Project cargo vessels (steel bars, Earth moving machines, OOG, Hydroelectric Equipment)
  • Tanker / Product carriers
  • World Naval Ships ( Port & Bunker Services)
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2.Husbandry Services

A vessel may need much more than simple ship agency services when in port. The need often arises for husbandry services, which can sometimes mean the involvement of a different agent to that which is handling the port call. JJKOTHARI providing professional husbandry services at ports and terminals all over Djibouti. These services include:

  • Ship Chandelling
  • Provisions supply
  • Crew handling – meet & greet, hotel bookings, shore pass arrangements, etc.
  • Crew welfare – doctor, dentist, couriers and prepaid telephone calling cards
  • Spares clearance and delivery
  • Inward & outward clearance
  • Liaison with local authorities
  • Follow-up activities with workshops, contractors etc.
  • Bunker fuels and lubricants
  • Communication assistance
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3.Crew Transfers

We understand how vital it is to look after your crew – that’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive range of crew transfer services. Our professionally trained teams are available 24/7 to ‘meet and greet’ and we will take care of all travel requirements, from airport to hotels / sea ports and air travel, giving you complete peace of mind.

Our team is experienced in welcoming crew members on arrival and ensuring the safe departure of repatriated crew to ensure every step of the journey is smooth and hassle-free

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4.Owners’ Protective Agency (OPA)

Vessel owners or operators often need to appoint an agent with whom they have an established relationship to oversee or supervise the charterers’ agent and monitor port call operations with the owner’s interests uppermost.
This facility to vessel owners & operators can offer any solution of OPA services including a combination of any/all of the below:

  • Confirmation of port restrictions or any port operating matters such as port or berth congestion.
  • Cost control of proforma disbursement account provided by charterer’s agent.
  • Receipt of owners’ funds and disbursement to charterer’s agent if required.
  • Reporting of port call operation in format / procedures required by owner.
  • Attendance onboard vessel throughout entire port call, assisting the Master.
  • Checking / Verification of all cargo documents, charterer’s agent reports, time sheets and countersignature of final SOF for accuracy. Where disparities occur, inform owner and resolve conflict if possible.
  • Approval / Signatories / Issue of Bills of Lading or any other relevant documents.
  • Discrepancies during the port call on cargo or any other matters, OPA can issue letters of protest as per owner’s requirements.
  • Assisting on crew-related issues such as medical visits, medivac, certificates, crew changes, bunkers and spare parts etc.
  • Assisting with any issues requested by the owners / operators
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5.Defense Services

The strategic location of Djibouti Port attracts navy vessels of several countries participating in anti-piracy control missions in the Red Sea region.

These calls of navy vessels are mainly performed to as a part of their logistics support services for the vessels with fuel, fresh provisions, crew change and other logistical requirements including spare parts delivery as well.

At Djibouti Port, we serve navy vessels for the countries like Japan, India, Russia, and Dutch. In pursuit to meet the demands of our customers, we have in-house JP5 filtration system and tanker to transport fuel (JP5) for the helicopters on board of these vessels, which is one of the primary necessity of these naval vessels at Djibouti.

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6.Stevedoring

All activities related to Vessel Stevedoring is managed by STAR Ltd, a stevedoring company of the group. We regularly perform discharge operations of vessels discharging steel bars, coils, bulk grains, heavy lifts, earth moving machineries, vehicles, break-bulk items etc.

The in-house availability of necessary equipment’s like trucks and forklifts to perform such discharge operations facilitates all the requirements of our customers

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