ISC Creates New Marine Consulting Unit

In July, we announced the formation of our newMarine Division, headed by Kevin Wolfe and including John Kiernan and Marquam (“Marq”) Wolfe. The division is expanding with the creation of ISC Marine Consulting providing comprehensive risk management services to assist clients with marine exposures and concerns. Our services include everything from a supply-chain review to Project Cargo logistics surveys; overall project management, terminal operations, heavy lift/engineered transportation, and hull builder’s risk and yard assessments; transportation logistics; and port facility analysis.

Meet Captain Andrew Kinsey, Director of Our Marine Consulting Unit

Heading our Marine Consulting unit is Captain Andrew Kinsey, a seasoned maritime professional with a career spanning more than 25 years at sea and a globally recognized industry expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience across all facets of the maritime landscape.

Andrew’s connection to the sea runs deep, tracing back to his family’s long lineage of maritime professionals. His father, brothers, cousins, nephews, and now his son have been involved in the maritime industry. This familial legacy fueled his passion early on, leading him to graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. “When they asked me in kindergarten what I wanted to be, I said an AB tanker man,” Andrew recalled, a role he had to explain even then—a deckhand with specialized skills in loading and unloading tankers.

Andrew’s early experiences were shaped by the rugged environment of New York Harbor, where his father worked and where he spent much of his childhood around tugs and barges. This hands-on upbringing laid the foundation for his career, which took him around the globe on various sea routes. “I’ve grown up on the sea, and when we talk about making things safer at sea, for me, it’s personal,” he said, reflecting on the loss of friends to marine incidents—a reminder of the real stakes involved in maritime risk management.

From Sea to Surveying

After decades at sea, Andrew leveraged his experience and began surveying and evaluating vessels’ conditions and risks which expanded to all areas of the maritime field. As Andrew explained, surveying involves applying a lifetime of maritime experience to identify and manage marine risks. His expertise became increasingly sought, leading him to roles at major carriers like ACE and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty before joining ISC.

Andrew’s Role at ISC

At ISC, Andrew’s Director role is pivotal in developing our new Marine Consulting unit. He brings a unique set of skills to the table, particularly in evaluating the condition and value of marine assets, whether they be ships, cargo, entire port facilities, or other marine-related exposures.

Under Andrew’s leadership, ISC’s risk consulting services will be available to ISC clients as well as directly to other customers. This business model allows us to serve a broader range of clients, including manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and logistics providers who rely upon the expertise marine risk consulting can provide as they look to protect the integrity of their global supply chains.

Global Challenges and the Future of Marine Risk Management

The fluid nature of global trade, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions, has underscored the importance of robust risk management practices. Andrew highlighted several challenges facing the industry, including the risks associated with Red Sea transits, the impact of El Niño and La Niña weather events on the Panama Canal, and the potential for labor strikes that can surface in all parts of the world.

“Due to the ongoing dynamic nature of supply chains, we need to continue evaluating the integrity of supply chains for manufacturers to ensure their cargo reaches its destination,” he emphasized. Andrew’s work at ISC focuses on these global challenges, offering expertise that helps clients navigate these complex issues.

A Voice in the Industry

Andrew is widely recognized as a subject matter expert, frequently speaking at industry conferences and teaching surveying techniques to professional organizations. His engagements span prestigious forums such as the Tulane Maritime Law Association and King’s College in London, where he has shared insights on global trade and risk management. He has also taught classes in surveying techniques at professional associations, including The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS). Andrew has been interviewed on CNN, Bloomberg, and other news organizations.

Andrew and the marine team are working on various white papers, the first of which is an in-depth analysis of supply chain issues, particularly in light of recent global disruptions. The papers will be available on ISC’s website and will be part of our broader effort to educate and inform clients and industry peers on a continuing monthly basis.