Mark Pattison and Andy Thorne started working together at Quadrant Shipping (a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Maritime) representing CCNI in 1992. Previous to this they both worked within the CP Group; Mark in Operations and Andy in Sales.

In 1993 CCNI decided to move their agency from Quadrant to Johnson Stevens and Mark & Andy both went with them.

In February 1994 Ecuadorian Line were commencing a new European/West Coast South American Service, and Andy & Mark saw an opportunity; they made contact to ask whether or not they could represent this new service. After several weeks of negotiations, an agreement was reached - and so Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd was formed.

The first office was opened on 30th April 1994 (also Andy's 30th birthday) at Containerways Barking, and Ray Martin (our accountant) became our first "employee" although Ray is self-employed. Gary Aspinall joined us in July 1994.

In November 1994 we moved our Office to Epping and stayed there until November 1997 when we decided to purchase our own Office in Basildon. In April 2002 we purchased the adjoining building which has given space to futher improve our services offered.

Kestrel Liner Agencies - Americas

In early 2003 we opened our sister company Kestrel Liner Agencies LLC in Miami, Florida USA, enabling us to augment our already excellent Caribbean and Latin American services. The office is managed by Steve Keats, who joined us after a 19 year career with Tropical Shipping.

Kestrel Liner Agencies LLC is a licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) and NVOCC and is uniquely positioned to handle all aspects of your shipment. Kestrel Liner Agencies LLC's core business is the management of less than container load (LCL), and full container load (FCL) cargo between all worldwide origins into the Caribbean, and Latin America. We also offers import services from around the world into the Southeastern United States.

Through alliances with Tropical Shipping and as LCL agents for Great White Fleet we are able to provide you with the best destination connections for all your cargo needs.
Kestrel currently employs over 30 people in the UK and USA and has recently upgraded all its operational hardware and software to improve communications and documentation.