Latest News

International Car Operators (ICO) has recently been awarded ISO 9001, the internationally recognised standard for the quality management of businesses.   

While ICO already maintains its own standard operating procedure, as well as many operational guidelines specified by manufacturing and shipping customers, it applied for the ISO quality certificate in order to enhance its competitiveness. To attain the ISO 9001 award, ICO had to demonstrate that its internal processing system is sound and that it maintains a clearly structured customer-oriented approach.

ICO, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK, offers vessel and terminal handling services, vehicle processing, port agency, customs clearance and forwarding. The company is a leading stevedoring company for roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo in the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

Christophe Van Maele, Quality Safety & Security Manager, ICO, said: "As a maritime terminal operator, we consider international quality-control measures an indispensable part of our business. As such, the ISO 9001 certificate is an extremely welcome addition to our credentials."

He added: "To validate our reliability and our security credentials in the international supply chain, we have already attained both International Ship & Port Security (ISPS) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification. Furthermore, we have developed our own system for the management of food safety. This system, called the HACCP plan, identifies potential health hazards throughout all stages of food production and preparation. It has been approved by Belgian authorities."