Our History

Johnson Stevens Limited was ‘born’ on 4th July 1976.
The Company was founded by Derek W. Johnson along with Tom-Bax Stevens, a former colleague, now retired.

This was at a time when containerisation was really taking the shipping world by storm and with more and more ship owners switching from conventional vessels to modern container ships, the time was right for the establishment of a fully comprehensive and independent Liner Agency to service these owners.

To do this and to be able to maintain the level of service, required careful planning. Staff recruitment was and still is the key to our success and over the years we have always placed customer service at the top of our priority list – good customer service can only be achieved by dedicated and experienced staff – both of which we have at JSA !

The company experienced rapid growth from this time onwards and during the last three decades and more , we have been involved in most major trade routes throughout the globe and have represented many well known and respected shipping lines.

Although many have since formed their own organisations throughout the world, we have established friendships that will last for a very long time and that is why JSA  are still the UK’s leading Liner Agent.

In 2004, the Chairman and Founder, Derek W. Johnson, received the honour of an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen, in recognition of his services to the Shipping community.

The following news was announced in an Industry Press Release on 18th May 2011.

One of the most entrepreneurial names in the shipping industry has agreed to buy certain of  the assets of the Felixstowe-based Johnson Stevens Agencies from the Administrators, PKF.

Andrew Thorne, who owns several shipping companies in the UK and overseas, will take on certain of the shipping lines which were previously represented by the Johnson Stevens business with immediate effect, under the name JSA Global Ltd.

The Felixstowe-based business Johnson Stevens was forced to appoint an administrator after the company became subject to a European trade embargo through their representation of IRISL – the state-run Iranian shipping line.  Prior to this troubled period for the business, Johnson Stevens had a rich and successful history and was the leading liner agent in UK.

Andy Thorne, already owns a number of successful shipping companies in the UK and overseas and he said:  “This purchase makes our business the UK’s largest liner agency with a group turnover in the region of £50 million and employing over 150 people.  This acquisition of Johnson Stevens assets and the lines it represents is good news for our company, the staff of Johnson Stevens and for all our principals.”

Kestrel Liner Agencies is a recipient of the Queen’s Award for International Trade; it was runner up in last year’s National Business Awards and operates from offices in London, Manchester (recently opened), the Humber, Aberdeen and now Felixstowe as well as a host of offices overseas.

This new addition to the Kestrel portfolio is a direct result of the entrepreneurial spirit of its owner Andy Thorne and is a strong reflection of his success in running profitable businesses within the international shipping market.

“I will be approaching the future of JSA with my usual energy and enthusiasm and we will ensure we continue to deliver an industry excellence in service and delivery which is a trademark of our shipping operations, “Mr Thorne added.