Hiralal and Company was originally established in 1925 and is the oldest agency in the West Coast of India being in the field of steamer agency for over 8 decades.
The firm started handling iron ore vessels from Mormugao port as early as 1950 when the exports to Japan commenced and has decades old relationship with Japanese carriers such as Mitsui OSK Lines, KLINE, Sanko Steamship ,Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaishanand now Nippon Shinwa combine.
The firm earned fame by handling 17 expeditions to the Antartica consecutively for the Government of India’s scientific departments.
The firm is the agent in Goa for big carriers such as Oldendorff Carriers Germany, , Cosco, Great Eastern, Jaldhi overseas, Pacific Carriers Singapore,OBS Singapore,Great Eastern Shipping, TATA NYK,Essar Shipping to name a few.
The firm handled a record 700 ships in Goa region in the year 2011 which has been their normal volume of agency vessls and which amounted to 30 percent of vessels carrying Indian iron ore exports in that year.
The firm has been associated with clients such as JSW Steel Limited, Vedanta Limited, ,VM Salgaocar Group, and several other big Exporters and importers in the Industry.
The firm is the oldest correspondent of the Japan P and I Club as per their history books, and is also the correspondent for the London P and I, North of England P and I and has been correspondent for the U K P and I club
The firm has branches in New Mangalore, Karwar, Belekeri, Jaigarh , besides operating in Mormugao and Panaji ports in India.
The managing partner of the firm Dhirendra (Manu) Thakker is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, London besides being a graduate of Law from Bombay University. Mr Dhirendra Thakker is a past Trustee on the board of Trustees of Mormugao Port Trust and the past President of the Mormugao Ships Agents Association for several years.
The founder of the reconstituted firm and pioneer of Shipping Agency, the late Sunderlal Thakker was a Trustee for over a decade on the board of Trustees of Mormugao Port Trust.