About Us
Building Better Maritime Operations Through People
For more than 25 years, IFS has partnered with offshore, merchant, and wind industries to deliver catering, hospitality, training, and operational support that enhances crew wellbeing, compliance, and operational excellence.
Who We Are
IFS is a leading and proudly independent maritime catering and hospitality company, serving offshore, merchant, and wind operations worldwide.
Being independent allows us to remain agile, objective, and fully focused on one thing: delivering the best possible service for our clients and their crew.
Our philosophy is built around Food. People. Impact. More than a slogan, it is the principle that guides every decision we make. From the meals we prepare and the hospitality we provide, to the way we train our people, support local communities, and build long-term partnerships, these values are put into practice every day.
For more than 26 years, IFS has combined catering, hospitality, training, compliance, and operational expertise to create safer, healthier, and more efficient onboard environments, helping clients improve performance while enhancing crew wellbeing.
Our management team consists of highly experienced professionals with a deep and thorough understanding of the industry. As such, IFS is the best maritime catering company with tailored solutions to meet our diverse clients needs.
IFS is headquartered in Belgium; however, we have established a strong presence in Poland, Singapore, the Philippines, Portugal and Africa, meaning wherever you need us, we’ve got you covered.
Purpose & Mission
Food. People. Impact.
More than our motto, Food. People. Impact. defines who we are and how we operate every day.
As a leading and proudly independent maritime catering, hospitality, and training company, our mission is to create healthier, safer, and more efficient onboard environments through high-quality catering, professional hospitality services, operational excellence, and continuous innovation.
We put our clients, crew, and communities at the heart of every decision, creating lasting value far beyond the galley.
Vision
To be the world’s leading and proudly independent maritime hospitality partner.
We strive to set the global benchmark for maritime catering, hospitality, training, and crew wellbeing by combining innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence to create long-term value for our clients and the communities we serve.
Values
Operational Excellence
Delivering safe, reliable, and efficient solutions through continuous improvement.
People First
Supporting our clients, crew, employees, and communities with respect, care, and professionalism.
Sustainability
Reducing environmental impact through responsible operations, healthier nutrition, waste reduction, and resource efficiency.
Integrity & Independence
Building trusted relationships through transparency, ethical business practices, and independent decision-making focused on our clients.
Innovation
Continuously improving maritime operations through training, digital solutions, and new technologies.
OUR MILESTONES
A journey built on innovation, continuous improvement, and a commitment to people.
1976
First trip as a Cook’s Mate
Michel Pradolini makes his first trip as a cook’s mate on board of the Dart Europe. He is promoted to executive chief of a passenger vessel and later to camp boss on an oil platform.
2000
IFS was founded
IFS was founded. From day one, Michel Pradolini has been building a catering concept that focuses on the cook and reduces waste and administration.
2005
Training Center established in the Philippines
The next logical step in IFS’ catering philosophy was to train its own cooks.
2011
Welcome to Singapore
IFS opens office in Singapore
2013
MLC Nomination
M. Pradolini is nominated by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) board of experts to adopt the guidelines on the training of ship cooks.
2020
Food Lab
In 2020 we moved the Belgian headquarters to Merksem and integrated a brand-new food lab. Every day we create and develop new, healthy and nutritious menus.
IFS opens office in Poland.
2026
Training & Hospitality Facility
In 2026 we opened the IFS Training & Hospitality Facility in the Philippines.
A state-of-the-art training facility dedicated to excellence in maritime catering and hospitality.
IFS opens office in Portugal.
Today
IFS is an Independent Leader for Maritime Catering and Hospitality
What drives us?
It is our passion for food, people and data.