three pillars


Our catering concept is based on three pillars that are intertwined and with a high focus on safety, hygiene and environment.

data & waste management

Our unique food monitoring system registers consumption and calculates nutritional values. This way we reduce waste and inefficiencies, which results in reduced costs.

train & support cook

IFS provides the necessary training and tools to turn the galley staff into a dedicated team that cooks with loads of passion and know-how.

Offshore ship

catering audit

Our IFS audit tool monitors whether (food) safety and hygiene legislation and regulatory requirements have been met on board of the vessel.

our benefits


human approach

IFS is a transparent and no-nonsense business that has the best interests of others at heart. This explains our hands-on and client-oriented approach. In everything we do, we put people first. We take wellbeing on board to a higher level. Where possible, IFS offers opportunities to people who find themselves in precarious situations. 

high transparency and data driven

IFS provides data on consumption through a food monitoring system. We report very precisely on stock and consumption with a transparent budget control. Budget reports show our clients the supplier invoices, and we are very honest about how we earn our money. There are no hidden costs. At IFS, we pride ourselves on being a marine catering company that embodies transparency and an open business model. We believe that all stakeholders should have easy access to critical information. We have designed our systems to be intuitive, so you can easily navigate and access all the information you need. IFS believes in open communication and fostering strong relationships with all our clients and partners. Our team is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and we are dedicated to providing you with the highest levels of service and support.

healthy and good food

IFS Increases the well-being of your crew by providing healthy and tasty food. An IFS specialist vets and monitors our suppliers to ensure consistently high standards, compliance with food safety regulations, and competitive prices. In our Maritime Food Lab, we develop and create new dishes and experiment with new techniques and trends. At IFS, food safety is non-negotiable. We are cognizant of the importance of nutritional requirements and food safety. In light of this, we have a dedicated team to run thorough audits regularly. Our audit tool monitors whether safety and hygiene legislation and regulatory requirements are adhered to onboard the vessel. 

independent caterer

IFS is independent of ship suppliers and ship owners. As a privately-owned company, we can afford to go the extra mile for our customers. We use the best suppliers in each port for each ship’s specific provisioning needs. This way, we always get the best quality for the best price. We have a global network of carefully selected and fully vetted suppliers from whom we source ship provisions, fresh as well as dry ingredients, at the most competitive prices. We procure provisions based on the client’s budget and route.IFS is independent of ship suppliers and ship owners. As a privately owned company, we can afford to go the extra mile for our customers, devoid of external influence. We use the best suppliers in each port for each ship’s specific provisioning needs. This way, we always get the best quality for the best price.

trainingand tools

We offer specialized training programs for galley staff at our IFS Training Centre in the Philippines and the Food Maritime Lab in Antwerp, Belgium. Our training meets the highest intercultural cooking standards (Maritime Labour Convention-qualified) and prepares cooks for cooking in difficult and unforeseen situations such as pandemics and rough weather. To become a ship’s cook, one needs to attain some level of training and qualification that is compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention (2006). A ship cook certificate is a mandatory requirement for all cooks on commercially registered marine vessels. This ensures that all our professionals are well-equipped to perform their magic in the culinary arts. Our menus are flexible and highly customizable, depending on the demands of the crew members. This includes religious and cultural demands, health demands, allergies and food intolerances, nationality mix, and lifestyle choices.

reduce wasteand costs

Thanks to our unique food monitoring system we can register consumption up to the gram and predict orders based on our data. This allows us to reduce waste and manage the stock in a profitable way.

I have spent the last four weeks working onboard.

 

During that time, the food we have received has been the best I have experienced in my 15 years of working offshore. The care of the IFS stewards, and particularly the camp boss in providing high-quality, food has been very impressive. The organization of meals and continual efforts to improve menus, taking onboard feedback from the crew, and providing varied dishes is something that is a level above anything I’ve seen or expected working offshore.

 

Working offshore in difficult conditions, the food is one aspect of life that is very much appreciated, and the level of service provided in this case has helped make the trip a very pleasurable experience for me.

This is the first time I have been inclined to provide feedback for a catering service offshore, but in this case, it was something I felt was well deserved.

 

Thank you, IFS for the service.

Project Engineer on board an IFS-catered vessel

>100 countries 84.000 meals >800 ships 700 ports