Helmsman Imports and Ankaa Global Logistics announce partnership
The two firms are combining their wine and beverage import expertise with global freight and supply-chain capabilities.
Helmsman Imports and Ankaa Global Logistics have announced a new partnership that brings together specialised wine and beverage import services with international freight forwarding. The collaboration is intended to give beverage producers and distributors a single, more streamlined route from overseas producers to retail and on-trade customers.
A shared focus on the drinks trade
Helmsman Imports has built its reputation on handling wine and other premium beverages, managing sourcing, compliance, and market entry for brands that need a foothold in new regions. Ankaa Global Logistics contributes capabilities in ocean freight, air cargo, customs brokerage, and end-to-end supply-chain management, with a network that reaches multiple trade lanes.
By working together, the two companies say they can shorten lead times, simplify documentation, and give clients a clearer view of inventory as it moves from cellar to shelf.
What the partnership covers
The joint offering centres on a few practical service areas for importers, distributors, and brand owners:
- Co-ordinated ocean and air freight from major producing regions
- Customs clearance and bonded warehousing support
- Specialised handling for temperature-sensitive and premium products
- Visibility tools that track shipments from origin through final delivery
The companies frame the move as a response to growing demand for integrated logistics partners rather than separate freight, customs, and import specialists. Similar consolidation is reshaping other parts of the supply chain, including third-party logistics providers expanding their recognised capabilities, specialised 3PLs moving beyond pallet-level services, and broader service portfolios being developed across key trading corridors.
Implications for beverage clients
For wineries and drinks brands, the partnership removes the need to brief multiple vendors at each stage of the journey. A single point of contact can now coordinate the freight booking, the import paperwork, and the final-mile distribution. Both companies indicate they will continue to operate under their existing brands while sharing infrastructure and commercial teams where it benefits clients.