About us
CSSI also provides customs brokerage and chassis-leasing services in support of its cargo operations.
Over the decades, the company has represented international shipping principals including Marchessini Lines, Sea-Land Service, Zim Container Lines, Ben Line, and Hyundai Merchant Marine (now HMM), building long-standing experience across global trade routes and Philippine port operations.
Today, the business continues to grow through long-term client relationships, referrals, and specialized handling of conventional cargo, reefer shipments, and US–Philippines trade.
Company Overview
Citadel Shipping Services Inc. (CSSI) is a Manila-based shipping house with more than six decades of experience in freight forwarding, ship agency, and crew manning.
Today, the company operates across three core business lines:
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Freight Forwarding international and domestic cargo by sea and air
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Ship Husbanding vessel attendance and port agency services
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Crew Manning deployment of Filipino seafarers to international principals
Our Journey
1961
Citadel Shipping Services is founded in Manila by Francisco and Carmencita Delgado, beginning a long relationship with Greek principal Marchessini Lines and establishing the company’s roots in international shipping.
1967
Citadel enters the manning business with Filipino crew aboard the Greek tanker M/T Cassandra, beginning a crewing operation that has continued uninterrupted for nearly six decades.
1970s
As Philippine agent for Sea-Land Service, the company builds deep experience in the US–Philippines trans-Pacific trade during the rise of containerization.
1980s
Citadel expands its liner representation portfolio with principals including Ben Line and Zim Container Lines while growing its domestic trucking, chassis, and manning operations.
1990-2014
The company serves as Philippine general sales agent for Hyundai Merchant Marine (now HMM), one of the longest liner representation relationships in the country.
2020s
Citadel scales its freight-forwarding business in break-bulk cargo, reefer shipments, US–Philippines trade, and Filipino food exports, while continuing husbanding and manning work for long-standing international principals.
Founder
Francisco Delgado
1916–2016
Citadel Shipping Services was founded in 1961 by Francisco Delgado, a Filipino shipping entrepreneur whose career in transportation and maritime operations began in the years following the Second World War.
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Before founding Citadel, he built businesses in inter-island shipping, port operations, and transportation, helping establish early Filipino participation in sectors then dominated by foreign operators.
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Under his leadership, Citadel developed long-standing relationships with international principals including Marchessini Lines, Sea-Land Service, Zim Container Lines, Ben Line, and Hyundai Merchant Marine. In 1967, the company entered the manning business — an operation that continues today.
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Francisco Delgado remained active in the company well into his nineties and served as Chairman until his passing in 2016 at the age of one hundred.
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His emphasis on competence, integrity, and long-term relationships continues to shape the company today.
MEET OUR TEAM
Beatriz D. Padilla
General Manager
Marianne E. Isales
Operations Manager
Mary Jane Mirano - Aala
Finance Manager
Rebecca Tindog
Business Development Manager
Macel Pomarca
Business Development Executive
Anna Ruth Urbien
Group Controller