About us

Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. was established in 1941 to serve the urgent needs of Portland, Maine's wartime waterfront, then a major cargo port, naval base and ship building center. Today, Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. is proud to be a continuing part of Portland's maritime heritage offering ship owners a comprehensive single source service for their cargo vessels, oil tankers and barge/tug fleets.

In addition to the Port of Portland, we also regularly deliver to all ports in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Deliveries to vessels are made either by our launch, Thor II, a 36.2 ft freight boat, our 24' Carolina Skiff or our fleet of vehicles, which include two flat beds, two box trucks, a cargo van and an 18 Ton crane truck as per individual dock requirements.

Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. operates from offices and storage facilities on Union Wharf in Portland, ME. Our facilities include an on-site cooler and freezer to keep orders at a constant temperature until the time of delivery. We are able to store your direct shipments in our heated, safe and secure warehouses. Our full time staff is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to serve our customers needs. As a full service ship chandler, we are personally committed to meeting and/or exceeding our customer's requirements. Our knowledgeable staff has many years of experience in the ship supply and marine related industries. We pride ourselves in our ability to fulfill quotes and orders in a timely and a professional manner. We are dedicated to delivering product on-time at the most competitive cost possible.

We maintain a diversified warehouse of international specialty food products as well as many of your deck, cabin and engine supply needs. Items not in stock are quickly obtained from a multitude of outside vendors. We choose our vendors carefully for the quality and efficiency that best compliments our customer's satisfaction. Our goal is to satisfy your vessels every need, including personal items for your crew.

Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. has been named as the Port of Portland's approved handler of regulated and non-regulated garbage. Our staff receives continual training on the proper procedures and responsibilities of handling, international waste.

Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. has enjoyed a 20+ year relationship with Wilhelmsen Ships Service, formerly Unitor Ships Service as a delivery agent supplying vessels from Maine to Connecticut. As the appointed Wilhelmsen delivery representative for Northern New England, we are your link to receiving accurate and prompt deliveries of your chemical, gas and welding supplies. Orders are always delivered by our licensed Hazardous Material handlers and drivers in a safe and secure manner.

We, at Brown Ship Chandlery, Inc. are proud members of NAMS and ISSA and pride ourselves on our mature and professional working relationship with all the local ship agents, as well as all shore side personnel.

Our office staff uses MAS90 software for a computerized order entry, billing and inventory system. We utilize Smart Supplier/Ship Serv, and Real Marine and we are always open to acquiring any new systems necessary in order to better serve our customers.

We serve ports throughout New England

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year;
Proud members NAMS and ISSA
Wilhelmsen delivery representative for Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island;
Diversified warehouse of international specialty food products