Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and "Risk
Factors" and to the use of our report dated January 29, 2004, in Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-120161) and
related Prospectus of International Shipholding Corporation for the registration
of 880,000 shares of Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock.


                                             /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


New Orleans, Louisiana
December 2, 2004