-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HVNPb+KyXXJMUl69XjpUSNb6txsKyYieb7/rgT5GcwRThoqu83pYgJeB/pl9LrE1
 1vhqyQ1pAaHIqz61F+nvqA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-023628.txt : 20090508
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-023628.hdr.sgml : 20090508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090508114822
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-023628
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090429
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090508
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090508

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Johnston Peter Matthew
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001463651

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10852
		FILM NUMBER:		09808645

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11 NORTH WATER STREET SUITE 18290
		CITY:			MOBILE
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			36602

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000278041
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DEEP SEA FOREIGN TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT [4412]
		IRS NUMBER:				362989662
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11 NORTH WATER STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE # 18290
		CITY:			MOBILE
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			36602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2512439100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 2004
		CITY:			MOBILE
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			36652
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd241919.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PMJ 4/49/09 FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-29</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000278041</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ISH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001463651</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Johnston Peter Matthew</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9456 CHAMBERLAIN PASS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAPHNE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>36526</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Peter M. Johnston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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