Alexander Sharpeigh is appointed captain of the company's Ascension, and general or commander of the fourth voyage.

Hereafter two ships, Ascension and Union (captained by Richard Rowles) sail from Woolwich on March 14, 1607–08.

Initially, the company struggles in the spice trade because of the competition from the already well-established Dutch East India Company.

The company opens a factory in Bantam on the first voyage, and imports of pepper from Java will be an important part of the company's trade for twenty years.

The factory in Bantam will be closed in 1683.

During this time ships belonging to the company arriving in India dock at Surat, which is established as a trade transit point in 1608.