Shipping Agency, Who are they?

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Shipping Agency

Shipping agency is the designated group of professional people (called shipping agents) who are responsible for handling shipments and cargo along ports and harbors. They also handle the general interests of their customers.

Shipping agency usually take care of all the regular routine tasks of a shipping company quickly, efficiently and effectively. Like NSMS - a shipping agency in the Philippines, agents make sure that supplier, crew transforms, customs documentation are all arranged with authorities without delays.

Tasks and Responsibilities of Shipping Agents

Tasks and responsibilities of shipping agents may be explicitly entered into a contract which has been finalized between himself and the owner. Their duties are very variable and mainly depend on the sort of service the agents have to render. Some duties will be the same for both services such as the duties with regard to the agency or dispatch of the vessel. Other may be to the liner trade such as ensuring there is enough cargo in the port of call.

The Port Agent – he is the representative of the owner in a certain harbor in the tramp trade. He is to:

• Look for a berth for an incoming ship
• Arrange for the pilot and tugs
• Make-up documents for the customs and harbor uses
• Assist the master in making the necessary contacts with the local and port authorities
• Arrange for the ship provisions
• Arrange for the bunkers
• Arrange for the repairs
• Convey instructions to and from the owner
• Organize the supply and handling of the goods
• Collect the freights
• Contact the shippers and receivers of the goods

The Liner Agent – he is the one appointed by the owner of a liner trade for those harbors in which the company does not have his own organization. He is to:

• Establish a sailing list which he will circulate widely 
• Announce departures in specialized journals
• Establish contacts with forwarders, factory agents, importers and exporters
• Arrange for a suitable berth
• Contact stevedores and corporations
• Assist the master and his crew
• Arrange pilots and tugs
• Arrange for the cleaning of the ship and the goods 
• Fulfill other customs and administrative formalities
• Deposit the note of protest
• Arrange for loading, discharging, provisioning and bunking of the ship
• Signing on and signing off of crew members
• Mediate in case of general average

Get Aboard

This is just a glimpse of what a shipping agency is about. They are not simple at they may seem. They do a lot about our shipments and I believe we should respect them. They’re really doing a tremendous job.