AGENTS IN MARITIME

TRANSPORT
Marina Zanne, M.Sc.
Marina.Zanne@fpp.uni-lj.si
Introduction
A ship agent is employed to represent the interests of
either the ships owner, the ships operator, or the cargos
owner (consignee) while the ship is in port.

captain cant perform all bureaucratic operations alone

the need for a specialized person, who is well familiar
to local habitudes, local, regional and national markets
needs and outputs and thus of cargo flows arising this
person has to be able to fit into this the shipping
companys interest faster and easier communication

Development:
counseling role shipping companys representative
Types of agents in maritime transport
port agent
liner agent
broker mediator, negotiator
shipping insurance agent

general agent
specialized agent
Port agent
usually in ports in which shipping company doesnt have
its own office
shipping companys representative working in shipping
companys name and for its account
agent does all the communication with ports entities
(private and public) in order to make ships stay in
port as short and as efficient as possible
agent organizes cargo acceptance and delivery, fills in
the documents, organizes cargo handling operations
etc.
Port agent
agreement allows the agent to make contracts between
shipping company and any third party
agent comes aboard together with national authorities
Customs crew/passenger list, cargo manifest
(arrival customs manifest is prepared by the agent),
stores manifest etc.,
Police passports control, shore pass issuer,
Maritime Administration office draft survey, ships
certificates, clearance from previous port, crew list
etc.
agent forwards arrival report to the shipping company
and to cargo senders freight forwarder
Port agent
His main obligations are:
to prepare ships documentation
to prepare cargo documentation
to inform port authorities on ships ETA
to order ports working facilities and man force (based
on cargo manifest and cargo stowage plans)
to inform cargo sender or recipients on ships arrival
to make sure that the freight rate and other costs are
covered
to forward preliminary cargo plan and loading list to
the captain
Port agent

Source: The role of the ship agent from http://www.fonasba.com

Port agent
after cargo handling operations are completed, the agent
prepares the Port log in which it is clearly visible what
operations have been performed
Departure custom manifest is prepared upon cargo
manifests
Harbour clearance is given to the agent when ships
seaworthiness is proven (cargo is secured and the ship
is ready for navigation) agents orders the pilots and
tug boats, and informs all the authorites on ships
departure together they again visit the ship when
agent delivers Departure custom manifest, cargo
manifests, mail, harbour clearance etc. to the captain)
Liner agent
port agent can be also a liner agent serving liner ships in
their ordinary ports in such case he has more
responsibilities
market research (ports capacities, hinterland activity,
inland connections, cargo flows etc. to make sure that
touching the particular port is reasonable, plus he has
to analyse the competion)
his operationals tasks remain the same as of port
agent, that is: serving the needs of the ship on
arrival/departure, being in cnact with cargo
senders/recepients, filling in the documentation, cargo
acceptance/delivery etc.
Liner agent
Shippers note; loading dispostion with cargo description and
other info (sender, loading and unloading port, payment
conditions etc

Shipping order; order addressed to

the captain with instructions for cargo
loading

Mates receipt; this is a receipt proving that

cargo has been loaded aboard. It is issued by
the captain and addressed to the sender.

Cargo is handed over to the

recipient that has presented Agent creates Bill of lading
original B/L, has paid the freight (B/L) which is signed by the
rate and has fulfilled any other captain or by the agent on
given condition. captains order
Broker
His main role is to connect two parties.
mediator in contracts on exploitation of ships
mediator in sale ships process (deed of sale)
mediator in ships construction/maintenance agreements

FONASBA - The federation of national association of

shipbrokers an agents
Shipping insurance agent
is an employee of insurance company insuring ships,
cargo and personnel
Sources & further reading
The role of the ship agent from http://www.fonasba.com