Commercial activities in shipping business

There are some commercial activities in shipping business represented by agents and brokers as a form of agents employed to make contracts between two parties for a commission commonly called a brokerage.

Broker is a go-between, he can represent either the Owner or the Charterer. The broker's main task is to bring the two parties in order to conclude a fixture. He must know types and characteristics of cargoes, types of ships, their construction and machinery.The Shipbroker must also know the main shipowners and charterers, situation on the shipping market, in the trading and shipping companies.

The Owner’s Broker finds employment, i.e.[1] cargoes for his principal's ships. He tries to get the highest possible freight rate, the quickest loading and discharging, and terms favouring the Shipowner in the Charter Party.

The Charterer’s Broker (or chartering agent) helps the Company find a ship suitable to carry this particular type of cargo. Then the broker’s task is to get the cheapest freight rate and terms favouring the Charterer.

An insurance broker is an agent employed to arrange a contract of insurance between the underwriter and the owner. The broker has specific duties ensuring the owner is the owner and has the right to insure the vessel.

A person employed by a shipper to arrange the transport of his cargo is known as a forwarding agent. The forwarding agent is sometimes called a 'Shipping Agent', and authorized to find the required shipping space, to negotiate contracts of carriage with ship operators, to arrange delivery of cargo to the ship and to present the Bills of Lading. Many Forwarding Agents now undertake ancillary duties such as packing, warehousing, cartage, lighterage and arranging insurance. Forwarding Agents who arrange the whole carriage from end to end are popularly called 'Freight Forwarders'.

Most ship owners and operators appoint agents in the various ports of the world visited by their ships to represent them and to generally assist the master. The master will need assistance in carrying out several obligations such as customs formalities which need to be done promptly and correctly to ensure an efficient port visit. These persons are universally referred to as 'ships agents'. As well as clearing the ship through customs, they arrange pilots, tugs and berthing, order bunkers, settle accounts, arrange travel facilities for crew joining or leaving the ship and medical care, etc. The particular details of the function of the agency will depend upon the agency contract agreed with the owner operator, although much of the nature of their work is almost traditional.

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Дата добавления: 2015-09-04