Shipping agency, shipping agency, and foreign shipping agency are all so-called "shipping agencies". "Shipment agency" serves the shipping company, which can be simply understood as "shipping company's agent", while "freight forwarder" is the "cargo owner's agent".
Shipping agency is a service industry.
Shipping Agency in English is Shipping Agency, such as:
China Shipping Agency Co., Ltd.: China Marine Shipping Agency Co., Ltd
China Ocean Shipping Agency Co., Ltd.: China Ocean Shipping Agency
Shanghai United Int'l Ocean Shipping Agency Ltd: Shanghai United Int'l Ocean Shipping Agency Ltd
China Association of Shipping Agencies & Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers, referred to as CASA.
According to the usual practice of the international shipping industry, the main business scope of "shipping agency" includes:
1. Ship entry and exit business
Such as going through customs and related port joint inspection procedures, dispatching tugboats for pilotage, berthing at ports, inspection and maintenance, cleaning or cleaning of cabins, fumigation and disinfection, marine rescue, maritime handling, and ship handover procedures in port, etc.
2. Freight related business
Such as arranging the loading and unloading of containers or other goods, carrying out tally, transit handover, storage and transportation, assisting in claim settlement, issuing bills of lading, charging fees, and paying fees on behalf of the shipping company, signing demurrage and dispatch agreements with the port on behalf of the shipping company, and Calculation of costs, freight forwarder, charterer, booking space and related work, etc.
3. Supply business of marine materials and articles
For example, handling fuel supply for ships, providing fresh water, materials and food needed by ships and crew, as well as purchasing and sending marine spare parts and other materials for shipping companies.
4. Other service business
For example, handling entry and exit procedures for crew members, crew exchange, repatriation, medical treatment, tours, family visits, letter delivery, and other matters entrusted by the shipping company.
There is a big difference between "shipping agency" and "freight forwarding":
1. The shipping agency mainly serves the shipping company and is the bridge between the shipping company (carrier) and the port; the freight forwarder mainly serves the cargo owner and is the link between the cargo owner and the carrier.
2. In addition to the main business of shipping agency, the shipping agency can also undertake cargo and issue bills of lading. This part of the business overlaps with the freight forwarding. Therefore, when the shipping agency undertakes the cargo, it has the advantages of freight rate, shipping schedule and signing bills compared with ordinary freight forwarders. After all, the shipping agency can rely on the support of the shipping company it represents, and the platform near the water will get the first month!
3. The shipping agency feels relatively tall and the entry threshold is higher; the freight forwarder feels relatively low and the entry threshold is very low.
4. The number of shipping agents is not too large (compared to freight forwarders);
5. The shipping agency generally has less contact with the general public. After all, the shipping agency mainly deals with shipping companies and ports; the freight forwarder has more contact with ordinary people, because the freight forwarder mainly deals with the owner and the carrier.
