Shipping agency companies, shipping agent companies and ocean shipping agency companies are all so-called "shipping agents". The term "shipping agent" serves the shipping company and can be simply understood as "the agent of the shipping company", while "freight forwarder" is the agent of the cargo owner. The objects served by "shipping agent" and "freight forwarder" are different.

Shipping agent is a service industry.

The English of shipping agent is Shipping Agency, such as:

China Marine Shipping Agency Co., Ltd

China Ocean Shipping Agency

Shanghai United Int'l Ocean Shipping Agency Ltd

China Association of Shipping Agencies&Non Vessel Operating Common Carriers (CASA).

According to customary practices in the international shipping industry, the main business scope of "shipping agents" includes:

1. Ship entry and departure business

For example, handling customs and related port joint inspection procedures, dispatching tugboats for pilotage, berthing at the port, inspection and maintenance, cleaning or cleaning of ship cabins, fumigation and disinfection, handling maritime rescue, maritime handling, and handover procedures of ships at the port.

2. Freight related business

For example, arranging the loading and unloading of containers or other goods, tallying, transit handover, storage and transportation, assisting in claims settlement, issuing bills of lading on behalf of the shipping company, calculating and paying fees on behalf of the shipping company, signing demurrage and dispatch agreements with the port party, calculating fees, chartering and booking space for the freight forwarder, and related work.

3. Marine materials and supplies supply business

For example, handling fuel supply for ships, providing fresh water, materials and food required by ships and crew, as well as purchasing and sending ship spare parts and other materials for shipping companies.

4. Other service businesses

For example, handling entry and exit procedures for crew members, crew member exchange, repatriation, medical treatment, tourism visits, family visits, letter transmission, and other matters entrusted by the shipping company.

There is a significant difference between "shipping agent" and "freight agent":

1. The shipping agent mainly serves the shipping company and serves as a bridge between the shipping company (carrier) and the port; The freight forwarder mainly serves the cargo owner and serves as the link between the cargo owner and the carrier.

2. In addition to the shipping agent related business, the shipping agent can also contract goods and issue bills of lading. This part of business overlaps with the freight agent, so when the shipping agent contracts goods, it has advantages over the ordinary freight agent in terms of freight rate, shipping date, signing documents, etc. After all, the shipping agent can rely on the support of the shipping company it acts as an agent, and get the first month near the water!

3. The shipping agent feels quite tall and has a high entry threshold; The freight forwarder feels quite low and the entry threshold is very low.

4. There are not many shipping agents (compared to freight forwarders); There are countless freight forwarders.

5. Shipping agents generally have relatively little contact with people, as they mainly deal with shipping companies and ports; Freight forwarders have more contact with ordinary people because they mainly deal with cargo owners and carriers.