Shipping agency companies, shipping agency companies and foreign shipping agency companies are all so-called "shipping agents". "Shipping agent" serves for shipping companies, which can be simply understood as "agent of shipping companies", while "freight forwarder" is "agent of cargo owners". "Shipping agent" and "freight forwarder" serve different objects.

The shipping agency industry is a service industry.

The shipping agency is in English, 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 for short).

According to the usual practice of the international shipping industry, the main business scope of "shipping agent" includes:

1. Ship inbound and outbound business

For example, handling customs and relevant port joint inspection procedures, dispatching tugs for pilotage, berthing at the port, inspection and maintenance, cleaning or cleaning the cabin, fumigation and disinfection, handling maritime rescue and maritime treatment, and ship handover procedures at the port.

2. Freight related business

Such as 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, collecting fees and paying fees on behalf of the shipping company, signing demurrage and dispatch agreements with the port party and calculating fees on behalf of the shipowner, chartering and booking space on behalf of the shipowner, and related work.

3. Supply business of marine materials and articles

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

4. Other service businesses

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

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

1. The shipping agent mainly serves for the shipping company, which 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, shipping agents can also contract goods and issue bills of lading. This part of business overlaps with freight forwarders. Therefore, when shipping agents contract goods, they have advantages over ordinary freight forwarders in terms of freight rates, shipping dates, signing documents, etc. After all, shipping agents can rely on the support of the shipping companies they represent, and get the month first when they are near the water!

3. The shipping agent feels tall, and the entry threshold is high; The freight forwarder felt that it was quite low and the entry threshold was very low.

4. The number of shipping agents is not too large (compared with freight forwarders); The number of freight forwarders is as large as a cow's hair.

5. Generally, shipping agents have less contact with each other. After all, shipping agents mainly deal with shipping companies and ports; Common people of freight forwarders have more contact with each other, because freight forwarders mainly deal with cargo owners and carriers.