Agribility - Port Agents
Introduction
Port agents have to make the whole port 'operation' work without any issues to all parties. By “operation”, it includes before, during and even after a port call of a vessel. Port agents are deemed “the key person/place” for “all parties”, including and not limited to the shipowners and the charterers, master of the vessel, the port and port authorities, the pilots/tugs, the customs and the stevedores, the surveyors and receivers and so on.
Therefore, having been placed at the centre of international shipping, the port agents are obviously required have the utmost experience, knowledge and skills to overcome any issues during the operation and should satisfy the parties with the best possible service.
The services expected from port agents, without a doubt, require problem solving skills with high level of communication, very often in time-sensitive and challenging circumstances.
This module will examine the role of the port agents in detail.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module the learner should be able to:
- Discuss the duties of port agents
- Explain who might appoint a port agent, analyse the scope of their authority and the relationship with the principal
- Comprehensively discuss how a disbursement account is used
- Explain why in the world of international shipping, port agency is such a crucial role