Ship Agent

Local representative engaged by the shipowner or charterer to arrange port services for a vessel call: pilot booking, tug allocation, customs clearance, immigration, stores delivery, crew changes, bunker coordination, port-due payment, and statutory document handling. The agent issues a disbursement account (DA) listing the costs incurred. FONASBA Standard Liner & General Agency Agreements set out the contractual relationship, agency-fee structure, and indemnities. Agents in major ports are appointed by the owner directly; in smaller ports liner operators may use husbanding agents who report to the principal carrier.