Who is vessel agent?

Who is Vessel Agent?

A vessel agent (or ship's agent) is a local expert who acts as a representative of ship owners, managers, or charterers and carries out all the necessary duties and obligations required by the vessel's owner or crew. Ship owners or managers or carters are not able to present in ship wherever it goes hence the the vessel agent comes in. The agent makes sure in-port arrangements are made and completed efficiently and effectively. It's the ship's agents' job to ensure that the vessel completes her operations promptly and that no delays are incurred. Responsibilities of vessel agent includes taking care of the crew by bringing them essential supplies such as food and water, exchanging local currency, bringing mail, and escorting maintenance specialists on board if needed. Shipping agents make sure crew transfers happen seamlessly and ensure customs documentation and waste declarations are arranged with port authorities. They also provide the owner or charterer with real-time updates and reports for the port call or cargo operation.

Vessel agent requires to be fully conversant with all the appropriate regulations and requirements relating to the port, area or sector in which they operate, to have a wide range of relevant contacts and be sufficiently well established and founded to be able to provide the level of service and support the principal needs. The ship agent, as enshrined by international maritime convention, is primarily the servant of the master and owners of the vessel, the “principal”.

THE AGENCY FEE

The agent will charge the principal a fee based on the volume of work undertaken. The fee is agreed through negotiation between the agent and the principal and is often subject to competition from other agents. The precise form of the fee, for example a flat fee or one based on the duties undertaken, can vary widely. The flat fee is common in port agency whilst the component based fee is more normal for cargo agencies.

Port Agency Services

Booking vessel in and out of the port, and arranging the pilot and tugboat services

Submitting information on crew and any passengers to the local immigration authorities

Completion of all relevant vessel clearance documentation

Advising Customs of the ship’s arrival and reporting the cargo on board

Supervision of loading and discharging of cargo and the safe handling of containers, break-bulk and bulk liquids

Ship’s husbandry

Crew changes and repatriation, immigration documentation and onward travel arrangements

Handling ship services including fuel, repairs and maintenance

Sourcing of supplies and spare parts

what is Stevedoring?

Stevedoring is the process of loading and unloading of ships on the quayside and stowing cargo in the hold. For containers, It also includes the other various dockside functions. Stevedores need to arrange the stowage of cargoes on the quayside so that the one on the bottom of the stack is not scheduled to be loaded before the one on top of it. Likewise, onboard the ship the order of stowage is just as important, partly for stability, but also for quick discharge at the end destination.

A person or company engaged in such act is known as a stevedore. Stevedore’s job involves more than mere laboring. It is skilled work that requires operation of loading equipment, proper packing and unpacking techniques for cargo, and the correct handling of hazardous materials. Linesman, crane or forklift drivers and tally clerks would all come under the broad umbrella of stevedores.

Responsibilities of Stevedore

There are traditional jobs of Stevedore but in addition there are numerous duties. The foremost responsibility is about the safety of cargo, crew and their own. The stevedores unload cargo from ships when they come into port and load until the cargo work completed. These workers used large cranes and forklifts and other cargo gears to move huge cargo containers filled with goods and heavy packages.

The stevedore must see the Captain and Chief officer (Cargo officer) as soon as the vessel comes into port and they board. The stevedore helps berthing of the vessel in a convenient position for cargo operations and assembles a stevedoring crew for loading/unloading cargo. Every port employs a stevedore who must be available twenty four hours a day, since ships enter and leave day and night on irregular schedules (any time of day or night).

The job of stevedore is also inspecting the merchandise for any damage that might have occurred at sea or pre-loading. He examines containers and records any damage to containers and possibly to cargo. The stevedore upon berthing the vessel immediately commences the safe loading /unloading of containers or cargo from/to the ship’s holds. The dockworkers commonly use handheld radios to coordinate the operation of cranes and other heavy equipment. Cargo is transferred from the ship to trains or trucks for transportation to warehouses or stores.

When ships prepare to leave port, the stevedore inspects cargo to ensure proper stowage and lashing of all cargo. Damage to cargo might take place if a large load of goods is shifted during bad weather; therefore, it is essential to secure the cargo for safe transportation.

There are no specific educational requirements for someone who wants to become a stevedore. Companies that hire stevedores, also known as dockers and longshoremen, typically require that they are physically able to lift heavy items. In addition, in order to become a stevedore, you will likely need a valid driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age. Some companies also require that longshoremen have experience driving commercial trucks and vehicles or operating lifting equipment. You can become a stevedore by applying for jobs for stevedores online or in person.

 Stevedoring charges therefore are the charges incurred for discharging/unloading of goods from a ship hold to a quay/ berth/wharf/pier or loading of goods to a ship hold from a quay/ berth/wharf/pier including shifting of cargo onboard a ship without landing on quay, re-stow (landing the shifted cargo on a quay and re-shipping it back to the ship), opening and closing of Hatch covers or Pontoons, upon request.

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