Shipping agency companies, shipping agency companies, and foreign shipping agency companies are all referred to as "shipping agents". 'Shipping agent' serves shipping companies and can be simply understood as' the agent of the shipping company ', while' freight forwarder 'is the agent of the cargo owner.' Shipping agent 'and' freight forwarder 'serve different objects.

 The shipping agency industry is a service-oriented industry. 

The English name for a shipping agent is Shipping Agency, such as: 

China Marine Shipping Agency Co., Ltd 

China Ocean Shipping Agency: China Ocean Shipping Agency 

Shanghai United Int'l Ocean Shipping Agency Ltd 

China Association of Shipping Agents and Non Vessel Operating Carriers: China Association of Shipping Agencies & Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers， Abbreviated as CASA. 

According to the common practice of the international shipping industry, the main business scope of "shipping agents" includes: 

1. Ship inbound and outbound business 

Such as handling customs and related port joint inspection procedures, dispatching tugboats for pilotage, berthing at ports, inspecting and repairing, cleaning or washing cabins, fumigation and disinfection, handling maritime rescue and handling, and handover procedures for ships in ports. 

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, collecting fees, and paying fees on behalf of shipping companies, signing demurrage and dispatch agreements with port parties and calculating fees, chartering and booking cargo on behalf of cargo owners, and related work. 

3. Supply business of marine materials and items 

Such as 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-oriented businesses 

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

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

1. Shipping agents mainly serve shipping companies and act as a bridge between shipping companies (carriers) and ports; Freight forwarders mainly serve shippers and are the link between shippers and carriers. 

2. In addition to mainly engaging in ship agency related business, shipping agents can also undertake goods and issue bills of lading. This part of the business overlaps with freight forwarders, so when shipping agents undertake goods, they have advantages in terms of freight rates, shipping schedules, and bill of lading compared to ordinary freight forwarders. After all, shipping agents can rely on the support of the shipping companies they represent, and have the advantage of being close to the water and having a better time! 

3. The shipping agent feels quite high-end and has a high entry barrier; The freight forwarder feels relatively low, with a very low entry barrier. 

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

5. Most people have less contact with shipping agents, as they mainly deal with shipping companies and ports; Ordinary people have more contact with freight forwarders because they mainly deal with shippers and carriers.