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Description

In the transport of goods by sea, more and more relevant in the context of a global world, with high volumes of international trade, the shipping agent occupies a key position. These companies operate as independent intermediaries, acting in the name and on behalf of the ship owner, and execute all administrative steps involved in the transport of goods in the port. Whether delivery and loading or arrival and unloading of goods, shipping agents are responsible for all the administrative procedures associated with the goods. In addition, the same shipping agents may represent several shipping companies.

In this context, the shipping company line manager is the person directly responsible for ensuring a regular service between two or more ports. These regular services are those established by shipping companies to cover freight transport demand and are characterised by their fixed arrival and departure schedules into and out of each port , which allows consigners to schedule the loading of goods in all of the ports connected by this line in advance. Shipping companies and, in this case, line managers can thus carry out scheduling and business tasks related to the loading capacity of the ship, in advance.

Under the supervision of the regional office management, this person is in charge of executing the business and coordination tasks involved in the loading and unloading of freight in the port, and must liaise closely with ship owners or shipping service operators.

Tasks

  • Maintain good daily contact with the ship-owning company or operator and to follow its instructions and procedures (handbooks or operational protocols) regarding the management of the shipping route under his responsibility.
  • Keep all the information regarding the position of the ships included in the service being managed and that of any subsequent ships expected in this area, whether for loading or unloading.
  • Carry out a complete sale of the service represented, maintain the current customer base and search for new customers, contacting and visiting them to offer services.
  • Inform the shipowner and operator of the goods to be picked up for forthcoming stopovers according to preestablished terms.
  • Provide information to agents in other ports on important commercial and operational data which may prove useful with regard to the implementation of the service.
  • Keep the shipowner and operator fully informed of the conditions of the market, up-to-date prices, volumes, etc., as well as of the status of the competition and the port/country as a whole.
  • Look out for, and solve, any operational or commercial problems which may arise in relation to the business, until and beyond the time of loading/unloading.
  • Control and supervise all operational business documentation related to loading (bills of lading, manifestos, invoices to customers, authorisations and/or certificates, etc.).

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Centre per al desenvolupament professional Porta22

Barcelona Treball (Porta22)
Llacuna, 156-162, 08018 Barcelona
bcn.cat/treball

900533175
Monday to Friday from 9 to 18 h

Generalitat de Catalunya
Uniķ Europea FEDER
Uniķ Europea FSE