Agent and Supplier appointment

General Discussions
1

How Ship Owners/Managers decide which agents or suppliers to work with? Are there any certifications that they can get to show their quality?

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2

@chingiz here are the main points:

  • Reputation and experience
  • Competitive pricing
  • Quality of service
  • Certification and accreditation
  • Industry recommendations
  • Reliability and responsiveness

Ship owners/ managers typically consider several factors when deciding which agents or suppliers to work with. Some of these factors include the reputation and experience of the agent or supplier, competitive pricing, and the quality of service provided. Certifications and accreditation, such as ISO 9001, can also help demonstrate quality and professionalism. Additionally, industry recommendations and a track record of reliability and responsiveness can be crucial in building trust and confidence between the parties involved.

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3

Ship owners and managers can consider several factors when deciding which ship agents or ship suppliers to work with. Some of the key factors include:

  1. Reputation: A reliable and reputable agent or supplier is crucial for ensuring smooth operations. Ship owners and managers often rely on recommendations from industry peers, online reviews, and their own past experiences with agents or suppliers. In some cases, they may consult BIMCO and ISSA lists.
  2. Experience: Ship owners and managers prefer agents or suppliers with a proven track record in the industry. They look for agents or suppliers who have demonstrated their ability to handle various types of vessels and situations effectively.
  3. Range of services: An agent or supplier that offers a comprehensive range of services is often preferred, as it simplifies coordination and communication. Ship owners and managers may prioritize agents or suppliers that provide multiple services, such as port agency services, crew management, spare parts supply, and provisions supply.
  4. Local knowledge: Agents or suppliers with extensive local knowledge of the ports, customs, and regulations are valuable partners. They can help navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure that the vessel complies with all local requirements.
  5. Responsiveness and communication: Ship owners and managers value agents or suppliers that are responsive, communicate effectively, and are available 24/7 to address any issues or emergencies.
  6. Pricing: Competitive pricing is an important factor when selecting an agent or supplier. Ship owners and managers often solicit quotes from multiple agents or suppliers to compare costs and ensure they receive the best value for their money.
  7. Financial stability: Financial stability is an essential factor to consider, as it reduces the risk of disruptions or complications due to the agent’s or supplier’s inability to fulfill their obligations.

To determine the reliability of a ship agent or supplier, ship owners and managers can use a combination of these factors, along with conducting thorough background checks, reviewing financial statements, and verifying the agent’s or supplier’s membership in relevant industry associations or organizations.

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4

Depends on the size of the ship manager. Large ship manages usually work with reputable global ship agency companies that have representatives in many ports around the worldn. Some very large manager companies like A.P. Moller Maersk even operate their own agency subsidiaries.

Small to mid-sized ship managers rely a lot on personal connections, referrals and recommendations when looking for agency services, especially in challenging locations as agencies handle many important transactions/operations for the manager company and their trustworthyness is critical.

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5

When companies look for a trusted supplier, they first look at their past list of trusted suppliers. If they cannot find the supplier they want, they request the reliable supplier lists of other shipowners in the port and decide accordingly. If they can’t get results in this, they find a supplier from the directory and communicate.

6

Adding to the aforementioned responses,
For finding trusted suppliers, they can go to internationally renowned registries such as ISSA. (https://shipsupply.org/issa-register/) They can also search on MagicPort portal (https://magicport.ai), as quality, trust and reliability are of utmost importance when adding a supplier / agency to the MagicPort directory.

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