The Role of a Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders are organisations that serve to arrange shipments for individuals and companies and may also be the carrier themselves. Often times, they are the link between individuals or organisations who need to ship goods and the carriers, assisting along the way to ensure that no logistical hiccups occur. In addition, they usually provide extra services in the form of advising on packing, completing the necessary paper, providing insurance coverage and may or may not include custom clearing services.
The Role of a Shipping Agent
A shipping agent is an individual or organisation that is deemed responsible for the handling and transportation of cargo with the general interest of its customers in mind. They oversee tasks ranging from crew transfers on the ship, custom clearance and waste declaration to the despatching of vessels.
Differences between Freight Forwarder and Shipping Agent
In essence, all freight forwarders are shipping agents as they provide ancillary services that complement the transportation of cargo from one point to another. However, not all shipping agents are freight forwarders as freight forwarders are able to oversee the transportation process from door-to-door. In addition, freight forwarders are usually larger organisations with a greater access to resources compared to an ordinary shipping agent.