Shipbroking is a financial service, which forms part of the global shipping industry. Shipbrokers are specialist intermediaries/negotiators (i.e. brokers) between shipowners and charterers who use ships to transport cargo, or between buyers and sellers of vessels.

Seatrade Group as a port agent, amongst other duties, undertakes the following key roles:

• Booking the vessel in and out of the port, and arranging the pilot and tug boat services
• Providing information on the crew and any passengers to the local immigration authorities
• Ensuring the ship’s documentation complies with international regulations prior to Customs inspection
• Preparing quarantine pre-arrival report (QPAR) which provides details on the crew, the ship’s previous route, and any deaths or illnesses which may have occurred during the voyage
• Advising Customs of the ship’s arrival and reporting the cargo on board Logistics involved with provisions and fuel
• Providing the stevedore’s ship planner with the manifest which gives detailed information on the cargo to be handled
• Liaising with stevedores and terminal operators regarding the safe handling of containers, break-bulk and bulk liquids, and ensuring that the ship’s master is aware of shore requirements
• Organizing crew changes, any associated immigration documentation, and arrangements such as booking flights
• Paying the crew
• Handling ship services including repairs and maintenance

In practice, however, the agent can act for any of the parties involved in the voyage and in any capacity as agreed between the agent and the principal.