FONASBA is currently surveying the wide range of activities undertaken by ship agents before, during and after a vessel’s port call. The aim of the project is to provide evidence of the range, scope and detail of the agent.  All too often the role of the agent is mis-understood and once complete, the survey will detail the complexity of the agent’s functions.

FONASBA general manager Jonathan Williams said:

“By codifying and presenting the many port procedures in one document, we hope to demonstrate to legislators and other authorities the wide variation in the number of procedures applicable and the lack of harmonisation in reporting timelines and information requirements.”

He added:

“We also want to provide our members’ shipowning and operating clients with a comprehensive overview the skills and professionalism needed to carry out ship agency work.”