Course Details

1. Analyse the position of the Port Agent in the legal environment of shipping as regards: (a) The Port and other Local Authorities, (b) The different types of Principals
2. Outline the specific duties of the port agent towards the local authorities and his principal under different situations.
3. Explain the various risk factors that the port agent is exposed to while executing his duties and outline the possible covers thereto.

The legal definition of an Agent. Specific definitions and different scenarios for Shipping Agent. Special agent, General agent, Protecting agent. Who is the Principal in different situations and analysis of the possible conflict of interest. Payment risk for the agent and the duration of the agency relationship. The proforma Disbursement Account.

The local authorities around the port and the relationship with the agent. Port State Control.

Services the port provides the ship and the involvement of the agent. Who pays for what and the risk involved.

Specific Husbandry duties of an agent, to Ship owner and crew.

How the role of the agent changes when the Principal operates under different charterparties. The relationship with the cargo and how that differs under different charter parties.

Important documentation issues. The notice of readiness, the bill of lading. Delivery of cargo without the original bill of lading.  Limitation of carriers liability and the relationship with the agent.

Unusual situations and the agent: claims, arrests, surveys.

Important accounting aspects for the agent. The agent and professional liability insurance.

• M. Latarche, Port Agency, Witherby & Co. Ltd, 1998

• Martin Stopford, ‘Maritime Economics’, 3nd edition, Routledge, 2009
• P. Alderton, Port Management and Operations, 3rd Edition, Informa, 2008
• Meersman H. et al, Future Challenges for the Port and Shipping Sector, Informa, 2008
• Branch, A.E., Elements of Shipping, 7th Edition, Routledge 2001