Ted Blenkers

What is a ship consignee and what are your responsibilities?

Today, maritime transport is essential for the internationalization of all transport services. It is one of the most used transport for its safety, load capacity and economy.
In port operations there are different agents in maritime trade, one of them, is key to the whole strategy of the logistics chain. Do you know who the ship consignee is and what is his figure for? Read on this article and we will explain it in detail.

Ship consignee: its origin

The origin of the maritime agent is very old. When a merchant assembled a ship to transport goods and trade with them, the figure of the maritime agent began to be created.
Previously, it was the ship captain who was responsible for all administrative and commercial actions in the ports of origin or destination, generating delays and logistical problems in the ports.

Thus, with the figure of this new agent, they tried to solve the problems that could arise in the logistic processes of loading, unloading, supplies, crew changes, and administrative procedures before the customs authorities.
This maritime agent of yesteryear, today has been specializing in different types of agents. In this way, it is how the ship consignee emerges, who becomes the representative of the shipowner in the port.

What is a ship consignee?

A ship is like a big city that floats in the sea. The ship consignee will be the first to provide all the services that these floating cities will need.
In a more exact definition, the consignees are all those natural or legal persons who are authorized to perform on their behalf, acts that affect their duties and rights in relation to third parties. But can you distinguish the figure of the ship consignee?

How do we distinguish the figure of this consignee?
* It is the link between the captain of the ship, shipping company or owner with all land services.
* Within the framework of maritime transport and its sector, the meaning of consignee in foreign trade is that of a commission agent, agent or representative of the interests of the carrier.

How do you appoint a consignee?

If the consignee is a general agent, his appointment will be by contract. This appointment to act on a specific ship and port is made effective with the notice of the arrival of the ship at the port.