What is a Shipping Agency?

In business operations, logistics plays a crucial role, especially in the distribution of goods. Without a reliable transportation and logistics system, the flow of products can encounter obstacles, leading to delays in distribution.

In the logistics landscape, goods can be delivered by land, sea, or air. For sea-based deliveries, this is commonly referred to as shipping.

Simply put, shipping is the activity of sending goods from one location to another in a safe, fast, and efficient way, primarily using ships or sea transport. To ensure smooth delivery, companies typically collaborate with a shipping agency.

It acts as a representative of the cargo owner or ship charterer, managing various shipping-related needs.

Due to the complexity of operations, shipowners often cannot handle all administrative and operational aspects themselves, which explains why the role of a shipping agency is vital.

Using the services of a shipping agency has many benefits, more importantly in saving time and costs. This enables various administrative processes, including licensing, to be completed more quickly and effectively.

3 Tips for Choosing Shipping Agency Service

Before deciding to use a shipping agency’s services, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you get the best service suited to your business needs.

Check the Types of Services Offered

Make sure you clearly understand the services provided by the shipping agency. Typically, it provides services for both international and domestic vessels. Select the service that best suits your logistics needs for enhanced shipping efficiency.

Consider the Costs and Service Time Estimate

Beyond competitive pricing, ensure the administration, permits, and document management are quick and efficient.

Those are crucial to avoid delays in loading and unloading goods. Also ensure that there are no additional fees outside the initial agreement to keep expenses under control.

Choose a Trusted Shipping Agency

The credibility and reputation of a shipping agency have a significant impact on the smooth delivery of goods. Ensure you select an experienced logistics company with positive reviews from previous clients.

You can also ask for recommendations from colleagues or business partners who have used similar services.

Why Choosing an Experienced Shipping Agency Matters

To avoid working with unprofessional service providers, conduct thorough research before selecting a shipping agency. Look into the company’s track record through customer reviews or references from trusted sources.

One logistics company you can consider a reliable partner as a shipping agency is SELOG, a business line of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA) and part of Astra Group.

With more than 20 years of experience in the logistics industry, SELOG provides end-to-end logistics services, including Trucking, Shipping, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing, and Project Cargo.

SELOG’s shipping services for domestic and international cargo come with several advantages, such as monthly shipments for scheduling vessels, 24-hour ship operation monitoring, and ship ramp door design and material structure that can support heavy cargo loads.

Additionally, SELOG’s services are supported by cutting-edge digital technology Astra Fleet Management Solution (AstraFMS), which makes customers’ business easier, more effective, and more efficient.

With its AstraFMS, SELOG provides businesses in Indonesia with IT-based comprehensive solutions for managing fleet operations.

For more information about SELOG’s services, visit www.selog.astra.co.id or contact (021) 26605333.

Follow SELOG on Instagram @selog_astra and LinkedIn SELOG for the latest updates and insights on logistics.