charter agent or ship broker

Who is a charter agent or ship broker and what do they do? The task of a charter agent is to facilitate the contacts between cargo owners and ship owners with the aim of contracting and carrying out contracts to transport cargoes by water.
What are the activities of the charter agent or ship broker? Taking orders for cargoes and ships’ tonnage – contacting partners to arrange shipment – monitoring loading and unshipping the cargo – taking taxes or commission – carrying on business correspondence.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In offices and in the open air – in harbours, docks, or in towns and villages.
What tools/equipment do they use? Office equipment, communications technology – email, telephone etc., reference books, catalogues, rules and regulations, price – lists and other documents.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have completed upper secondary school with a school leaving exam or higher education in the field of marketing and economics. Ingenuity, flexibility, quick wits, enterprise, communication skills, ability to persuade and negotiate, a businesslike manner, a flair for commerce are all important personal characteristics.