Online cargo platform Shipnext and The Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) have signed a partnership agreement that will require all ship brokers and agents listed as service providers in the Shipnext Ports module to be FONASBA-approved.
Founded in in 1969, London-based FONASBA is a representative body for international ship brokers and agents and promotes fair and equitable practices in their operations.
The organisation has consultative status with IMO, UNCTAD, UN/CEFACT, the World Customs Organisation and the European Commission, and has members in almost 70 countries, representing more than 5,000 individual companies.
As a result of the partnership, when new companies obtain FONASBA Quality Standard approval, Shipnext will update its platform to display the new agents in the relevant port or country. Shipnext will also add a Standardised Port Disbursement Account Request Form, developed in conjunction with FONASBA, to allow users to contact FONASBA agents.
“Our exclusivity agreement with FONASBA allows us to continue improving Shipnext, ensuring that only the highest quality agents are listed on our Port pages. The partnership also unlocks a customised shipping platform and communication space where FONASBA agents can gather and do business,” said Alexander Varvarenko, CEO of Shipnext.
