Agent

1. A person or organization authorized to act for or on behalf of another person or organization.
2. In shipping, an agent is a corporate body with which YCS has an agreement to perform particular functions on behalf of YCS at an agreed payment. An agent is either a part of the YCS organization or an independent body.

The following functions and responsibilities may apply to the activities of an agent.
1. Sales - Marketing, acquisition of cargo, issuing quotations, concluding contracts in coordination with YCS. Basically the agent is the first point of entry into the organization for a shipper.
2. Bookings - Booking of cargo in accordance with allotments assigned to the agent for a certain voyage by YCS.
3. Documentation - Responsible for timeliness and correctness of all documentation required, regarding the carriage of cargo.
4. Handling - Taking care of all procedures connected with physical handling of cargo.
5. Equipment control - Managing of all equipment stock in a particular area.
6. Issuing - Authorized to sign and issue Bills of Lading and other transport documents.
7. Collecting - Authorized to collect freight and charges on behalf of YCS.
8. Delivery - The agent who releases the cargo and is responsible for its delivery to the consignee.
9. Handling of cargo claims - Handling of cargo claims as per agency contract.
10. Husbanding - Handling non cargo related operations of a vessel as instructed by the master, owner or charterer.

A person authorized to transact business for and in the name of another person or company. Types of agent are:
(1) brokers,
(2) commission merchants,
(3) resident buyers,
(4) sales agents,
5) manufacturer's representatives.