Broker
Also known as: broker, shipping broker, freight broker, chartering broker
An independent intermediary who brings together two or more parties to negotiate and arrange commercial transactions without taking ownership of the goods or services involved.
A broker acts as a facilitator between buyers and sellers, shippers and carriers, or shipowners and charterers to help conclude commercial agreements. In the shipping industry, brokers commonly arrange vessel charters, freight bookings, vessel sales and purchases, or cargo movements, providing market knowledge and negotiating terms on behalf of their clients. Brokers are typically compensated through a commission or brokerage fee when a transaction is successfully concluded, but they do not assume ownership or operational responsibility for the cargo or vessel.
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