What a shipping company does
Port activities
The company needs to appoint agents to look after its interests in overseas ports.
The company or its agent will often send out their representatives
to persuade shippers to send their goods with that company rather
than with a rival. They may decide to invest in facilities to
encourage trade. For instance, companies running to developing
countries often invested in plantations, farms and other
enterprises to encourage trade. The company will ensure its ships are loaded or unloaded as
quickly and efficiently as possible whenever they come into port.
To do this, some built their own facilities such as warehouses or
transit sheds. 
 Unloading oranges from `Hardwicke Grange` |
The company`s managers watch trading patterns very carefully to
ensure they are getting the maximum share of available cargoes, and
operating on the best routes. The company will also ensure its ships are maintained well and
regularly surveyed, as required by governments and classification
societies. Other businesses are essential to shipping lines, most notably
those involved in running ports. Find out more about them
in Life of a
Port.
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