Within the framework of its annual institutional liaison activities, the National Association of Ship Agents of Chile (Asonave) held a presentation aimed at the harbor pilots who will enter the service, at the facilities of the Maritime Instruction and Training Center (Cimar).
The presentation was given by the executive vice president of Asonave, Claudio Morales, and was titled “The Strategic Role of the Ship Agent in the Maritime Logistics System of Chile.” The purpose of the activity was to bring future pilots closer to the work carried out by Ship Agents within the maritime-port system, highlighting their role as representatives of the shipowner in port and as coordinators of maritime operations.
The presentation covered topics such as the main functions of the agent, the sequence of work that accompanies each port call, the responsibilities according to the type of vessel, and the competencies that this professional role demands today. During the presentation, the weight that Asonave holds within the national maritime activity was also highlighted. The association, founded in 1992, brings together companies with a presence in the country’s main ports, from Arica to Punta Arenas, and coordinates more than 5,200 annual port calls, representing a share of over 62% of the system.
One of the central axes of the meeting was the relationship between Pilots and Ship Agents, understood as a key coordination for the proper functioning of maritime operations. The presentation highlighted that both provide an essential service to the vessel and that the efficiency of the system depends directly on the way this coordination is developed in practice.
In this context, Asonave shared a frank and constructive view on the areas for improvement that may exist in operational interaction, but also on the good practices that strengthen joint work. Among the latter, a proactive attitude, a collaborative approach with the agency, a positive disposition in the face of contingencies, and flexibility in the face of operational changes defined by the terminals were mentioned.
The presentation also made it possible to put on the table the challenges currently facing the maritime-port environment, marked by digitalization processes, automation, geopolitical changes, infrastructure modernization, and new requirements in terms of sustainability and traceability. In this scenario, coordination between the different actors in the system appears as an increasingly decisive factor to ensure operational continuity, efficiency, and safety.
Likewise, it was highlighted that the Ship Agent adds value to the system not only from daily operations but also from its ability to centralize the representation of the shipowner, coordinate multiple actors, comply in a timely manner with obligations before public entities, and contribute to the order and continuity of operations.
The day closed with an invitation to maintain permanent spaces for dialogue between pilots and ship agents, understanding that both are key links for the success of the maritime system and for the service to Chile’s foreign trade.
