Fig. A1 / Port call

Port call agent

A single port call involves the agent, the terminal, pilots, tugs, surveyors, chandlers, and authorities, all coordinated today over email and settled through proforma and final disbursement accounts that few teams have time to check line by line. The port call agent runs that coordination and checks every line.

What it does

  • Tracks the vessel's approach and keeps the port call timeline current for every party
  • Chases nominations, confirmations, and status updates from vendors automatically
  • Reconciles the final disbursement account (FDA) against the proforma (PDA), tariffs, and actual services rendered
  • Flags duplicate invoices, wrong-vessel billing, and tariff miscalculations before payment
  • Prepares a settlement summary with every exception documented

Inputs

  • Vessel and voyage details
  • PDA / FDA documents
  • Vendor invoices and correspondence
  • Port tariff schedules

Outputs

  • Audited disbursement account
  • Exception report with evidence
  • Settlement-ready summary
  • Port call timeline record
~20% of port-call invoices contain errors or overcharges (industry estimate)