FONASBA, The Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents. At the international level, a FONASBA Quality Standard has been drawn up for shipping agents to join. To meet the certification, the following is required:

• Membership of a National association of shipbrokers
• Separate trust account, the advance is protected if the company should become insolvent
• Approved creditworthiness
• Third-party liability insurance
• A high level of business professionalism
• Well-educated staff

Read more at www.fonasba.com

UC Sigill (Seal) is a quality stamp that shows that the company is creditworthy and has good survival capability under UC’s objective risk evaluation model. The date of the Seal and risk class is updated daily by UC.

Read more at www.uc.se

AEO, Authorised Economic Operator, is an EU-wide certification program for providing increased security in the world as well as streamlining and harmonising customs procedures in Europe. An AEO status is valid in all EU Member States and the status is a stamp of quality and safety for you and your trading partners. It also presents your business with simplifications, which in turn means faster and safer flow of goods.

BIMCO is the world’s largest shipping organisation with 2720 members world-wide. Among the members are ship-owners, shipbrokers and shipping agents. The BIMCO organisation also works to promote high standards and to improve the regulation conditions in the industry.

Read more at www.bimco.org