Leeward

Distribution & agency
Distribution & agency
Distribution & agency
Distribution & agency
Distribution & agency
Distribution & agency

Choosing the right vehicle to sell your product is a difficult exercise. For both distribution and agency, a seller or manufacturer uses an intermediary to promote and distribute its products. At first sight, it does not seem to matter how the relationship between the supplier and the intermediary is qualified. However, qualification is essential. In addition to the similarities, there are also important differences.

Leeward knows the subleties involved in rolling out an agency, distribution and franchising. 

The figure of the 'ship's agent' has been given a different meaning in the maritime field. A ship's agent is the representative appointed by a shipping company in a certain port. The shipping agent takes the place of the shipping company and performs all acts which the shipping company would otherwise have to perform itself, such as the clearance of the goods of the ship, the crew, to supply the provision of the ship, the formalities with the Port Authority, the pilotage service, the cargo handlers, the freight forwarders and the cargo load interests. The ship's agent is a manus of everything. He orders provisions and bunker oil, reserves loading and unloading docks, negotiates freight rates and issues bills of lading.

The figure of the ship's agent is not legally regulated in Belgium. Parties are free to shape the commitments themselves as far as this is in accordance with general agency legislation. In the case of cross-border contracts, the European Commercial Agency Directive (EEC 86/653) must be taken into account. Leeward has years of experience with ship's agent agreements and frequently assists various ship's agents.