Seafreight / Airfreight

[paulpaulpaul]

Hi All, I have had the idea for the last 10 years of setting up a freight company to exclusivly deal with an industry where I own two other companies.

Already for many of our clients we arrange the air or sea freight and of course put our mark up on the cost from our shippers and then quote to the client.

I wanted to get some advise about as a new company would I be able to deal direct with airlines and shipping lines, currently we deal through other middlemen and still get asked to do alot of our clients shipping.

In particular I wanted to find out about the documentation side the company name that appears on the AWB or BOL, if I start a new limited company can it be my company name even if we are still running the shipments through another middleman freight company.

If thats not possible it may be tough to keep hold of my clients if they can simply cut us out knowing which other shipping company we had used.

I look forward to anybody with direct experience working for shipping agents.

thanks alot

[paulpaulpaul]

any freight companies here ?

[babs003]

It seems not

[PhillipB@PLS]

Hi,

I have spoken to my dad who has worked for a Seafrieght and Airfreight companies in his past.

He has said that you are going into a area that is struggling at the moment, He said he is lucky due to the fact that hes the operations manager for a Airfreigth he has also said by 2010 he and his boss are the only ones that are working in the office by then will be him.

He has many friends in both business which has said they have been told a few people are going by 2009.

It is up to you really weather you want to take this chance spending that money also depends are you going to get returning customers constantly to keep your profit up.

Hope this helps.

[paulpaulpaul]

Thanks for your replies, Im sure it will be tough out there in the next few years, my other business will be the same, hence trying to do something to keep the funds coming in.

I would intend to run as part time at first and if it starts making then employ somebody else,

From my point of view even if it only makes me 50 K per year then its money I didnt have.

[paulpaulpaul]

asking again please

[paulpaulpaul]

If not this does anybody know of any shipping forums I may be able to obtain the information from