Fremantle-based Sea Corporation Pty Ltd has struck a three year deal to handle the shipping needs of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd in the Pilbara.
Fremantle-based Sea Corporation Pty Ltd has struck a three year deal to handle the shipping needs of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd in the Pilbara.
Seacorp, which was set up by Craig Thompson in 1998, is the nation's largest independently owned Australian ship agency and shipbroking company.
The three-year contract which can be extended for five years, becomes effective from April 2008 and is understood to represent the world's largest ship agency tender signed this year.
Seacorp will handle all the ship agency, local representation and document execution for Fortescue and will be the exclusive agent for all ships calling at the Pilbara port of Port Hedland to handle Fortescue cargo.
Seacorp managing director Craig Thompson said Seacorp would also be the shipping agent for Fortescue's CFR - cost and freight terms - shipments at various discharge ports in China.
Mr Thompson said this resulted in Seacorp opening a representative office in Shanghai and would be followed by the roll out of strategically located branch offices at various Chinese ports.
Mr Thompson said Seacorp, which also serviced the north west with its dedicated ship MV Kimberley Rose, was committed to supporting the communities of the Pilbara and Kimberley region.
"Our values are aligned with Fortescue," Mr Thompson said
"Like Fortescue we have great faith in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of this state and are delighted to provide the shipping expertise to support Fortescue, " Mr Thompson said.
The Fortescue contract raises Seacorp's global status as a ship agency provider with it becoming one of the largest independently owned agencies in the southern hemisphere.
Mr Thompson said Fortescue was among a growing number of mining companies requiring independent specialist shipping expertise.
