The purpose of the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (USA) Inc. is to advance and foster ideals and standards of professional and personal conduct and practices, to instill just and equitable principles among those engaged in the trade, to define customs of the business, to establish and maintain uniformity in commercial usages, to adjust controversies and misunderstandings, and to promote the common interests of establishments engaged in business as ship brokers and agents.
Code of Ethics and Conduct
Each Company Member of this Association (“Member”) which, for the purpose of this Code, shall include its officers, partners, associates and employees, firmly pledges to the following principles in the conduct of its brokerage and agency business:
1. Members shall exercise great care to avoid misrepresentation and shall be guided by principles of honesty, integrity and fair dealing.
2. Members shall adhere to all laws, regulations and sanctions programs applicable to the business, shall avoid conflicts of interest and shall comply with the Association’s Antitrust Policy.
3. Members shall be diligently acquainted with market conditions and shall keep the principal accurately informed thereof.
4. Members shall always facilitate principals in reaching and performing an agreement and shall exercise best efforts and sound judgment on their behalf.
5. When acting as a broker, Members shall handle all proposals accurately and expeditiously and shall not make decisions for the principal unless authorized to do so. When negotiating on a standard or well-known form of charter party, Members shall advise the principals of any deviation from the usual form.
6. The Member’s responsibility as a ship’s agent is to always protect the ship’s interests. The ship agent shall make every effort to manage the ship’s call efficiently.
7. Members shall promote a safe and welcoming work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, and retaliation. Every individual should be treated with dignity and respect and Members shall not tolerate harassment in any form. This principle shall extend to all gatherings and events of the Association.
8. Members shall promote and support the principles set forth herein and acknowledges that the observance of these principles will advance the standards of personal and professional conduct so that the shipping industry will continue to recognize the critical role and value of those engaged in the practice of ship brokerage and agency.
As adopted December 16, 1949, and as amended June 23, 1981, February 3, 2011, and January 2025
