Shipnext Deal Raises Online Shipping Standards

Digital shipping platform Shipnext has partnered with the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) in a deal designed to raise standards in online shipping services.

The collaboration, announced in late-December, means only FONASBA-approved ship brokers and agents will be listed as service providers on Shipnext’s Ports module. When new companies meet the federation’s standards, Shipnext will update its platform to display those agents in the relevant port or country.

According to Shipnext CEO Alexander Varvarenko, the partnership with London-based FONASBA, which has members in 67 countries and represents more than 5,000 individual companies worldwide, ensures only the highest quality agents are listed on the platform’s pages.

“Sometimes you have to choose an agent and you don’t know if he’s going to perform, or if he is going to steal your money, or if he even exists at all – that’s the issue we want to bridge,” Varvarenko told Breakbulk.

“We don’t want people contacting agents that are not verified or are not part of their local agents’ associations. It’s a guarantee for our users. The partnership will help forwarders get new business activity, especially those involved in chartering and shipments.”

Varvarenko founded Shipnext in 2015.

The platform, which boasts thousands of daily users including brokers, traders, shippers, forwarders, and carriers, uses AI-driven technology to help manage shipping data, process emails, and digitalize workflows and trade.

The platform covers breakbulk, dry-bulk, wet-bulk, oversized and containerized freight.


Shipnext is a sponsor of Breakbulk Middle East 2024, happening on 12-13 February at the Dubai World Trade Center in the UAE. Don't miss out on the region's leading event for the project cargo and breakbulk industries!

Reserve your tickets here.

TOP PHOTO: Jonathan C. Williams, general manager at FONASBA (left) and Alexander Varvarenko, Shipnext (right). CREDIT: Shipnext