Cruise ship agent in France

 As an agent for Mediterranean cruise ships, we optimize ports of call in careful compliance with procedures and respect for those involved, at all the French ports between Menton and Sète, as well as in Corsica and beyond.

Services we offer:

Services & solutions for cruise ships

As an international freight forwarder and shipping agent for vessel consignment, we manage constraints and assist crew members so that they can in turn assist passengers while we oversee proper procedures for a successful port of call.
These activities related to the field of cruise ship services are provided at the ports along the French Riviera, in Corsica and along the Atlantic coast, by MMCI, sister company of Mathez Freight Forwarding located in Monaco.

Agent handling cruise ship ports of call:

Preparation and coordination of services at vessel arrival.
Crew transfers and immigration formalities.
Storage and loading of all types of material.
Managing turnaround.
Providing security personnel and x-ray equipment.
Medical assistance for crew members and passengers.
Technical assistance – help locating technicians, spare parts, etc.

Freight forwarder and customs representative:

A complete array of transport services : express freight general air and maritime cargo, consolidated economy-rate shipments around the world, …
Receipt and loading of spare parts.
All customs procedures..

Our goal is to identify the challenges brought on by limited time in port and unexpected events that can occur prior to every departure.
Every port of call is different! That’s what I love the most in my line of work, beyond the rich encounters and exchanges with crew members.

Atanas Bozev, Mathez Freight Forwarding Nice

Advantages we offer

Multilingual agents

We speak French, English, Italian, Russian, and Bulgarian

Agent & freight forwarder

We offer the combined services of a consigning shipping agent, and sea-based and air-based freight forwarding: this facilitates boarding procedures and optimizes your operating costs.

24/7 tracking

You can count on the efficiency and precision of our teams to provide 24/7 operational service and tracking.

Customs compliance

We are a customs broker and freight forwarder with AEO-Full certification since 2013. You benefit from our expertise on excise duties and our customs certified warehouses.

We are present right at the port

Our presence directly at the port of Nice, and our complete understanding of local actors (Chamber of Commerce, harbor master's office, pilots, dockers, etc.) guarantee responsiveness and tracking.

Client testimonials

We are the preferred partner for actors in the sea-based shipping field

FAQs

Frequently asked questions with regard to support for cruise ships

1
Is it absolutely required to make use of a shipping agent?
In France, changes are underway to require that ship owners name an agent at every port of call.
The shipping agent accompanies the legal representatives of the ship owner while at port with respect to administrative and procedural tasks (acting on behalf of…).
2
Why is better to work with an independent shipping agent?
Some owners used integrated shipping agents which belong to the ship-owning group.
However, there are several advantages to working with an independent agent:
- An idependent agent often has a deeper level of expertise regarding local relations.
- Working for several ship owners, the independent agent can achieve economies of scale.
- The independent agent often combines several types of expertise, particularly those of a transport broker and customs broker.
Mathez Freight Forwarding has an excellent foundation at the ports of the French Riviera and shares with its clients its expertise as a freight forwarder, with its IATA & FIATA accreditations, and its status as a Customs Broker, and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). The group also has unparalleled VAT expertise.
3
What advantages are associated with the FONASBA label and the FIATA, IATA, and AEO-Full accreditations?
Mathez International Transport is FIATA, IATA and FONASBA accredited and since 2013, it has had AEO-Full status, which includes the AEO certificate for "customs simplification" and the AEO certificate for "safety and security."
- Since 2007, the FONASBA quality standard (Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents) offers distinction to agents that satisfy criteria of financial stability, and show the highest quality commitments in terms of professionalism and quality.
- The FIATA credential demonstrates the security of the relationships between loaders and other actors in the field of sea-based shipping, and the FIATA regulation is the reference in the event of a dispute.
- "AEO" accreditation (Authorized Economic Operator) is awarded by the Customs Administration to companies that satisfy strict customs criteria and continuously demonstrate quality, conformity, and reliability on the international logistical chain.
- The IATA certification enables use of any commercial airline and use of their AWB.
When you work with Mathez Freight Forwarding, you can rest assured that all your operations will be performed with precision, reliability, and professionalism, according to the highest standards.
4
What paperwork is required when making a port of call?
Required documents vary a great deal from one port to another, from one vessel to another, and depending on the tasks performed by that vessel. Make a Pro Forma request and we'll provide you with a price, a feasability study, and the information necessary so you'll have a worry-free port of call.