Airport code

is a short code used to identify a specific airport. Based on IATA, airport code is a three-letter code which is the most commonly known to the public.

Ams

An application that expedites the clearance of cargo for the subsequent release of containers when imported to the US.

Barge

Is a flat-bottomed boat, built for river and canal transport of heavy goods.

Bill of lading

Is a document signed by carrier and issued to the shipper of goods that evidences the receipt of goods for shipment to a specified designation and person.

Cbm

Cbm stands for Cubic Meter. This is the most common unit used for the measurement of volumetric cargo. Normally, dimensions are in Length x Width X Height.

Chargeable weight

is the actual gross weight or the volume weight of the shipment – whichever is greater.

Cic

Is a surcharge collected by carriers to cover the arising expense from re-position of a large amount of empty containers from excess place to deficient place.

Consolidation

Is a method in which a freight forwarder at the port of origin combines several individual consignments to make up a full container load. This arrangement allows goods to be shipped in security. At the port of destination, the consolidated shipment is sep

Cut of time

is the time limit when the cargo must be received by carrier.

Delivery order

Is a written instruction from the owner of the goods to someone who is keeping them to give them to another person.

DG

Are dangerous goods. DG are substance that may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, toxic … These goods can be deadly and can damage property and environment.

Ebs

Which is the same as bunker surcharge, is the adding of the premium for fuel to the cost of the freight.

Ens

Fee for cargo bound for the EU. All goods brought into the custom territory of the EU community shall be cover by Entry Summary Declaration.

Etd

Is "Estimated Time of Departure"

FCL

FCL means the load reaches its allowable maximum weight or measurement.

Feeder vessel

Which is normally small size, serves between small ports to major ports. Average capacity of a feeder vessel is 300 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 500 TEU (20’ containers).

FIOS

(FREE IN, OUT, STOWED): It is most important to remember that the "Free" reference is viewed from the Ship Owners point of view - not the Shipper’s. Some Shippers get caught out when they read the word "Free" as they incorrectly believe that it refers to them. Freight rates quoted on a FIOS basis specifically exclude all aspects relating to cargo handling operations. The ship is only responsible for expenses arising as a result of the ship calling into the port, i.e. tugs, pilots and light dues etc. Another very important consideration when booking cargo on FIOS terms is that the ship does not bear any responsibility for the speed of loading or discharging. Usually the rate agreed includes a fixed "free" period of time for loading/discharging operations, after which time a daily demurrage is incurred. Obviously this is of paramount importance where port congestion or stevedoring performance is uncertain. There are many overseas ports which fall into this category and particularly where vessel demurrage rates can vary significantly, depending on the size and type of ship nominated to undertake the particular project.

Formula to calculate chargeable weight

Volume Weight = (Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm)) / 6000

Freight collect

Is that the consignee of the goods is to pay the freight charges upon receiving the goods.

Freight prepaid

Is that the freight charges have been paid and the consignee can get the goods without paying the carrier.

FS

Means that there will be no extra shipping charge included in the price. The price that mentioned for an article is the final price.

FS

(Fuel Surcharge): means that there will be no extra shipping charge included in the price. The price that mentioned for an article is the final price.

FULL LINER TERMS

This is somewhat a vaguer term given different port practices. However, it generally implies that the freight amount provided includes both shore based and on-board stevedoring, lashing/unlashing, dunnage materials, securing/unsecuring and all costs of presenting to/receiving the cargo from the ship’s side; with the shippers/receivers just bearing the cost of discharging from/reloading to the transport, along with the usual port charges/levies/taxes etc.

Gross weight

is the total weight including contents, packaging.

Hanging garment container

(also known as Hang container) is standard, dry container that is outfitted to be able to safely and conveniently carry garments on hangers.

House bill of lading

Is issued by freight forwarder to the actual customer.

Inner packaging

is a crucial piece to any product box or shipping container especial when that box contains multiple product pieces.

Invoice

is a commercial document issued by seller to buyer, indicating the products, quantities and prices for products or services. Payment terms are usually included on the invoice.

LCL

when there is not enough cargo to a full container. That means cargoes will be shared within a container to deliver economically.

Lift off
is a containerized cargo ship which is loaded and offloaded by a port’s crane.
LINER TERMS - GENERAL STATEMENT

Liner Terms is a very ambiguous statement and can be interpreted in a variety of ways in different ports of the world and by different Ship Owners/Agents. Personally we would prefer to clearly define the extent of responsibility when quoting on this basis.

LINER TERMS HOOK / HOOK

Given that this is a notional point in chartering terms, this is best described as the Shipper/Receiver arranging for delivery/receival of cargo to/from directly under ships hook and the ship paying for the labour to stow the cargo in the vessels cargo holds, as well as on-board lashing & securing and provision of dunnage materials, and to discharge again over the ship’s side. Shore based stevedoring aspects remain the responsibility of the shipper/receiver, however, there are some Owners that may incorporate these costs into their LTHH rate. Once again, ask Owners to clearly define this aspect. Wharfage charges/dues/taxes can be a contentious issue but are usually considered to be for the Shippers/Receivers account and there may also be many other statutory levies on cargo or freight that may apply. Many Shippers/Receivers are unaware of these additional costs and do not include them into their costing and consequently may be left with an unexpected considerable expense at the completion of a project.

Loading

Put cargo on the ship or transportation means.

LOLO ship

is a containerized cargo ship which is loaded and offloaded by a port’s crane

M2

Is a symbol of square meter (the area of a square whose sides measure one meter). Sqm = L x W (m2).

Master bill of lading

Is issued by shipping line (carrier) to the forwarder.

Mother vessel

Is a big size. Mother vessel only serves between major big ports. Mother vessel has the capacity to carry thousands of containers. Average capacity of a mother vessel is 1000 to 1500 TEU.

Offloading

Unloading of cargo from the transporting vehicle or vessel.

Outer packaging

the outer protection of a composite or combination packaging together with any absorbent materials and any other components necessary to contain and protect inner packaging.

OWS

The amount added for each unit of weight over.

Packing list

is a document which details the contents, dimensions and weight of each package or container. It informs to all parties involved with shipping about the contents of the package.

PSS

Is added to cargo moving from Asia. This fee remains in effect for the duration of a typical peak season from August to October when there is an increase in the demand for shipping goods to prepare for the season of Christmas and Thanksgiving Day at the U.S. and Europe

Ship charter

Chartering is an activity within the shipping industry. Charterer may own cargo and employ a shipbroker to find a ship to deliver the cargo for a certain price. The charterer may also be a party without cargo who takes a vessel on charter for a specified period from the owner and then trades the ship to carry cargoes

Shipping agent

A person or company whose business is to prepare shipping documents, arrange shipping space and insurance, and deal with customs requirements

Shipping articles

A type of contract by which sailors agree to the conditions, payment, etc, for the ship in which they are going to work

Shipping clerk

A clerk who attends to the packing, unpacking, receiving, sending out, and recording of shipments.

Shipping instructions

Is a document sent by an exporter giving details of how goods are to be shipped and delivered.

Trailer

Is an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Trailer are part of large trucks called semi-trailer trucks for transportation of cargo

ULD

Is a pallet or container used to load cargo on aircraft. It allows a large quality of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Each ULD has its own packing list so that it contents can be tracked

Unloading

Remove or discharge cargo from ship.

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