The major shipping point in a local area; carriers consider all points in the local area to be the rate basis point.

A carrier service that permits a shipper to change the destination and/or consignee after the shipment has reached its originally billed destination and to still pay the through rate from origin to final destination.

A container with a self-contained refrigeration unit, used for the transportation of perishable cargo.

Document to advise that goods are available for further movement or action.

A cargo which enables a ship to return loaded to the port or area where her previous cargo was loaded.

A ton on which the shipment is freighted.

Cargo which is on wheels, such as truck or trailers, and which can be driven or towed on to a ship.

Freight ship or ferry with facilities for vehicles to drive on and off (roll-on roll-off); a system of loading and discharging a ship whereby the cargo is driven on and off on ramps. Equipped with large openings at bow and stern and sometimes also in the side, the ship permits rapid loading and discharge with hydraulically operated ramps providing easy access. Fully loaded trucks or trailers carrying containers are accommodated on the deck.

A flat tray, generally made of wood but occasionally of steel, on which goods particularly those in boxes, cartons or bags, can be stacked. Its purpose is to facilitate the movement of such goods, mainly by the use of forklift trucks.

A machine that wraps a pallet’s contents in stretch-wrap to ensure safe shipment.

Multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.

The inspection of foreign ships in national ports for the purpose of verifying that the condition of a ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with applicable international law.

Freight paid by the shipper to the carrier when merchandise is tendered for shipment that is not refundable if the merchandise does not arrive at the intended destination.

An invoice, forwarded by the seller of goods prior to shipment, that advises the buyer of the particulars and value of the goods. Usually required by the buyer in order to obtain an import permit or letter of credit.

 A type of quotation or offer that may be used when first negotiating the sales of goods or services. If the pro-forma is accepted, then the terms and conditions of the pro-forma may become the request.

 A document created by a buyer to officially request a product or service from a seller. It contains, among other things, the name and address of the buyer, the ship-to address, the quantity, product code (and expected price), requested ship or receipt date, sales and shipping terms, and other appropriate information.

In a time charter, the owner is entitled to a limited time for his vessel to be off hire until such time as the vessel may be repaired or dry-docked.

Discharge of cargo from a ship.

Pricing systems that are flexible and not subject to conference approval. Usually applied to products in which tramps are substituted for liners.

A term used in place of “flag of convenience” or “flag of necessity” to denote registry in a country which offers favorable tax, regulatory, and other incentives to ship owners from other nations.

A container fitted with a solid removable roof, or with a tarpaulin roof so the container can be loaded or unloaded from the top.

A situation where there are too many ships generally or in a particular trade for the level of available cargoes.

The abbreviation of the name of an organization that should be notified when a shipment reaches its destination.

Broadly, insurance covering loss or damage of goods at sea. Marine insurance typically compensates the owner of merchandise for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, etc., but excludes losses that can be recovered from the carrier.

Forty cubic feet; used in water transportation ratemaking.

The relative use that companies make of transportation modes; the statistics include ton-miles, passenger-miles, and revenue.

The transaction or interchange that occurs at the time a container is received by a rail terminal or water port from another carrier.

Set of international rules compiled by the International Chamber of Commerce for interpretation of predominant terms used in foreign trade contracts. See Incoterms 2000.

 The carriage contract used in transport from a shipping point overland to the exporter’s international carrier location.

 An enterprise that offers overland service to or from a point of export.

 A document certifying that merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good condition immediately prior to shipment.

 A system of protection against loss under which a number of parties agree to pay certain sums (premiums) for a guarantee that they will be compensated under certain conditions for specified loss and damage.

 A document issued to the consignee to certify that insurance is provided to cover loss of or damage to the cargo while in transit.

 The use of two or more transportation modes to transport freight; for example, rail to ship to truck.

 A detailed statement showing goods sold or shipped and amounts for each. The invoice is prepared by the seller and acts as the document that the buyer will use to make payment.

 The carrier whose name is printed on the bill of lading and with whom the contract of carriage exists.

 The International Ship and Port Facility Code adopted by an IMO Diplomatic Conference in December 2002. Measure is designed to strengthen maritime security. (ISPS Code – Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS).

Articles or substances capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety, or property, and that ordinarily require special attention when transported. Also called Dangerous Goods.

Any container exceeding 102 inches in height.

A narrow portable platform used as a passage, by persons entering or leaving a vessel moored alongside a pier or quay.

A common motor carrier that has operating authority to transport general commodities, or all commodities not listed as special commodities.

A warehouse used to store goods that are readily handled, are packaged, and do not require a controlled environment.

A term associated with more than one definition: 1) Common term indicating movable property, merchandise, or wares. 2) All materials which are used to satisfy demands. 3) Whole or part of the cargo received from the shipper, including any equipment supplied by the shipper.

A common measurement of the internal volume of a ship with certain spaces excluded. One ton equals 100 cubic feet; the total of all the enclosed spaces within a ship expressed in tons each of which is equivalent to 100 cubic feet.

The total weight of the vehicle and the payload of freight or passengers.