Shipping & trade terms

Goods left unclaimed or uncollected, often after incorrect paperwork, customs delays or a refused delivery. It can trigger extra storage costs and disputes.

Extra charges for services beyond standard transport, such as liftgate use, waiting time or inside delivery.

An extra commercial invoice giving further detail when the standard invoice is not enough, for example with multiple suppliers or shipment changes.

A notice from the seller telling the buyer that goods have been dispatched, with the date, carrier, tracking number and expected delivery.

A customs certification for compliant, secure traders that gives faster clearance and fewer inspections.

The average cost of moving goods across several transport modes, used to compare freight strategies.

Several smaller shipments combined into one larger shipment to access lower bulk rates and cut handling.

A driverless vehicle used in automated terminals to move containers between the quay and the yard.

A forwarder that arranges the movement of goods by air, handling customs, documents and delivery between shipper and consignee.

The main air freight document. It is the contract of carriage between shipper and airline and a receipt for the goods.

A mandatory vessel transponder that broadcasts a ship's identity, position, speed and course.

A US charge that recovers the cost of the Alameda rail corridor linking the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to inland terminals.

Flexible freight pricing that adjusts to volume, distance and market conditions.

A water area near a port where vessels wait at anchor before a berth is assigned.

Goods that look to be in satisfactory condition on a visual check at handover. Noted on documents such as the bill of lading; it does not cover hidden defects.

A document telling the consignee a shipment is about to arrive, with the details and paperwork needed to clear and collect it.

A UNCTAD customs system that automates declarations and speeds up clearance. Used by many customs administrations across Africa.

The confirmed time a vessel or cargo actually arrived.

An international customs document that allows temporary import of goods such as samples, professional equipment or exhibition items without paying duty, valid up to a year across many countries.

The exact time a vessel is secured at its berth, which starts port operations and laytime.

The confirmed time a vessel actually departed.

The return shipment of goods to origin or another location, often after damage, excess stock or returns.

A surcharge that recovers changing marine fuel (bunker) costs.

An electronic message showing the exact position of every container on a vessel, used for crane planning and stability.

A port where berths sit around an enclosed tidal basin, giving calm water but needing lock access.

The maximum width of a vessel, which limits the locks, canals and berths it can use.

The company that actually owns the goods being shipped and deals directly with carriers on rates and logistics.

The place at a quay or pier where a vessel moors to load or discharge, defined by its length, depth and crane coverage.

A measure of how much of the time a berth is in use. Too high signals congestion; too low signals underuse.

The operational role that assigns vessels to berths based on size, draft, crane needs and schedule.

A customs declaration filed when goods arrive, required for assessment, duty payment and clearance.

A written order for one party to pay a set amount to another, on demand or at a future date. Used to settle trade payments.

A certificate confirming a vessel is free of contagious disease, needed to enter certain ports.

A document issued by the carrier to the shipper that is a receipt for the goods, a document of title, and the contract of carriage.

The party responsible for paying the transport charges, which can differ from the shipper or the receiver.

An official customs ruling that confirms the origin of goods for tariff purposes.

A heavy post on the quay that secures a vessel's mooring lines.

A carrier or forwarder charge for processing a shipment booking.

Large or heavy items shipped individually rather than in containers, such as machinery or vehicles.

Non-containerised cargo shipped as individual units, such as machinery, steel coils or lumber. Needs specialised vessels and handling.

Large unpackaged quantities of goods such as grain, coal or oil, moved loose in specialised vessels or vehicles.

A specialised container for large quantities of goods, in dry, liquid, refrigerated or open-top types.

A partition inside a container or vehicle that restrains and protects cargo from moving in transit.

A charge for filing the advance cargo data that customs requires before arrival.

Insurance covering loss of or damage to goods while in transit.

A full list of all cargo in a shipment, with descriptions, quantities and consignor and consignee details. Used for customs and safety.

A customs document that works like a passport for goods, allowing tax-free temporary movement across borders.

A carrier charge that recovers the cost of security measures applied to a shipment.

The standard unit of cargo volume, used in LCL pricing and container planning.

A document confirming an insurance policy is in place to cover specific risks.

A document stating the country where goods were produced. It affects duties and trade-agreement eligibility.

Incoterm where the seller pays freight to the destination port but risk passes at loading. Sea and inland waterway only.

The waterway leading vessels into port, defined by width, depth and turning room, which limits the vessel size a port can take.

A charge for using the wheeled chassis that carries a container by road.

The main financial document in trade. Issued by the seller, it is used by customs to assess duty and verify value.

As CFR but the seller also buys minimum cargo insurance. Sea and inland waterway only. Common in letter-of-credit trade.

As CPT but the seller also buys comprehensive cargo insurance. Suitable for all transport modes.

A container owned or leased by the shipping line, the most common arrangement in international trade.

Movement of goods by several transport modes under one arrangement without handling the goods at each change. Also called intermodal transport.

A single bill of lading covering carriage across multiple transport modes under one contract.

A charge for combining smaller loads into one larger shipment to save on transport cost.

A party that combines multiple small shipments into one larger consignment to secure cheaper freight rates.

An invoice certified by the destination country's consulate, required by some countries to verify a shipment's contents and value.

A charge for cleaning a container after use, especially after dirty or contaminating cargo.

A facility near a port where cargo is consolidated or deconsolidated, held and cleared, often for LCL cargo.

A charge for fumigating a container or its contents to meet pest-control rules.

A detailed inventory of what is loaded into a container, by item, quantity and weight.

A port facility that transfers containers between ships, trucks and trains.

The area at or near a terminal where containers are stored, stacked and prepared for loading or collection.

A mark on a product showing where it was made or substantially transformed.

Incoterm where the seller pays freight to the destination but risk passes to the first carrier. Suitable for all modes.

The number of quay cranes working one vessel at the same time. More cranes mean faster turnaround.

A surcharge that covers exchange-rate movement on a trade lane.

A financial guarantee that duties, taxes and penalties owed to customs will be paid.

The formal process where customs reviews and approves cargo for import or export, including document checks and duty assessment, before release.

A formal statement to customs of the nature, value and origin of goods, the basis for duty assessment.

A tax charged by customs on imported, and sometimes exported, goods, based on their classification and value.

An invoice detailing a shipment's contents, value and terms so customs can assess duty and tax.

The latest time cargo or documents must reach the terminal for a specific sailing.

The total time to move goods from origin to destination, covering order processing, transit and delivery.

The bank releases shipping documents when the buyer accepts a bill of exchange to pay at a future date. Higher risk for the seller.

Cargo classed as hazardous, needing special packing, labelling, declaration and stowage.

A required document for hazardous cargo declaring its class, packing and handling per the IMDG Code.

Incoterm where the seller delivers goods ready for unloading at the destination, bearing all risk and cost except import duty. All modes.

A charge covering handling and moving a container at the destination for onward delivery.

Incoterm of maximum seller obligation. The seller bears all cost and risk including import duty and tax to the destination.

The total weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, fuel, crew and stores. A key capacity measure for bulk carriers.

A shipper-declared value that raises the carrier's liability limit for a shipment. It is not full insurance.

Splitting a bulk shipment into smaller parcels at a hub for onward delivery.

A charge for the final delivery of cargo to the consignee's address.

A document from the carrier authorising release of cargo to a named party. Needed to collect goods and clear customs.

A charge for keeping a container or chartered vessel at the port beyond the agreed free time.

A charge when a shipper or receiver holds a carrier's container or equipment beyond the free time allowed for loading or unloading.

Unloading cargo out of a container for storage or onward distribution. Also called unstuffing.

A fee for a shipping company paying costs such as port charges or duties on behalf of the importer or exporter.

A receipt confirming export cargo has been received at the dock in good condition before loading.

The bank releases shipping documents only when the buyer pays in full. The buyer cannot clear the goods without paying first.

An independent marine mooring structure, separate from the main quay, used for very large vessels.

The depth of a vessel below the waterline to the lowest point of the keel, which decides the berths and channels it can use.

Short-distance road transport of containers, typically between a port and a nearby warehouse or depot.

A dockside structure drained of water for ship repair, cleaning and inspection.

An inland facility that clears customs and handles containers, extending port services inland. Also called an inland container depot.

A customs notice confirming an import declaration has been received and processed. It does not mean duty is paid or cargo released.

A surcharge lines apply to recover a sudden rise in fuel cost.

The structured computer-to-computer exchange of standard shipping documents between parties.

A digital instruction from shipper to carrier with the cargo and transport details.

A document that captures the information needed to declare and track goods through customs.

A charge that recovers the cost of environmental compliance and handling, often applied at destination.

A document recording the condition and handover of a container between parties, to settle responsibility.

Integrated business software for finance, procurement and operations, often linked to a terminal's operating system.

The projected date and time a vessel, truck or cargo is expected to arrive.

The projected time a vessel will berth at its assigned quay, used to schedule resources.

The projected date and time a vessel is expected to leave port.

A special freight rate used when normal pricing does not fit unusual cargo or delivery needs.

The anticipated day goods will arrive at their destination.

A premium shipping service built for speed and urgent deliveries.

A code that classifies items under export-control law and shows whether an export licence is needed.

A legal document giving detailed information on goods being exported, for customs and compliance.

A government permit to export specific goods to a specific destination.

A unique number identifying a business that exports, used for customs and tracking.

A bill of lading that acts mainly as a receipt and lets cargo be released at destination without an original, speeding up delivery.

Incoterm where the seller only makes goods available at their premises and the buyer bears all cost and risk from there. Minimum seller obligation.

Incoterm where the seller delivers goods alongside the vessel and the buyer takes cost and risk from there. Sea and inland waterway only.

Incoterm where the seller delivers goods to a named carrier at a set place and risk passes there. Suitable for all modes.

The final invoice of all port-call costs, issued by the ship agent after the vessel departs.

A smaller vessel that moves containers between smaller ports and major hub ports.

Smaller regional ports connected to large hub ports through feeder services.

A sea service moving containers between smaller ports and hub ports using feeder vessels. Berbera is served by feeders from hubs such as Jebel Ali and Salalah.

The share of customer demand met from available stock without delay or backorder.

A pier that extends into the water so vessels can berth on both sides.

A container with collapsible ends and no roof or sides, used for oversized or heavy cargo such as machinery or vehicles.

Incoterm where the seller loads goods onto the vessel and risk passes on board. Sea and inland waterway only. Common in bulk and break-bulk trade.

Unforeseen events beyond a party's control, such as disasters, strikes or port closures, that prevent meeting contract obligations.

A logistics integrator that manages a whole supply chain for a client, including several 3PL providers and systems.

Terms where the shipper pays loading costs at origin and the carrier pays unloading costs at destination.

Health clearance confirming a vessel has no infectious disease on board, required before crew go ashore and before cargo work.

An area where goods can be stored, processed and re-exported with reduced, deferred or zero customs duty.

A formal demand for compensation from a carrier for cargo lost, damaged or delayed in transit.

Terms where the consignee pays the transport charges at destination rather than the shipper at origin.

A logistics provider that arranges the movement of cargo for shippers, coordinating transport, documents and customs.

A shipping method where a container is used for one shipper's cargo only. Suited to large or high-volume shipments.

A shipment that fills an entire truck for one shipper. Faster and more direct than LTL.

A document confirming a shipment or its packaging has been treated to kill pests, often required for wood packing and agricultural goods.

A temporary bridge or ramp from a vessel's deck to shore, for crew and officials during a port call.

A method of shipping garments hung rather than folded, to reduce creasing and speed store replenishment.

The management of truck entry and exit at a terminal, including scanning, inspection and receipt issue. A key efficiency bottleneck.

The moment a container leaves a terminal or depot through the gate, a tracking milestone used to time storage and demurrage.

The moment a container enters a terminal or depot through the gate and is logged in the system.

A status for cargo not cleared and released in the required time at the port. It may be moved to bonded storage and incur extra fees.

A blanket rise in base freight rates announced by lines, often ahead of peak seasons.

Satellite positioning used to track vessels, cranes, yard vehicles and containers.

A measure of a vessel's total enclosed volume, used to calculate port dues, pilotage and canal tolls.

The total weight of goods including all packaging and the container.

A US federal fee on imports moving through US ports, funding harbour maintenance.

The senior marine official responsible for safe navigation and vessel movements in port waters.

A global numerical code that classifies traded products and sets the applicable tariff, statistics and controls.

Moving goods by road or rail.

US term for dangerous goods, covering flammable, toxic, corrosive and explosive materials.

An extra charge for moving exceptionally heavy cargo that needs special equipment and handling.

A refrigerated container that no longer cools, used as a standard high-cube box.

The inland area a port serves, its cargo catchment zone. Ports compete for hinterland share on connectivity and price.

An air waybill issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper, as a receipt and terms of carriage between them.

A bill of lading issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper, distinct from the Master B/L issued by the shipping line.

The mandatory framework covering worker safety, accident prevention and environmental compliance in port operations.

A terminal vehicle that moves trailers within a yard's tight spaces. Also called a terminal tractor.

The IMO code governing safe sea transport of hazardous cargo, setting packing, labelling and stowage rules.

A document listing goods entering a country, essential for customs clearance.

A requirement for importers to send shipment details to customs before sea loading, common on US-bound cargo.

Standard trade rules from the ICC that set who pays for and bears the risk of each stage of delivery between buyer and seller.

A contract and receipt between shipper and carrier for surface transport by road or rail.

An inland facility authorised for customs clearance of containers, which eases congestion at seaports. Also called a dry port.

Charges for moving cargo between a port and an inland point by road or rail.

Proof that insurance cover is in place for a shipment, summarising the type, limit and duration.

Providers offering end-to-end logistics under one roof, from collection through transport and warehousing to delivery.

Moving goods in one container across several transport modes for efficiency and lower cost.

The UN agency that regulates international shipping for safety, environmental protection and security.

Insurance covering delay caused by events such as strikes, accidents or disasters during transit.

The international standard for environmental management systems, increasingly required in port concessions.

The international standard for occupational health and safety management, which replaced OHSAS 18001 in 2018.

An IMO framework setting mandatory security requirements for ships and port facilities. ISPS charges recover the compliance cost.

A structure extending from the shore into the water for vessel berthing, often for tankers, ferries or bulk cargo.

The lowest structural member of a vessel along its centreline, the reference point for draft measurement.

A measurable metric of port or terminal performance, such as moves per hour, berth occupancy or dwell time.

The full delivered cost of goods, including purchase price, freight, insurance, duty, tax and handling.

The final stage of delivery, from a local hub to the customer's door.

The full length of a vessel from bow to stern, key for berth allocation and port access.

Cargo that does not fill a container. Several shippers share one box, grouped and split by a consolidator.

Road freight that shares a truck with other shippers' goods, cheaper than a full truck for small loads.

A bank guarantee that the seller is paid once shipment conditions are met, one of the most secure trade payment methods.

A document by which one party indemnifies another against a risk, often used to release cargo without an original B/L.

A charge for using a truck's hydraulic lift to load or unload where there is no loading dock.

A low-emission alternative marine fuel. Adoption is rising under IMO decarbonisation targets and needs special bunkering.

Propane or butane shipped in liquid form under pressure in pressurised tankers, needing dedicated terminal storage.

An integrated road, rail and port route linking production zones to markets. Ports on major corridors, such as the Horn of Africa, gain a competitive edge.

Shipping lines that own and run vessels on major trade routes.

A shipping document listing all cargo on a vessel or vehicle, used for customs and inventory.

A quay built parallel to the shore, the most common berth layout in modern container terminals.

The main IMO convention preventing pollution from ships, covering oil, garbage, sewage and air emissions.

A bill of lading issued by the ocean carrier to a freight forwarder or NVOCC. It is a receipt, contract and title document.

A US customs fee for processing imports.

A shipper's contractual promise to move a minimum cargo volume with a carrier over a period, usually in exchange for better rates.

A system that aggregates operational data into dashboards, KPI reports and forecasts for decisions.

A self-propelled crane for ports without fixed quay cranes, able to handle containers, bulk and project cargo.

Securing a vessel to a berth using mooring lines attached to bollards.

The main crane-productivity metric, the number of container lifts completed per crane per hour.

A terminal that handles several cargo types: containers, bulk, breakbulk, RoRo and project cargo. Common in regional hub ports.

A measure of a vessel's revenue-earning cargo volume, used in some port and canal dues.

The weight of the goods only, excluding packaging. Used on invoices and for duty.

A B/L that is a receipt only. Ownership does not transfer and only the named consignee can take delivery.

A statement setting out costs that will not be refunded, to clarify responsibility and avoid disputes.

A formal notice from the vessel that it is ready to load or discharge, which starts the laytime clock.

The party told when a shipment arrives, for coordination. It can differ from the consignee.

A carrier that sells ocean transport and issues its own bill of lading but does not own the ships, buying space from the lines.

Moving large volumes of goods by sea in containers. Cheaper than air but slower, with cost driven by distance, volume and surcharges.

A party such as a freight forwarder or NVOCC that arranges ocean shipping between shipper and carrier.

A non-negotiable sea transport document that acts as receipt and contract and needs no original to release cargo.

A berth away from the quay where cargo is transferred by barges or lighters, used where depth or quay space is limited.

The former occupational health and safety standard, replaced by ISO 45001 in 2018.

A container with a removable tarpaulin roof, for cargo too tall to fit through standard doors.

Camera technology at gates and cranes that automatically reads container and plate numbers, cutting manual entry.

Software that manages customer orders from creation to fulfilment.

Services that manage shipment bookings from origin to final destination.

A list of the origin-side costs in a shipment, such as loading, terminal handling and documentation.

The road-transport start point where goods are collected, consolidated and loaded for distribution.

The original B/L acting as receipt, contract and proof of ownership, needed to claim goods at destination.

The US workplace-safety regulator, referenced in many port safety frameworks.

Cargo too large for a standard container, needing flat racks or open-top containers.

The boundary where vessels must report to port authorities before entering the approach channel.

A document listing every item in a shipment by package, quantity, dimensions and weight. Accompanies the commercial invoice.

A fee for the use, rental or handling of pallets in shipping.

The toll for passing through the Panama Canal, based on vessel size and cargo.

An extra charge during high-demand periods when vessel space is tight.

Required safety gear for port workers, such as hard hats, hi-vis vests and steel-toe boots.

A charge for collecting cargo from the shipper's location.

A US charge at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports that supports off-peak truck gates to ease congestion.

A licensed navigator who boards vessels to guide them through channels and berths. Pilotage is compulsory in most ports.

The statutory body responsible for port governance, safety regulation and infrastructure.

The full set of stakeholders around a port: lines, terminals, agents, customs, forwarders, truckers and banks.

A shared digital platform that connects the port community to exchange data.

Competition between ports for cargo, vessel calls and hinterland share, on price, speed, draft and connectivity.

An extra charge lines apply when a port is congested and vessels are delayed.

A legal document for goods entering or leaving a port, with vessel, cargo and customs details.

Documentation ships submit at ports covering vessel, cargo and crew, for customs, security and environmental rules.

The place where cargo is loaded onto the vessel for an international shipment.

A charge for storing cargo at the port beyond the allowed free time.

A safety check of a vehicle before a journey, covering brakes, lights, tyres and fluids.

The ship agent's advance estimate of all port-call costs before the vessel arrives.

A preliminary invoice outlining goods, prices and terms before the sale is finalised. Used to support agreements and financing.

Confirmation that goods were delivered, usually with the recipient's signature, date and condition.

An arrangement where government provides land or infrastructure and a private operator runs the terminal.

A platform built along the shoreline for loading and unloading ships.

The large rail-mounted crane at the quayside that loads and discharges containers, rated by reach and lift capacity.

A yard gantry crane running on fixed rails, with higher stacking capacity than an RTG.

The end of a rail line where goods are unloaded for onward transport.

A rail transport document that is both contract and receipt, with sender, receiver and routing details.

A contract fixing transport terms and rates between shipper and carrier for a set period.

The time a vessel spends in port from arrival to departure. Shorter turnaround means higher efficiency.

A wheeled machine that lifts and stacks containers, used in smaller terminals, depots and rail yards.

A B/L confirming the carrier has received the goods but not yet loaded them onto the vessel.

A refrigerated container with its own cooling unit for temperature-sensitive goods.

Wireless tags used to automatically identify and track containers, equipment and vehicles.

A method for wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks and machinery, driven on and off the vessel using ramps.

Cargo not loaded on the intended vessel and rescheduled to a later sailing, causing delay. Common causes include overbooking and documentation errors.

A mobile yard crane on rubber tyres for stacking and moving containers.

A structured framework to identify hazards and manage risk, required under the ISM Code for vessels.

The IMO's main ship-safety treaty, covering construction, safety equipment and cargo, including VGM.

A note on shipping documents meaning the carrier received a container based only on the shipper's description, without verifying the contents.

The shipowner's local representative who coordinates a vessel's port call, from berthing to disbursement accounting.

A container owned by the shipper rather than the shipping line, with the shipper managing positioning and return.

A document from the shipper telling the forwarder how the shipment should be handled and documented.

The shipper's instructions to the forwarder or carrier on how a shipment should be handled, documented and routed.

A carrier document confirming space is booked and authorising delivery of cargo to the terminal.

A detailed invoice used for customs, with item descriptions, values, origins and terms.

An area with special tax and customs rules and investment incentives, often anchored by a port.

The ship agent's timed record of events during a port call, used for laytime and demurrage calculations.

The company or worker that physically loads and discharges cargo from vessels. Their efficiency drives vessel turnaround.

A plan showing the exact placement of every unit of cargo on a vessel by bay, row and tier, used for stability and sequencing.

A vehicle that lifts containers by straddling them, used for transport and stacking in medium-sized terminals.

The management of the flow of goods and services, from raw materials through to finished-product delivery and returns.

A second set of B/L documents issued to change shipment details such as destination or shipper, without the original, requiring strict checks.

A cylindrical tank in an ISO frame used to ship liquids, gases or powders, including food-grade products, chemicals and fuels.

The weight of the container itself, empty, stencilled on the door. Used to work out the verified gross mass.

An electronic bank-to-bank transfer of funds, common in trade payments. Also called a wire transfer.

An electronic confirmation that the original B/L has been surrendered, allowing cargo release without the physical document.

The cost of handling a container at the destination terminal after arrival.

Terminal fees for handling a container at the port, covering loading, discharge and movement. Separate from ocean freight.

The cost of handling a container at the origin terminal before loading.

Software that runs terminal operations, from vessel and yard planning to gate operations and billing.

A terminal charge covering security screening and compliance at the port.

A vehicle that moves container chassis between the quay, yard blocks and gate. The workhorse of terminal operations.

The contract conditions setting the rights, duties and liabilities of carrier and customer for a shipment.

An outside provider that handles logistics functions such as transport, warehousing and fulfilment for a business.

A single combined rate covering movement across more than one transport stage.

The total cargo volume a port or terminal handles in a period, the main measure of productivity.

A customs transit document that lets sealed goods cross multiple borders with fewer inspections.

The combined cost of storing and moving goods from the supply point to the customer.

The tugboat service that helps vessels berth, unberth and manoeuvre in confined port waters.

A fee used at some ports to encourage off-peak gate use and reduce daytime congestion.

A customs document that accompanies goods moving under a transit procedure across borders.

The total time from cargo departure at origin to arrival at destination. A key measure for comparing carriers and routes.

A short covering note sent with documents explaining what is enclosed and what action is needed.

Transferring cargo from one vessel to another at a hub port without it entering the host country. Common at hubs such as Jebel Ali and Salalah.

A powerful, highly manoeuvrable vessel that pushes and pulls large ships in confined port waters.

The standard unit for container capacity. One TEU is one 20-foot container.

A very large container vessel, often above 18,000 TEU, that needs deep-water ports.

A very large oil tanker, typically above 320,000 deadweight tonnes, used on long-haul routes.

A B/L that notes problems such as damaged goods or poor packaging. Also called a claused bill.

The minimum gap between a vessel's keel and the seabed, critical in shallow-water ports.

ICC rules for documentary credits such as letters of credit, which standardise document handling.

Pallets and containers used to consolidate air-freight cargo for loading onto aircraft.

Charges for unpacking or stripping cargo out of a container.

A percentage measure of how effectively vehicles, vessels or equipment are used over a period.

Carrier fees based on the declared value of goods, giving extra cover for loss or damage.

A consumption tax applied on imports in most countries, a key part of landed cost.

The confirmed weight of a packed container, mandatory before loading under SOLAS since 2016.

A US permit governing vessel discharges into US waters, such as ballast and bilge water.

A full list of all cargo on a ship, used for customs verification and duty calculation.

An arrangement where two or more shipping lines share space on each other's vessels on a trade lane.

A shore-based system, like air traffic control for ships, that monitors and coordinates vessel movements in port approaches.

A fee based on the space cargo occupies.

A pricing model where cost is based on the space a shipment occupies rather than its weight.

A vessel's complete journey between ports, the base unit for scheduling and freight accounting.

A surcharge for shipping through areas with a heightened risk of war or conflict.

Charges for storing and handling goods in a warehouse.

Cargo priced mainly on its mass rather than its volume.

A cost based on the cargo's weight. In air freight the higher of actual and volumetric weight is used.

A fee charged by a port for using its wharf to load or unload cargo.

The intergovernmental body that coordinates customs policy worldwide and runs the Harmonized System.

The container storage area behind the quay, organised into blocks, rows, bays and tiers.

A measure of how full a terminal yard is at a given time. High levels signal congestion risk.

The role that pre-plans container placement in the yard to cut crane moves and reshuffles.

The percentage of yard capacity currently occupied by containers, best kept below about 80 percent for efficiency.

A pricing model that uses geographic zones to set shipping cost.