A Freight Forwarder is a form that represents shippers by arranging transport and completing documentation required for international shipping. Some freight forwarders also act as cargo consolidators. Across the Ocean Shipping handles all forms of transportation on behalf of its customers, and in many cases provides 4PL turnkey supply chain solutions.

This refers to the disassembling of consolidated shipments for delivery or reconsignment of a shipment.

A warehouse, section of a warehouse, or secured area designated by the Customs as a bonded warehouse. It is a temporary storage area for goods until duties are paid or otherwise properly released and the cleared from the Customs.

Freight that is loosely stored i.e. not in packages or containers, shipped loose in the hold of the ship. Grain, coal and sulfur are usually bulk freight.

In short the consignee is the receiver of a targeted shipment.

Shipping containers typically comprise a single rigid, sealed, reusable metal box designed to transport cargo of many types in continuous transportation. Most ocean going shipping vessels can accommodate 20′ and 40′ length ocean containers for below deck storage and any size above deck. Containers may be ventilated (Reefers), insulated, flat rack (open sided), reefer (refrigerated), vehicle rack, or open top.

Demurrage refers to a penalty charge levied against shippers or receivers for delaying a given carriers equipment beyond its allotted time.

FCL simply means full container load.

FOB or Free on Board is an international term of sale. The goods are placed on board a ship by the seller at a port of shipment named in the sales contract. The risk of loss or damage to the goods is transferred from the seller to the buyer when the goods pass the ship’s rail.

Intermodal means interlinking freight services and generally refers to the interoperability of modes of transport in a supply chain. Such as moving a specific container type from ship to train to road.

LCL or Less than a Container Load means just that. The shipper in question here is sharing a container with other customer goods in transit.

Financial document issued by a bank at the request of the consignee guaranteeing payment to the shipper for cargo if certain terms and conditions are fulfilled. Normally it contains a brief description of the goods, documents required, a shipping date, and an expiration date after which payment will no longer be made. ( Formal term: Documentary credit or documentary letter of credit).

A non vessel operating common carrier is one that offers the same services as an ocean carrier, but which does not own or operate a vessel. NVOCCs usually act as consolidators, accepting small shipments (LCL) and consolidating them into full container loads. They then act as a shipper, tendering the containers to ocean common carriers. Also known under deregulation as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI).