Freight Forwarding Terminology

International agreement setting forth minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a bill of lading, including limits on shipowners liability. Usually incorporated into the law of the exporting country, e.g.: Sea Carriage of Gods Act 1904 (Australia). To be replaced by Hague-Visby Riles and latterly by Hamburg Rules.

International agreement setting forth minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a bill of lading, including limits on shipowners liability. To replace Hague Rules and, in turn, be replaced latterly by Hamburg Rules.

Container with larger part of sides, or sides and roof, covered by a tarpaulin or flexible cover.

A container with open top, with or without a soft cover, between 1.12m and 1.45m (4'0" and 4'9") high.

International agreement setting forth minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a bill of lading, including limits on shipowners liability. Intended to replace Hague Rules and, latterly, the Hague-Visby Rules.

Handling containers by means of locks which are inserted into the corner castings of the container which, when they are turned, lock into these castings.

Various local charges against all seagoing vessels entering a harbor, to cover maintenance of channel depths, buoys, lights, etc. all harbors do not necessarily have this charge.

A person usually having the experience of a certificated master mariner and having a good knowledge of the characteristics of the port and its whole area. He administers the entire shipping movements that take place in and within reach of the port he is responsible for.

A vessel which has gone aground and is incapable of refloating under her own power.

A currency which is sound enough to be accepted internationally and which is usually fully convertible. See also SOFT CURRENCY.

Closed container with openable or liftable hard roof.

Ancillary equipment used on containers such as door hinges and locking devices.

This USA statute (1893) refers to merchandise or property transported from or between ports of the United States and foreign ports. Now partially superseded by the US Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1936.

An opening, generally rectangular, in a ship's deck affording access into the compartment below.

House Air Way Bill. A document of affreightment issued by an air freight forwarder used to cover the movement of goods by air. The air freight forwarder consolidates a number of HAWB's under one AWB fro transport by an airline.

Large strong rope used for towing purposes and for securing or mooring ships. Hawsers are now mostly made of steel.

Hazardous or Obnoxious cargo.

Cargo which is defined as requiring special handling or stowage on a vessel and which is classified as a hazard by the relevant Maritime authority or under the Merchant Shipping Dangerous Goods Rules, or similarly for airfreight.

Labels fixed to the goods and container indicating the type and level of hazardous cargo contained.

Hazardous Chemical substances. Consignors of goods defined as such must make the appropriate declaration to ship or aircraft operators for permission to ship the goods. The goods must be appropriately labeled, handled and stowed. There are severe penalties for non-compliance which may extend to company managers and directors, etc. See also DANGEROUS CARGO, DANGEROUS LIQUIDS, HAZARDOUS CARGO.

Insulated container fitted with a heat producing appliance which is capable of raising the temperature inside the container and maintaining it within the specified ambient range.

A package or container weighing more than 'normal' which general requires additional special equipment (crane) and or methods to lift it, incurring an extra charge.

An extra charge imposed for a package of container weighing more than normal and requiring special equipment/methods/safety precautions when being packed/unpacked/loaded/unloaded/handled.

A tiller or a wheel generally installed on the bridge or wheelhouse of a ship to turn the rudder during maneuvering and navigation. It is in fact the steering wheel of the ship.

A container with height greater than the ISO standard of 9ft.

T/C remuneration

Cargo/containers from different origins to be included under a single bill of lading, called a 'hitchment bill of lading'.

Special flexible wire rope for lifting purposes, generally being of six strands with 19 wires in each strand and in most cases having a hemp rope at the center.

A general name for the spaces below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo. A hold on a tanker is usually just forward of #1 cargo tank. Some newer tankers have no hold.

Container holding one or more hopper bins for loading from the top and discharging by gravity through the bottom.

See DOOR-TO-DOOR.

Container loaded inland but unstuffed at pier (wharf) at the destination port.

A vessel used for the transportation of passengers and cargo riding on a cushion of air formed under it. It is very maneuverable and is also amphibious.

Shell or body of a ship.

A craft more or less similar to the Hovercraft insofar as it flies over water and thus eliminates friction between the water and the hull. Under acceleration it rises above water but remains in contact with the surface through supporting legs.

Material capable of absorbing water vapor from the surrounding atmosphere, and used in packing goods and containers to minimize contamination or damage from water condensation during transportation and storage. Note: some hygroscopic substances also give up any absorbed water vapor when subject to an increase in temperature (e.g. SILICA GEL), so the selection of such substances must be carefully made to protect cargo transiting through various temperature zones during the course of a voyage.