Shipping Terms Glossary

Abbreviation for “Beneficial Cargo Owner.” Refers to the importer of record, who physically takes possession of cargo at destination and does not act as a third party in the movement of such goods.

The width of a ship.

A switching railroad operating within a commercial area.

– Entity to whom money is payable. – The entity for whom a letter of credit is issued. – The seller and the drawer of a draft.

Shipped under rate that includes cost from end of ship’s tackle at load port to end of ship’s tackle at discharge port.

Used with reference to charges assessed for cargo movement past a line-haul terminating point.

A contract term meaning both parties agree to provide something for the other.

In the United States, commonly known as a “Draft.” However, bill of exchange is the correct term.

A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods. – Amended B/L: B/L requiring updates that do not change financial status; this is...

Port where cargo is discharged from means of transport.

Confirms the transfer of ownership of certain goods to another person in return for money paid or loaned.

Customer designated as party paying for services.

The weight shown in a waybill and freight bill, i.e, the invoiced weight.

A bond covering a group of persons, articles or properties.

– A rate applicable to or from a group of points. – A special rate applicable to several different articles in a single shipment.

A waybill covering two or more consignments of freight.

A B/L wherein the paying customer has contracted with the carrier that shipper or consignee information is not given.

Stowing cargo destined for a specific location close together to avoid unnecessary cargo movement.

Railcars grouped in a train by destination so that segments (blocks) can be uncoupled and routed to different destinations as the train moves through various junctions. Eliminates the need to break up a train and sort individual railcars at each junction.

Wood or metal supports (Dunnage) to keep shipments in place to prevent cargo shifting.

Abbreviation for “Bales.”

To gain access to a vessel.

The basic unit of measurement for lumber. One board foot is equal to a oneinch board, 12 inches wide and one foot long. Thus, a board ten feet long, 12 inches wide, and one inch thick contains ten board feet.

Movement of a tractor, without trailer, over the highway.

A set of wheels built specifically as rear wheels under the container.

A device fitted on a chassis or railcar to hold and secure the container.

Port of initial Customs entry of a vessel to any country. Also known as First Port of Call.

Freight moving under a bond to U.S. Customs or to the Internal Revenue Service, and to be delivered only under stated conditions.

A warehouse authorized by Customs authorities for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed.

Arrangements with a carrier for the acceptance and carriage of freight; i.e., a space reservation.

Reservation number used to secure equipment and act as a control number prior to completion of a B/L.

Structural members on the longitudinal sides of the base of the container.

A type of air circulation in a temperature control container. Air is pulled by a fan from the top of the container, passed through the evaporator coil for cooling, and then forced through the space under the load and up through the cargo. This type of airflow provides...

The front of a vessel.

A closed rail freight car.

– To unload and distribute a portion or all of the contents of a rail car, container, or trailer. – Loose, non-containerized cargo.

An inland location where cargo is received by the ocean carrier and then moved to a coastal port for loading.

A port where cargo is received by the ocean carrier and stuffed into containers but then moved to another coastal port to be waded on a vessel.

– The loss of space caused by irregularity in the shape of packages. – Any void or empty space in a vessel or container not occupied by cargo.

A person who arranges for transportation of loads for a percentage of the revenue from the load.

Freight forwarder/broker compensation as specified by ocean tariff or contract.

Not in packages or containers; shipped loose in the hold of a ship without mark and count.” Grain, coal and sulfur are usually bulk freight.

A container with a discharge hatch in the front wall; allows bulk commodities to be carried.

– A partition separating one part of a ship, freight car, aircraft or truck from another part.

Cargo-securing devices mounted in the floor of containers; allow lashing and securing of cargo.

An extra charge sometimes added to steamship freight rates; justified by higher fuel costs. (Also known as Fuel Adjustment Factor or FAF.)

A Maritime term referring to Fuel used aboard the ship. Coal stowage areas aboard a vessel in the past were in bins or bunkers.