Glossary of Common Transport Terms
ABNORMAL/OUT OF GAUGE
Cargo which cannot conform with an International Standard Organisation (I.S.O.) container and so protrudes over the sides or top of a container.
ACQUITTAL
For Container Operators – Reconciliation of documents presented to Customs with those present to container operators to prove legitimacy of import/exports.
CABOTAGE
The loan of a container to a second party for the domestic movement of cargo, thus saving the operator the cost of repositioning the container.
CARRIER HAULAGE
Transport for the delivery or collection of containers, arranged by the container operator or its agent.
CONSIGNEE
The person to whom the good are consigned.
CONSIGNOR
The person who consigns or forwards the goods.
CONSOLIDATION
Process of combining LCL parcels to make efficient use of containers.
CONTAINER DEMURRAGE
The amount payable by the importer/exporter to carrier for retaining the container beyond the free time stipulated in the applicable tariff. It is a penalty designed to discourage our merchants from keeping containers as free storage, and to speed up packing/unpacking time.
DEADFREIGHT
Payment for space booked but not used.
DEMURRAGE
Charge raised for detaining FCL container/trailer at a CFS for longer than provided in Tariff. Compensation payable to a container operator, haulier or shipowner for the detention of his equipment beyond the stipulated time in the tariff/contract/Charter Party.
DISBURSEMENT
Payment made by the ship’s agents for port charges, customs fees, stores, bunkers, water etc. on behalf of owners.
DUNNAGE
Material (wood, matting, etc.) used in stowing cargo, either for separation or for prevention of damage, by sweating, skidding etc.
FUTILE TRIP
This is incurred when a full or empty container cannot be delivered or is not available for collection upon arrival of the cartage vehicle at a depot or consignee/shipper’s premises.
INTERMODAL
The ability to move between two or more different modes of transport with the smallest interruption to the speed of transit. Used to denote movements of cargo containers interchangeably between transport modes, i.e., motor, water, and air carriers, and where the equipment is compatible within the multiple systems.
LANDBRIDGE
Movement of cargo by water from one country thought the port of another country, thence, using rail or truck, to an inland point in that country or to a third country. As example, a through movement of Asian cargo to Europe across North America.
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT
The UNCTAD preferred term for what we call Combined Transport.
NON-VESSEL OPERATING COMMON CARRIER (NVOCC)
A cargo consolidator in ocean trades who will buy space from a carrier and sub sell it to smaller shoppers. The NVOCC issues bills of lading, publishes tariffs and otherwise conducts itself as an ocean common carrier, except that it will not provide the actual ocean or Intermodal service.
TRANSSHIPMENT
When the total amount of cargo on board a vessel is too low to justify a call at the port of destination, (goods are taken off that vessel and loaded on another i.e. transhipped) for transport to the port of destination.
