Essential Practices for Safe Cargo Stowage and Handling
Cargo Operations: Stowage and Handling Safety
Importance of Correct Cargo Stowage
Proper cargo stowage is essential to ensure safety during transport. If cargo is not lashed and stowed correctly, it may shift, causing damage or accidents. Companies expect their staff to handle cargo with care and follow loading procedures strictly. Poor stowage can increase costs and delay deliveries. It is also important to lift and consign goods in the right order to improve efficiency. Developing good stowage practices
Read MoreLogistics Terminology: Air, Rail, and Motor Freight
Air Freight Transportation
Aircraft: A vehicle capable of flight, such as an airplane or helicopter.
Valuable: Being worth a lot of money.
Belly Hold: The underside of an aircraft where cargo is placed for transport.
Time-Sensitive: Needing to be delivered by a certain time or date.
Passenger Operator: A company that only transports passengers.
Specialized Operator: A transport company that focuses on transporting certain goods.
Combination Service: A company that transports both cargo and passengers.
Impediment:
Read MoreEssential Shipping Terms: A Comprehensive Glossary
This glossary defines common shipping terms used in the international logistics and freight industry.
O/F (Ocean Freight)
The international shipping term used in the ocean freight industry means that the carrier is NOT responsible for the cost of loading and unloading goods onto/from the vessel.
RT (Revenue Ton)
A ton on which the shipment is freighted. If cargo is rated as weight or measure (W/M), whichever produces the highest revenue will be considered the revenue ton. Weights are based on metric
Commercial Road Transport: Company Operations & Contracts
Commercial Road Transport: Company Operations
Transport Company:
- Owns a vehicle fleet.
- The traffic department manages the main activity. Workers are organized.
- Depending on the market, export/return journey traffic, language, etc. are considered.
- It can “sell” freight that it cannot carry with its own vehicle fleet.
Commercialization of Road Transport: Auxiliary Activities
Transport Operator:
- Warehouse owner/Distributor: Keeps goods in its warehouse and performs activities of manipulation and order preparation.
International Trade: Payment Methods & Documents
International Payment Terms
- Cash in Advance: The exporter requests money from the customer before any shipment of goods takes place.
- Open Account: The exporter sends an invoice to the importer with the shipment and trusts the customer will pay.
- Letter of Credit (LC): Issued by a bank at the request of the importer, stating that the bank will pay money to a beneficiary (normally the exporter) upon presentation of specific documents. This involves trusting a third party.
- Documentary Collection: The exporter
International Trade Documents: Key Functions
Key Documents in International Trade
Banking Documents
- Banking Documents: Used for paying and getting paid.
- Bill of Exchange: The exporter completes a form instructing their bank to prepare a draft and send it to the importer’s bank.
- Cash in Advance: The importer sends a check or deposits funds into the exporter’s bank account.
- Letter of Credit: Must be completed by the importer and given to the opening bank.
Transportation Documents
- Transportation Documents: Used to keep track of merchandise.
- Packing List: