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The technique of using a container to store, protect and handle cargo while it is in transit. This shipping method has both greatly expedited the speed at which cargo is moved from origin to destination and lowered shipping costs. |
Related Terms |
LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD
A consignment of cargo which is inefficient to fill a shipping container. It is grouped with other consignments for the same destination in a container at a container freight station. |
LCL
A consignment of cargo which is insufficient to fill a shipping container. It is grouped with other consignments for the same destination in a container at a container freight station. |
CFS
Abbreviation for 'Container Freight Station.' A shipping dock where cargo is loaded ('stuffed') into or unloaded ('stripped') from containers. Generally, this involves less than containerload shipments, although small shipments destined to same consignee are often consolidated. Container reloading from/to rail or motor carrier equipment is a typical activity. These facilities can be located in container yards, or off dock. |
PLATFORM
A shipping container without sides, ends, or a roof. Normally 20 or 40 feet long, it is used for awkwardly shaped cargo that cannot fit on or in any other type of container. |
L.C.L.
Less than Container Load - that is inefficient to fill a shipping container. It is grouped with other consignments for the same destination at a container freight station. |
STUFFING
The process of packing a container with loose cargo prior to inland or ocean shipment. |
ON-CARRIER
Person or company who contracts to transport cargo from the port or place of discharge of a sea-going or ocean-going ship to another destination by a different means of transport, such as a feeder vessel, truck, train, or barge. |
CONTAINER MANIFEST
Document showing contents and loading sequence, point of origin, and point of destination for a container. Vessels are required by law to carry such a document for each container carried. |
CONSOLIDATOR
The person or firm that consolidates (combines) cargo from a number of shippers into a container that will deliver the goods to several buyers. |
DWAT
A common measure of ship carrying capacity. The number of tons (2240 lbs.) of cargo, stores and bunkers that a vessel can transport. It is the difference between the number of tons of water a vessel displaces 'light' and the number of tons it displaces 'when submerged to the 'deep load line'.' A vessel's cargo capacity is less than its total deadweight tonnage. The difference in weight between a vessel when it is fully loaded and when it is empty (in general transportation terms, the net) measured by the water it displaces. This is the most common, and useful, measurement for shipping as it measures cargo capacity. |
