Glossary
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Example H2
Supply Chain Glossary
ABC analysis
Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)
Agile supply chain
Air waybill (AWB)
Arrival notice
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
Backhauling
Backorder
Bay plan
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Blank sailing
Blind shipment
Bonded warehouse
Booking confirmation
Booking request
Break bulk cargo
Buffer stock
Bulk cargo
Bullwhip effect
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Capesize Ship
Cargo release
Cargo survey
Carrier
Carrier haulage
Carrier scorecard
Certificate of origin
Commercial invoice
Commodity
Consignee
Consignment inventory
Consignor
Container depot
Container discharge
Container freight station
Container grade
Container packing certificate
Container rollover
Container stripping
Container stuffing
Cross docking
Customs broker
Customs clearance
Customs manifest
Cut-off
Cycle counting
DAP (Delivered At Place)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)
DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded)
Dangerous goods declaration
Deadheading
Deadweight tonnage
Demurrage
Detention charges
Digital twin
Dimensional weight
Dock receipt
Draft (Draught)
Drayage
Drop shipping
Dry bulk cargo
EDI booking
EORI number
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
EXW (Ex Works)
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
Electronic Product Code (EPC)
Equipment
Equipment discharge / load report
Exception
Expedited freight
FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
FCA (Free carrier)
FCL Freight
FOB (Free on board)
Feeder operator
Feeder vessel
Feedermax Ship
Fill rate
Flags of Convenience
Fourth Party Logistics (4PL)
Free trade zone
Freight forwarding
Freight visibility
Full truckload (FTL) freight
GLEC framework
Gate-out
German Supply Chain Act
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Goods Receipt Note (GRN)
Green logistics
Handysize Vessel
Haulage equipment
Haulage requirements
Haulage type
Haulier
House Bill of Lading (HBL)
Hub and spoke model
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Carrier

What is a Shipping Carrier?

A shipping carrier is an organization that provides transportation services for goods. They manage the logistics of moving cargo, which includes loading, transporting, and delivering goods to the specified location. Shipping carriers handle various types of shipments, from small packages to large freight consignments, using different modes of transportation such as maritime, air, rail, and road.

Freight Forwarder vs. Carrier

A freight forwarder acts as an intermediary between the shipper and various transportation services. They do not transport goods themselves but arrange and coordinate the logistics, documentation, and compliance for shipping cargo. In contrast, a carrier owns and operates the transportation assets (ships, trucks, planes) and is directly responsible for moving the cargo from origin to destination.

What is a Common Carrier in Shipping?

A common carrier provides transportation services to the general public under license or authority provided by a regulatory body. They are obliged to offer their services to any customer under the same terms and conditions. Common carriers typically publish their schedules and rates, which are accessible to all potential customers.

Common Carriers vs. Contract Carriers

A common carrier offers transportation services to the general public and must adhere to published rates and schedules. In contrast, a contract carrier provides transportation services to specific clients based on individual contracts, which typically specify the terms, conditions, and rates for the transportation of goods.

Examples of common carriers include major shipping companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, which provide transportation services to the general public and adhere to published rates and schedules. In contrast, contract carriers include companies like Ryder and J.B. Hunt, which provide transportation services to specific clients based on individually negotiated contracts that outline the terms, conditions, and rates for transporting goods.