A vessel call sign is a unique identifier assigned to a ship for radio communication purposes. It is used to distinguish the vessel from others in maritime communication systems, including VHF radios and satellite communications.
A vessel omission (sometimes called a port omission) occurs when a scheduled vessel does not call at a planned port during its voyage. This disruption means that the vessel skips the port entirely, which can impact the transportation and delivery schedules of goods.
In cargo shipping, vessel rotation is the planned sequence of port calls that a shipping vessel follows on its route to optimize cargo loading and unloading operations.
The timetable of departure and arrival times for each port call on the rotation of the vessel in question.
A journey by sea from one port or country to another one or, in case of a round trip, to the same port.
Warehouse utilization is a logistics metric that refers to the effective use of available warehouse space for storing goods and inventory.
Order for specific transportation work carried out by a third party provider on behalf of the issuing party.
Logistics yard management refers to the process of overseeing and controlling the movement of trucks, trailers, containers, and other vehicles within a yard or distribution center. This includes tasks such as scheduling, tracking, and coordinating the arrival, departure, and storage of these vehicles.
Master Bill of Lading (MBL)
What is a Master Bill of Lading?
A Master Bill of Lading (MBL) is a transportation document issued by the ocean carrier or its agent to acknowledge receipt of goods for shipment. It serves as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the ocean carrier, detailing the terms and conditions of transportation, including the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being shipped. The MBL also acts as a receipt for the cargo and serves as a title document, allowing the consignee to claim ownership of the goods upon arrival at the destination port.
Who issues a Master Bill of Lading?
A Master Bill of Lading is issued by the ocean carrier. The carrier assumes responsibility for transporting the cargo from the port of origin to the port of destination, and the MBL serves as a legal document outlining the terms of this transportation agreement.
What’s the difference between a Master and House Bill of Lading?
The main difference between a Master Bill of Lading and a House Bill of Lading lies in who issues them and their roles in the shipment process. While the MBL is issued by the ocean carrier and covers the entire shipment, the House Bill of Lading (HBL) is issued by a freight forwarder or NVOCC and covers only a portion of the shipment, typically for consolidated or smaller cargo. The MBL acts as the primary contract of carriage, while the HBL serves as a supplementary document for individual shipments within a consolidated container.