A trade lane (or trade route) refers to a specific pathway along which goods are transported between two or more locations, typically across international borders. Trade lanes are established based on the flow of goods and the economic relationships between countries or regions. They encompass both maritime and air routes and play a crucial role in global supply chains by facilitating the movement of goods and fostering international trade.
Transit time refers to the duration it takes for goods or shipments to travel from their origin to their destination. It is a crucial metric in supply chain and logistics management, as it directly impacts delivery schedules, inventory levels, and customer satisfaction. Transit time encompasses the entire journey of a shipment, including transportation, handling, and processing at various checkpoints along the route.
Transloading refers to the process of transferring goods or cargo from one mode of transportation to another, typically from one type of truck or railcar to another, or from rail to truck and vice versa. This logistical practice is often employed to optimize transportation routes, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency in supply chain operations.
A Transportation Management System (TMS) is a specialized software solution designed to streamline and optimize transportation and logistics operations within supply chains. It provides functionalities to effectively manage and control the movement of goods from origin to destination.
Transportation lead time refers to the duration it takes for goods to be transported from the point of origin to the final destination. It encompasses the time required for transportation activities, including loading, transit, and unloading, across various modes of transport such as road, rail, air, or sea.
A transshipment is the process of transferring goods from one transportation vehicle or vessel to another during their journey from origin to destination. It typically occurs at intermediary points along the supply chain route, where cargo is transferred between different modes of transportation, carriers or vessels.
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) is a standard unit of measurement used in the shipping industry to quantify the cargo-carrying capacity of container vessels. It represents the volume of a standard twenty-foot-long shipping container.
An Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) is a massive container ship used on major trade routes, capable of carrying over 14,000 TEUs.
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is a supply chain management strategy where the supplier or vendor takes responsibility for managing the inventory levels of their products at the customer's or retailer's location. In this arrangement, the vendor monitors the inventory levels based on agreed-upon criteria such as sales data or inventory levels, and initiates replenishment as needed.
Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is a term used in the shipping industry to refer to the total weight of a packed container, including its contents and packaging materials. It is a crucial requirement mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention to enhance safety in maritime transportation.
A floating structure with its own mode of propulsion designed for the transport of cargo and/or passengers. In the Industry Blueprint 1.0 "Vessel" is used synonymously with "Container vessel", hence a vessel with the primary function of transporting containers.
A vessel sharing agreement (VSA) is a cooperative arrangement between shipping companies that allows them to share space and resources on vessels for specific routes.
Vessel bunching refers to the situation where multiple vessels arrive at a port simultaneously or within a short period, leading to congestion and delays. This clustering of vessels can overwhelm port facilities, causing extended wait times for berthing, loading, and unloading operations.
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.
Five Major Container Ports in the UK
The UK's ports are vital links in global supply chains, supporting both import and export activities and serving as crucial gateways for trade.
1. Port of Felixstowe (GBFXT)
As the largest container port in the UK and tenth busiest port in Europe, the Port of Felixstowe handles nearly half of the nation's container traffic, making it essential for trade.
- Location: Located in the eastern part of England, near the town of Felixstowe in Suffolk, this port sits on the North Sea and provides deep-water access for large vessels.
- Annual Container Throughput: 3.3 million TEU in 2023 (Lloyd's List).
- Key Commodities: Consumer goods, machinery, food.
2. Port of Southampton (GBSOU)
The Port of Southampton is a major gateway for UK imports, particularly from Asia, and plays a crucial role in passenger ferry services.
- Location: Situated on the southern coast of England, near the city of Southampton, the port is located on the Solent, which separates the mainland from the Isle of Wight.
- Annual Container Throughput: 1.8 million TEU in 2023 (Lloyd's List).
- Annual Dry Bulk Cargo Volume: 1.3 million tons in 2021 (Logistics Manager)
- Key Commodities: Vehicles, consumer goods, food products.
3. Port of London (GBLON)
The Port of London, with its rich history, remains an important trading hub with extensive connections to Europe and the global market.
- Location: Located in southeastern England along the River Thames, the port spans several boroughs, including Greenwich and Tower Hamlets, and is a vital part of London's economy.
- Annual Container Throughput: 3.2 million TEU in 2023 (Lloyd's List).
- Annual Cargo Volume: 51.6 million tons in 2023, including containerized cargo (Port of London Authority)
- Key Commodities: Oil, grain, building materials.
4. Port of Liverpool (GBLIV)
The Port of Liverpool is crucial for trade with the Americas and Ireland, historically serving as a key gateway for transatlantic shipping.
- Location: Situated in northwestern England, the port is located on the Mersey River, close to the city of Liverpool, and connects to the Irish Sea.
- Annual Container Throughput: 900,000 TEU (Brookes Bell).
- Key Commodities: Chemicals, textiles, foodstuffs.
5. Port of Immingham (GBIMM)
The Port of Immingham is the UK's largest port by tonnage, handling significant volumes of both bulk and container cargo.
- Location: Located in North East Lincolnshire on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, the port serves as a key industrial hub for the region.
- Annual Cargo Volume: 46 million metric tons of cargo annually (Associated British Ports).
- Key Commodities: Petroleum, coal, metals.