Your guide to shipping & logistics terms
Understand the terms used in freight quotations, shipping documents and cargo tracking, with practical explanations to support clear communication.
Routes & schedules
The port where cargo is loaded onto the vessel.
The port where cargo is unloaded from the vessel.
The origin and destination ports that define a shipping route.
The expected arrival date and time.
The expected departure date and time.
The recorded date and time of arrival.
The recorded date and time of departure.
The time taken to move cargo between agreed origin and destination points.
Cargo travels to its destination on the same vessel, without transshipment. Intermediate port calls may still occur.
Cargo is transferred to another vessel at an intermediate port.
Transport from the collection point to the departure port or terminal.
Transport from the arrival port or terminal to the final delivery point.
The order in which a vessel calls at ports on its route.
An intermodal route combining a sea leg with inland rail or road transport.
Loads & equipment
A container booked for a single shipment, without sharing space with unrelated cargo.
Smaller shipments consolidated with other cargo in one container.
A truck or trailer dedicated to one shipment.
Smaller freight shipments sharing truck capacity.
A capacity measure equal to one standard 20-foot container.
An aircraft container or pallet used to group cargo for loading.
Vehicles equipped for the operating requirements of oil, gas and chemical sites.
Freight charges
An adjustment to freight charges reflecting exchange-rate movements.
A surcharge reflecting fuel costs, commonly shown in air freight quotations.
A surcharge for security measures, commonly applied to air cargo.
Shipping documents
The air transport document identifying the shipment and recording carriage details.
A document issued for sea carriage acknowledging receipt of cargo and recording the shipment details.
A standard consignment note used for international road carriage under the CMR framework.
Parties to a shipment
The person or business that owns the goods.
The party identified as the sender in the transport document.
The party named to receive the cargo.
The party to be notified of cargo arrival, as stated in the shipping document.
The business shipping its own goods rather than acting as a transport intermediary.
A carrier that offers ocean transport and issues its own bills of lading without operating vessels.
A service provider that arranges cargo transport and related logistics on behalf of the customer.
An agent who handles customs clearance formalities on behalf of the importer or exporter.
Terminology reference: DHL Freight Shipping Glossary
