If the shipment mode is containerized then containers need to be booked.
Anyone can book the containers from directly liners or though freight forwarders. First you need to ask for the quotation for Ocean freight, THC (Terminal handling charges), BL release charges, Seal fixing charges etc. from liners or freight forwarders. Usually the currency of Ocean freight charges are in USD and remaining all charges are in local currency.
Once the charges are agreed exporter has to confirm liner/ freight forwarder to book containers (Size & no. of containers [depends upon nature of cargo & it's weight) also to be confirmed by exporter].
At the time of booking of containers exporter will provide necessary information to liner/carrier or forwarder how many containers, which size, POL (Port of loading) & POD (Port of discharge), based on these freight rate are finalized.
EX: 20' Containers (heavy weighted cargo e.g. Rice, pulses etc.) charges less than 40' containers(low weighted cargo e.g. cotton bales, coconut coir fibers etc.), per container maximum weight varies based on rules of different countries however it varies between 24 MT to 28 MT.
Once booking is placed on liner's website or through any software like Intra booking copy received, in booking copy everything used to be mentioned like POL, POD, targeted vessel, Vessel ETD (Estimated Time of Departure), ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) etc.
In ideal case Booking copy does not give you the commitment of confirmed space in that particular vessel, it may be changed as per availability of the slot in vessel, cancellation of the commenced vessel, delay in berthing, any technical problem etc.
Booking copy is required at the time of container pick up from empty container yard, the container which is picked up will be linked to the given booking no., shipping instructions will be submitted to carrier for that booking no. and the same details will be printed in Bill of lading which will be issued after departure of vessel, and booking no will also be linked to the Bill of loading.
Later the associated containers can be tracked on liner's/ carrier's website by Booking no/ Bill of lading no./ Container no.
In case of bulk shipments bulk vessel/ cargo ship has to be booked.
Exporter gets in contact with charter party, charter parties are like freight forwarders of containerized shipments.
Charter parties land the vessel from the vessel owner, load the cargo, perform the whole operation and issue BL to the exporter as per the information on Mate’s receipt once loading is completed.
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