There are quite many concepts in marine transportation that tend to sound more like names from some cartoon. Meanings of these concepts often tend be unclear to consigners and consignees.

Listed below you can find a bunch of concepts with explanations given by us. We are constantly adding to the list.

Containerized goods – goods that have been loaded into a container for marine transportation

RO-RO goods (roll on/roll off) – self-movable items (cars, buses, trailers, tractors, container trucks etc.)

STO-RO goods (storage/roll) – the goods are loaded onto the ship on wheels but held on deck elsewhere by itself

LO-LO goods (lift on/lift off) – the goods are on and offloaded onto the ship by using equipment for vertical lifting, such as a crane

RO-LO goods – some parts of the on and offloading are done by the goods itself by using their own wheels and some are done by using cranes at the harbor

Waybill – document that indicates the value of the goods. With this document the carrier admits to obtaining the goods for transportation and is obliged to transport the goods from the departure harbor to the destination harbor in a way shown in the document, also to consign the goods to the one presenting the waybill or to who is entitled to the goods according to the waybill

B/L (Bill of Lading) – issuer of this document is obliged to carry out the marine transportation. Given document proves the right according to the goods. Also, this document acts as a proof that the goods have been accepted for marine transportation

FIOS /free in and out and stowed) – the shipping line’s price for the transportation that includes marine transportation, starting from the departure harbor until the port of destination. On and offloading expenses must be paid separately by the consigner of the goods

FILO (free in/liner out) – On loading expenses of the goods are covered by the consigner but offloading expenses are covered by the shipping line

LIFO (liner in/free out) – On loading expenses of the goods are covered by the shipping line and offloading expenses by the consigner

LILO (liner in/liner out) – both on and offloading expenses of the goods are covered by the shipping line

CY-CY (container yard) – cites that the price offer for marine transportation includes loading and storage services of the goods within container yard

DOOR to DOOR – door to door marine transportation

CFS-CFS (container freight station) – cites that marine transportation will be held from departure container terminal to destination container terminal

THC (terminal handling charge) – terminal fees

CAF (currency adjustment factor) – additional fees bayed due to currency risks

BAF (bunker adjustment factor) – additional fees paid for the fuel price

LCL (less than container load) – indicates partly load. Consigner has booked only a part out of full a container

FCL (full container load) – full container. Consigner has booked the entire container for the marine transportation

Liquid load – crude oil, fuel, water etc.

Dry bulk cargo – coal, grain etc.

Parceled goods –  indicates that the goods have been packed for the marine transportation

Detached goods – wood, liquid load etc.

MAF trailer – a special platform like trailer which is used on harbor territory to move containers and other goods that do not have their own rollers

If any concepts when requesting for marine transportation are unclear, you are welcome to ask about them from us. We will gladly answer your questions because marine transportation is something we do on a daily basis.