Knowledge graph

The container industry, defined

A living glossary of container shipping — ISO 6346 type codes, carriers and lessors, Incoterms and transport documents, ports, lanes and chokepoints, EDIFACT messages, landside operations and more. Every term is drawn from UnitCheck’s canonical knowledge graph, the same sourced, license-aware source that grounds our site assistant.

821 terms across 12 layers · generated 2026-06-14

GENESIS & STANDARDS46 terms

ISO 6346ISO Standard: Container coding, identification & marking
ISO 668ISO Standard: Series 1 freight containers — classification, external/internal dimensions and ratings.
CSCConvention: Convention for Safe Containers
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Standards Body: Publishes the container standards family, including ISO 668 (dimensions) and ISO 6346 (coding & marking). · Switzerland
ISO 1496 (series)ISO Standard: Specification and testing of series 1 containers (general-cargo, thermal, tank, dry-bulk, platform).
Decarbonization & green shippingSustainability Concept: The vocabulary of shipping’s energy transition. Definitions only — regulatory instruments named without limits, rating bands or compliance obligations.
DNVClassification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · Norway
ISO 1161ISO Standard: Corner and intermediate fittings — specification of the cast corner blocks.
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · United States
Bureau Veritas (BV)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · France
ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · Japan
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)Standards Body: The umbrella body of the major classification societies. · United Kingdom
International Maritime Organization (IMO)Standards Body: The UN agency for the safety and standardisation of international shipping (named here as a reference body only). · United Kingdom
ISO 3874ISO Standard: Series 1 freight containers — handling and securing.
ISO 9897ISO Standard: Container equipment data exchange (CEDEX) — the data-exchange code definitions.
Lloyd's Register (LR)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · United Kingdom
Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)Sustainability Concept: An IMO measure that rates a ship’s operational carbon intensity — how much CO₂ it emits for the transport work it does. Named here as a reference instrument only.
China Classification Society (CCS)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · China
Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA)Standards Body: Carrier-founded body developing open digital standards for container shipping (e.g. the electronic bill of lading). · Netherlands
IMO sulphur capSustainability Concept: An IMO limit on the sulphur content of marine fuel oil, in force worldwide since 2020, that pushed ships toward low-sulphur fuels or exhaust cleaning. Named here as a reference instrument only.
Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL)Standards Body: The trade body of container lessors; publishes widely-used container inspection and repair standards. · United States
Methanol as marine fuelSustainability Concept: Methanol used as a ship fuel — easier to handle than some alternatives and, when made from renewable sources, a route to low-carbon shipping. A growing share of new container-ship orders are methanol-capable.
Slow steamingSustainability Concept: Operating a ship at a reduced speed to cut fuel burn and emissions — a widely-used lever, since fuel use rises sharply with speed.
BIMCOStandards Body: The largest international shipping association; publisher of widely-used standard contracts and charter parties. · Denmark
EU ETS (shipping)Sustainability Concept: The European Union’s cap-and-trade emissions scheme, extended to maritime shipping, under which operators surrender allowances for their emissions. Named here as a reference instrument only.
Green shipping corridorSustainability Concept: A specific route between ports where zero- and low-emission shipping is developed and demonstrated, with the fuels, vessels and infrastructure aligned end to end.
ISO 830ISO Standard: Freight containers — vocabulary (the standard terminology).
LNG as marine fuelSustainability Concept: Liquefied natural gas used to power ships — a lower-emission alternative to conventional fuel oil, with a growing dual-fuel fleet and bunkering network.
Shore power (cold ironing)Sustainability Concept: Supplying a berthed ship with electricity from the shore so it can switch off its auxiliary engines, cutting emissions and noise while in port.
SMDGStandards Body: User group that maintains EDIFACT message implementation guides and the SMDG terminal/liner code lists. · Netherlands
Ammonia as marine fuelSustainability Concept: Ammonia as a carbon-free ship fuel candidate — it contains no carbon, though it brings toxicity and handling challenges still being worked through.
Container Owners Association (COA)Standards Body: Association of container owners and operators covering tank, reefer and dry equipment matters. · United Kingdom
DNV 2.7-1ISO Standard: Offshore containers — the standard for containers handled in the offshore lifting environment.
Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)Sustainability Concept: An IMO index describing the design energy efficiency of an existing ship. Named here as a reference instrument only.
ISO 10374ISO Standard: Freight containers — automatic identification (RF tagging).
ISO 17712ISO Standard: Freight containers — mechanical seals (named as a reference standard only).
Korean Register (KR)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · South Korea
RINAClassification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · Italy
Scrubber (exhaust gas cleaning)Sustainability Concept: An exhaust-gas cleaning system that removes sulphur oxides from a ship’s engine exhaust, letting it keep using higher-sulphur fuel while meeting sulphur limits.
World Shipping Council (WSC)Standards Body: Policy and advocacy body representing the major liner carriers. · United States
Ballast water managementSustainability Concept: Treating a ship’s ballast water so it does not transfer invasive aquatic species between regions, under the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. Named here as a reference instrument only.
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · India
ISO 18185 (series)ISO Standard: Freight containers — electronic seals (named as a reference standard only).
Marine biofuelSustainability Concept: Fuels derived from biological sources, often blended with conventional fuel oil, used to cut a voyage’s lifecycle carbon without changing the engine.
Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · Croatia
Polish Register of Shipping (PRS)Classification Society: Classification society — certifies ships and offshore equipment to its rules · Poland

BOX ANATOMY30 terms

Corner casting (corner fitting)Box Component: The eight cast-steel corner blocks with the standardised apertures that take twistlocks and lifting gear.
Corner postBox Component: The vertical structural columns at the four corners; they carry the stacking load.
Door (door leaves)Box Component: The pair of hinged door leaves at the rear of the box.
Reefer machinery unitBox Component: The integral refrigeration unit set into the front wall of a reefer.
Side panel (corrugated wall)Box Component: The corrugated steel side walls that give the box its rigidity.
Side rails (top & bottom)Box Component: The longitudinal top and bottom rails running along each side of the box.
Cross memberBox Component: The transverse beams under the floor that support the floorboards.
CSC safety-approval plateBox Component: The plate certifying the box is structurally approved under the Convention for Safe Containers.
Door gasket (seal)Box Component: The weather seal around the door perimeter.
Floor (floorboards)Box Component: The plywood or bamboo floorboards laid across the cross members.
Roof panelBox Component: The corrugated roof sheet.
Tank shellBox Component: The cylindrical pressure vessel of an ISO tank container.
Front wallBox Component: The fixed corrugated end wall opposite the doors.
Gooseneck tunnelBox Component: The recess along the underside of a 40-ft box that seats on a gooseneck chassis.
Locking bar (cam rod)Box Component: The vertical door locking bars that rotate to engage the cams.
T-bar floor (reefer)Box Component: The aluminium T-section floor of a reefer that channels chilled air under the cargo.
Tank frameBox Component: The ISO-dimensioned frame that carries a tank so it handles like a box.
UnderstructureBox Component: The bottom frame assembly of rails and cross members.
Collapsible end wall (flat rack)Box Component: The folding end stanchions of a collapsible flat rack.
Consolidated data plateBox Component: The combined plate carrying the container's identification and approval data.
Door sill (threshold)Box Component: The bottom transverse rail beneath the doors.
Forklift pocketBox Component: Tunnels through the base of a 20-ft box for fork-tine handling.
Front top end rail (header)Box Component: The transverse top rail across the closed front end.
Lashing ring (securing point)Box Component: Cargo-securing D-rings on the rails and corner posts.
VentilatorBox Component: Passive vents that let a dry van breathe to limit condensation.
Cam & keeperBox Component: The cam on the locking bar and the keeper it rotates into.
Door handleBox Component: The handle and retainer that turn the locking bars.
Door hingeBox Component: The hinge blades and pins on which the doors swing.
Lock boxBox Component: A steel housing welded over the right-door handle to protect a padlock.
Manlid (manhole cover)Box Component: The top access cover of a tank container.

EQUIPMENT TYPES186 terms

Dry van (general purpose)Equipment Family: The standard closed steel box for general cargo — the workhorse of the fleet.
22B0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — closed box type
22G1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" general purpose — passive top vents
22R1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" refrigerated — refrigerated and heated
22T1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — non-dangerous liquids, 1.5 bar
22U1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open ends, removable top members
22V0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" ventilated — non-mechanical vents, upper & lower
42G1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" general purpose — passive top vents
42P3Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — folding complete end structure
42U1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open ends, removable top members
45G1Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" general purpose — passive top vents
45R1Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" refrigerated — refrigerated and heated
High cubeEquipment Family: A container one foot taller than standard (9'6" vs 8'6") for greater internal volume.
L5G1Size Type Code: 45' × 9'6" general purpose — passive top vents
Reefer (refrigerated)Equipment Family: An integrally-refrigerated container with a machinery unit that holds a set-point temperature.
ISO tank containerEquipment Family: A cylindrical pressure vessel in an ISO frame for bulk liquids, gases and powders.
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)Measurement Unit: The standard unit of container capacity — one 20-foot container equals one TEU. Fleet, ship and terminal capacities are all counted in TEU.
Flat rackEquipment Family: A platform with collapsible or fixed end walls for out-of-gauge, heavy or oddly-shaped cargo.
FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit)Measurement Unit: A 40-foot container, counted as two TEU. Much of the dry fleet is 40-foot high-cube boxes.
Open topEquipment Family: A box with a removable tarpaulin or hard roof for top-loading over-height cargo.
53' domestic containerEquipment Family: The 53-foot intermodal box used in North American domestic (road/rail) service.
Controlled-atmosphere reeferEquipment Family: A reefer that also regulates the oxygen/CO2 mix to extend the life of fresh produce.
PlatformEquipment Family: A bare load-bearing floor with corner fittings and no walls, for very heavy or wide loads.
10G0Size Type Code: 10' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
10G1Size Type Code: 10' × 8'0" general purpose — passive top vents
10G2Size Type Code: 10' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
10G3Size Type Code: 10' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
20B0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — closed box type
20B1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — airtight
20B3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — horizontal pressure discharge
20B4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — horizontal pressure discharge, test rated
20B5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — tipping discharge
20B6Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" dry bulk — tipping discharge, pressurized
20G0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
20G1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" general purpose — passive top vents
20G2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
20G3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
20R0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" refrigerated — mechanically refrigerated
20R1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" refrigerated — refrigerated and heated
20R2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated
20R3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated & heated
20T0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — non-dangerous liquids, minimum pressure
20T1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — non-dangerous liquids, 1.5 bar
20T2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — non-dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar
20T3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — dangerous liquids, 1.5 bar
20T4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar
20T5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — dangerous liquids, 4 bar
20T6Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — dangerous liquids, 6 bar
20T7Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — gases, 9.1 bar
20T8Size Type Code: 20' × 8'0" tank — gases, 22 bar
22A0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" air / surface — air–surface intermodal unit
22B1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — airtight
22B3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — horizontal pressure discharge
22B4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — horizontal pressure discharge, test rated
22B5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — tipping discharge
22B6Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" dry bulk — tipping discharge, pressurized
22G0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
22G2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
22G3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
22H0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, external removable equipment
22H1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, internal removable equipment
22H2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated, heavy spec
22H5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated
22H6Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated, light spec
22P0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — plain platform
22P1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — two complete fixed ends
22P2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — fixed posts
22P3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — folding complete end structure
22P4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — folding posts
22P5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" platform / flat — skeletal — open top and ends
22R0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" refrigerated — mechanically refrigerated
22R2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated
22R3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated & heated
22S0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" named cargo — livestock carrier
22S1Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" named cargo — automobile carrier
22S2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" named cargo — live fish carrier
22T0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — non-dangerous liquids, minimum pressure
22T2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — non-dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar
22T3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — dangerous liquids, 1.5 bar
22T4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — dangerous liquids, 2.65 bar
22T5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — dangerous liquids, 4 bar
22T6Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — dangerous liquids, 6 bar
22T7Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — gases, 9.1 bar
22T8Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" tank — gases, 22 bar
22U0Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open ends
22U2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open sides
22U3Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open sides, removable members
22U4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open ends & sides, removable members
22U5Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" open top — open top, fixed walls
22V2Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" ventilated — internal mechanical ventilation
22V4Size Type Code: 20' × 8'6" ventilated — external mechanical ventilation
25G0Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
25G1Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" general purpose — passive top vents
25G2Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
25G3Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
25P0Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — plain platform
25P1Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — two complete fixed ends
25P2Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — fixed posts
25P3Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — folding complete end structure
25P4Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — folding posts
25P5Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" platform / flat — skeletal — open top and ends
25R0Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" refrigerated — mechanically refrigerated
25R1Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" refrigerated — refrigerated and heated
25R2Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated
25R3Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated & heated
25U0Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open ends
25U1Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open ends, removable top members
25U2Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open sides
25U3Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open sides, removable members
25U4Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open ends & sides, removable members
25U5Size Type Code: 20' × 9'6" open top — open top, fixed walls
32G0Size Type Code: 30' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
32G1Size Type Code: 30' × 8'6" general purpose — passive top vents
32G2Size Type Code: 30' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
32G3Size Type Code: 30' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
40G0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
40G1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'0" general purpose — passive top vents
40G2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
40G3Size Type Code: 40' × 8'0" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
42A0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" air / surface — air–surface intermodal unit
42G0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
42G2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
42G3Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
42H0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, external removable equipment
42H1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, internal removable equipment
42H2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated, heavy spec
42H5Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated
42H6Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" insulated / heated — insulated, light spec
42P0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — plain platform
42P1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — two complete fixed ends
42P2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — fixed posts
42P4Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — folding posts
42P5Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" platform / flat — skeletal — open top and ends
42R0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" refrigerated — mechanically refrigerated
42R1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" refrigerated — refrigerated and heated
42R2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated
42R3Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated & heated
42S0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" named cargo — livestock carrier
42S1Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" named cargo — automobile carrier
42S2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" named cargo — live fish carrier
42U0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open ends
42U2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open sides
42U3Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open sides, removable members
42U4Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open ends & sides, removable members
42U5Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" open top — open top, fixed walls
42V0Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" ventilated — non-mechanical vents, upper & lower
42V2Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" ventilated — internal mechanical ventilation
42V4Size Type Code: 40' × 8'6" ventilated — external mechanical ventilation
45G0Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
45G2Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
45G3Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
45H0Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, external removable equipment
45H1Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" insulated / heated — refrigerated/heated, internal removable equipment
45H2Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" insulated / heated — insulated, heavy spec
45H5Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" insulated / heated — insulated
45H6Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" insulated / heated — insulated, light spec
45P0Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — plain platform
45P1Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — two complete fixed ends
45P2Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — fixed posts
45P3Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — folding complete end structure
45P4Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — folding posts
45P5Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" platform / flat — skeletal — open top and ends
45R0Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" refrigerated — mechanically refrigerated
45R2Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated
45R3Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" refrigerated — self-powered refrigerated & heated
45U0Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open ends
45U1Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open ends, removable top members
45U2Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open sides
45U3Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open sides, removable members
45U4Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open ends & sides, removable members
45U5Size Type Code: 40' × 9'6" open top — open top, fixed walls
Dry bulkEquipment Family: A box with top loading hatches and bottom discharge for free-flowing dry bulk such as grain or resin.
L2G0Size Type Code: 45' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
L2G1Size Type Code: 45' × 8'6" general purpose — passive top vents
L2G2Size Type Code: 45' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
L2G3Size Type Code: 45' × 8'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
L5G0Size Type Code: 45' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both ends
L5G2Size Type Code: 45' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at one or both sides
L5G3Size Type Code: 45' × 9'6" general purpose — openings at ends and sides
Offshore containerEquipment Family: A heavily-built container certified for the offshore lifting environment (e.g. to DNV 2.7-1).
Pallet-wideEquipment Family: A box widened internally to take two Euro pallets side by side, common in intra-European trades.
VentilatedEquipment Family: A box with passive or active ventilation, classically used for coffee and cocoa.
Hard topEquipment Family: An open-top variant with a removable steel roof for top loading and over-height cargo.
Insulated / portholeEquipment Family: An insulated box cooled by an external (clip-on or terminal) air supply rather than its own unit.
Open sideEquipment Family: A box with full-length side doors for loads that must be handled from the side.
Garment container (garmentainer)Equipment Family: A box fitted with bars to ship hanging garments without folding.

BUILD & SUPPLY9 terms

CIMCManufacturer: Dry containers · China
Carrier TransicoldManufacturer: Reefer machinery · United States
Dong Fang International ContainerManufacturer: Dry containers · China
Thermo KingManufacturer: Reefer machinery · United States
Singamas Container HoldingsManufacturer: Dry containers · Hong Kong
Daikin ReeferManufacturer: Reefer machinery · Japan
Star CoolManufacturer: Reefer machinery · Denmark
Welfit OddyManufacturer: Tank containers · South Africa
CXIC GroupManufacturer: Dry containers · China

CARRIERS & LESSORS57 terms

MaerskOcean Carrier: global · Copenhagen · Denmark
MSCOcean Carrier: global · Geneva · Switzerland
CMA CGMOcean Carrier: global · Marseille · France
COSCO Shipping LinesOcean Carrier: global · Shanghai · China
Hapag-LloydOcean Carrier: global · Hamburg · Germany
DP WorldTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
Evergreen MarineOcean Carrier: global · Taoyuan · Taiwan
Gemini CooperationCarrier Alliance: 2025 · Maersk + Hapag-Lloyd · Vessel-sharing agreement
Ocean AllianceCarrier Alliance: 2025 · CMA CGM + COSCO + Evergreen + OOCL · Vessel-sharing agreement
Ocean Network Express (ONE)Ocean Carrier: global · Singapore · Singapore
PSA InternationalTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Singapore · Singapore
APM TerminalsTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · The Hague · Netherlands
HMMOcean Carrier: global · Seoul · South Korea
Hutchison PortsTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Hong Kong
Premier AllianceCarrier Alliance: 2025 · ONE + HMM + Yang Ming · Vessel-sharing agreement
Triton InternationalContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Hamilton · Bermuda
Yang Ming Marine TransportOcean Carrier: global · Keelung · Taiwan
COSCO Shipping PortsTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Hong Kong
OOCLOcean Carrier: global · Hong Kong
TextainerContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Hamilton · Bermuda
ZIM Integrated Shipping ServicesOcean Carrier: global · Haifa · Israel
FlorensContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Hong Kong
Terminal Investment Limited (TiL)Terminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Geneva · Switzerland
ICTSITerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Manila · Philippines
Pacific International Lines (PIL)Ocean Carrier: regional · Singapore · Singapore
Wan Hai LinesOcean Carrier: intra-asia · Taipei · Taiwan
Adani Ports & SEZTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Ahmedabad · India
Beacon Intermodal LeasingContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Boston · United States
China Merchants PortTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Hong Kong
Hamburg SüdOcean Carrier: regional · Hamburg · Germany
MatsonOcean Carrier: regional · Honolulu · United States
SeacoContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Singapore
SeaCube Container LeasingContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Park Ridge, NJ · United States
SITC InternationalOcean Carrier: intra-asia · Hong Kong
X-Press FeedersOcean Carrier: feeder · Singapore · Singapore
APLOcean Carrier: regional
DCLIChassis Pool: Chassis pool / leasing provider · Charlotte · United States
EurogateTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Bremen · Germany
Grimaldi GroupOcean Carrier: regional · Naples · Italy
KMTCOcean Carrier: intra-asia · Seoul · South Korea
SSA MarineTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Seattle · United States
TRAC IntermodalChassis Pool: Chassis pool / leasing provider · Princeton · United States
UnifeederOcean Carrier: feeder · Aarhus · Denmark
Arkas LineOcean Carrier: regional · Izmir · Turkey
HHLATerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Hamburg · Germany
Regional Container Lines (RCL)Ocean Carrier: intra-asia · Bangkok · Thailand
SealandOcean Carrier: regional
SM LineOcean Carrier: regional · Seoul · South Korea
TouaxContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Paris · France
TS LinesOcean Carrier: intra-asia
BSL ContainersContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Hong Kong
CNC LineOcean Carrier: intra-asia
Emirates Shipping LineOcean Carrier: regional · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
FlexiVan LeasingChassis Pool: Chassis pool / leasing provider · United States
Yilport HoldingTerminal Operator: Container terminal operator · Istanbul · Turkey
CARU ContainersContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Rotterdam · Netherlands
UES InternationalContainer Lessor: Marine container lessor · Hong Kong

PORTS, LANES & CHOKEPOINTS187 terms

ShanghaiSeaport: Shanghai · CNSHA · East Asia
SingaporeSeaport: Singapore · SGSIN · Southeast Asia
Los AngelesSeaport: Los Angeles · USLAX · North America West
Ningbo-ZhoushanSeaport: Ningbo-Zhoushan · CNNGB · East Asia
RotterdamSeaport: Rotterdam · NLRTM · North Europe
ShenzhenSeaport: Shenzhen · CNSZX · East Asia
Antwerp-BrugesSeaport: Antwerp-Bruges · BEANR · North Europe
Asia–Europe (Far East–North Europe/Med)Ocean Trade Lane: Suez-dependent headhaul lane; the Red Sea crisis pushed it around the Cape.
Bab-el-MandebMaritime Chokepoint: Red Sea southern gate; Houthi attacks from 2023 rerouted Asia–Europe traffic around the Cape. · Yemen/Djibouti/Eritrea
BusanSeaport: Busan · KRPUS · East Asia
Intra-AsiaOcean Trade Lane: The highest-frequency network of feeder and short-sea services within Asia.
Long BeachSeaport: Long Beach · USLGB · North America West
New York/New JerseySeaport: New York/New Jersey · USNYC · North America East
Panama CanalMaritime Chokepoint: Lock canal; transit draft is restricted during drought, capping vessel size and slots. · true · Panama
Strait of MalaccaMaritime Chokepoint: Carries a large share of Asia-bound trade; the Singapore hub sits at its eastern end. · Malaysia/Indonesia/Singapore · Malaccamax (~25m draft)
Suez CanalMaritime Chokepoint: Lockless sea-level canal linking the Med to the Red Sea; the Asia–Europe artery. · false · Egypt
Transpacific Eastbound (TPEB)Ocean Trade Lane: Asia → North America; the largest trade lane by value. East-coast all-water routings use Panama.
GuangzhouSeaport: Guangzhou · CNGGZ · East Asia
HamburgSeaport: Hamburg · DEHAM · North Europe
Hong KongSeaport: Hong Kong · HKHKG · East Asia
Jebel Ali (Dubai)Seaport: Jebel Ali (Dubai) · AEJEA · Middle East
QingdaoSeaport: Qingdao · CNQIN · East Asia
KaohsiungSeaport: Kaohsiung · TWKHH · East Asia
Port KlangSeaport: Port Klang · MYPKG · Southeast Asia
SantosSeaport: Santos · BRSSZ · South America East
SavannahSeaport: Savannah · USSAV · North America East
Tanger MedSeaport: Tanger Med · MAPTM · North Africa
Tanjung PelepasSeaport: Tanjung Pelepas · MYTPP · Southeast Asia
AlgecirasSeaport: Algeciras · ESALG · Mediterranean
ColomboSeaport: Colombo · LKCMB · South Asia
Liner trade & service networksLiner Concept: How scheduled container shipping is organised as a network of services, loops, hubs and feeders. Definitions only — no transit-time counts, reliability figures or rates.
MundraSeaport: Mundra · INMUN · South Asia
Nhava Sheva (JNPT)Seaport: Nhava Sheva (JNPT) · INNSA · South Asia
PiraeusSeaport: Piraeus · GRPIR · Mediterranean
Port SaidSeaport: Port Said · EGPSD · Mediterranean
TianjinSeaport: Tianjin · CNTXG · East Asia
ValenciaSeaport: Valencia · ESVLC · Mediterranean
XiamenSeaport: Xiamen · CNXMN · East Asia
BremerhavenSeaport: Bremerhaven · DEBRV · North Europe
CartagenaSeaport: Cartagena · COCTG · South America
China–Europe Railway ExpressRail Corridor: Block-train rail freight services carrying containers between China and Europe across Central Asia.
Ho Chi Minh CitySeaport: Ho Chi Minh City · VNSGN · Southeast Asia
HoustonSeaport: Houston · USHOU · North America Gulf
Jakarta (Tanjung Priok)Seaport: Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) · IDJKT · Southeast Asia
JeddahSeaport: Jeddah · SAJED · Middle East
Laem ChabangSeaport: Laem Chabang · THLCH · Southeast Asia
Liner serviceLiner Concept: A container service run on a fixed route to a published schedule, calling the same ports in the same order — open to any shipper, as opposed to a chartered voyage arranged for one cargo.
SalalahSeaport: Salalah · OMSLL · Middle East
TokyoSeaport: Tokyo · JPTYO · East Asia
VancouverSeaport: Vancouver · CAVAN · North America West
Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port)Seaport: Abu Dhabi (Khalifa Port) · AEAUH · Middle East
Asia–MediterraneanOcean Trade Lane: Far East to the Med via Suez; Tanger Med / Piraeus gateways.
Asia–Middle EastOcean Trade Lane: Far East to the Gulf; serves Jebel Ali and the regional hubs.
Balboa (Panama)Seaport: Balboa (Panama) · PABLB · Central America
BarcelonaSeaport: Barcelona · ESBCN · Mediterranean
CallaoSeaport: Callao · PECLL · South America West
Cape of Good HopeMaritime Chokepoint: The Suez bypass route; longer and costlier, used when the Red Sea is disrupted. · South Africa
CharlestonSeaport: Charleston · USCHS · North America East
DalianSeaport: Dalian · CNDLC · North China
Duisburg (Duisport)Inland Depot: The world's largest inland port; a Rhine logistics hub and a western terminus of China–Europe rail.
DurbanSeaport: Durban · ZADUR · Sub-Saharan Africa
FelixstoweSeaport: Felixstowe · GBFXT · North Europe
GdanskSeaport: Gdansk · PLGDN · North Europe
GenoaSeaport: Genoa · ITGOA · Mediterranean
Gioia TauroSeaport: Gioia Tauro · ITGIT · Mediterranean
Hamburg–Le Havre rangePort Range: The continuous run of major North-European container ports between Hamburg and Le Havre.
Hub-and-spokeLiner Concept: A network design that concentrates cargo through a few large hub ports and feeders it out to many smaller ports, rather than calling every port directly.
Indian Subcontinent–EuropeOcean Trade Lane: Nhava Sheva / Colombo to North Europe and the Med via Suez.
Le HavreSeaport: Le Havre · FRLEH · North Europe
London GatewaySeaport: London Gateway · GBLGP · North Europe
ManilaSeaport: Manila · PHMNL · Southeast Asia
ManzanilloSeaport: Manzanillo · MXZLO · North America West
Neo-Panamax (New Panamax)Vessel Class: A ship sized to the expanded Panama Canal locks opened in 2016.
Norfolk (Virginia)Seaport: Norfolk (Virginia) · USORF · North America East
OaklandSeaport: Oakland · USOAK · North America West
PanamaxVessel Class: The largest ship that fits the ORIGINAL Panama Canal locks — long the defining size for many trades.
San Pedro Bay (LA / Long Beach)Port Range: The adjacent ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — the largest container gateway in North America.
Seattle-TacomaSeaport: Seattle-Tacoma · USSEA · North America West
Service loop (string)Liner Concept: The round-trip set of port calls that a group of vessels rotates through on a service; enough ships are deployed so a vessel arrives at each port on a regular (often weekly) cadence.
Strait of GibraltarMaritime Chokepoint: Atlantic–Mediterranean gate; Algeciras and Tanger Med transhipment hubs sit here. · Spain/Morocco
Strait of HormuzMaritime Chokepoint: Persian Gulf gateway; primarily energy, relevant to Middle East container services. · Iran/Oman
Taiwan StraitMaritime Chokepoint: Major intra-Asia and northbound artery; geopolitically sensitive. · China/Taiwan
TransatlanticOcean Trade Lane: North America ↔ Europe; Med legs pass Gibraltar.
Transpacific Westbound (TPWB)Ocean Trade Lane: North America → Asia; the backhaul of the Transpacific.
Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV)Vessel Class: The largest class of container ships (also called megamax), deployed mainly on the Asia–Europe trade.
YokohamaSeaport: Yokohama · JPYOK · East Asia
Buenos AiresSeaport: Buenos Aires · ARBUE · South America East
Cai MepSeaport: Cai Mep · VNCMT · Southeast Asia
ChennaiSeaport: Chennai · INMAA · South Asia
ChittagongSeaport: Chittagong · BDCGP · South Asia
ConstantaSeaport: Constanta · ROCND · Black Sea
FeederVessel Class: A small container ship that distributes boxes from a hub port to smaller regional ports.
Feeder serviceLiner Concept: A short-sea service that connects a hub port to smaller regional ports, collecting and distributing the boxes that the mainline ships do not call directly.
GuayaquilSeaport: Guayaquil · ECGYE · South America West
GwangyangSeaport: Gwangyang · KRKAN · East Asia
HaiphongSeaport: Haiphong · VNHPH · Southeast Asia
IncheonSeaport: Incheon · KRINC · East Asia
KarachiSeaport: Karachi · PKKHI · South Asia
KingstonSeaport: Kingston · JMKIN · Caribbean
KobeSeaport: Kobe · JPUKB · East Asia
Lagos (Apapa/Lekki)Seaport: Lagos (Apapa/Lekki) · NGLOS · West Africa
Lazaro CardenasSeaport: Lazaro Cardenas · MXLZC · North America West
MarsaxlokkSeaport: Marsaxlokk · MTMAR · Mediterranean
MelbourneSeaport: Melbourne · AUMEL · Oceania
MontrealSeaport: Montreal · CAMTR · North America East
NagoyaSeaport: Nagoya · JPNGO · East Asia
Pearl River DeltaPort Range: The cluster of major South-China container ports around the Pearl River estuary.
Port rotationLiner Concept: The ordered sequence of ports a service calls on each loop — the backbone that determines transit times and connections.
Post-PanamaxVessel Class: A ship too large for the original Panama Canal locks.
Prince RupertSeaport: Prince Rupert · CAPRR · North America West
San AntonioSeaport: San Antonio · CLSAI · South America West
Schedule reliabilityLiner Concept: How closely a service’s vessels actually arrive on their advertised dates — a closely-watched measure of liner quality. (Definition only — no figures.)
SouthamptonSeaport: Southampton · GBSOU · North Europe
Sydney (Botany)Seaport: Sydney (Botany) · AUSYD · Oceania
Transhipment hubLiner Concept: A port where a large share of boxes are simply transferred between ships rather than entering the local hinterland — positioned at the crossing of major trades.
Transit timeLiner Concept: The scheduled time for cargo to travel from one port to another on a service. (Definition only — no figures.)
ZeebruggeSeaport: Zeebrugge · BEZEE · North Europe
AbidjanSeaport: Abidjan · CIABJ · West Africa
AshdodSeaport: Ashdod · ILASH · Mediterranean
BrisbaneSeaport: Brisbane · AUBNE · Oceania
BuenaventuraSeaport: Buenaventura · COBUN · South America West
CasablancaSeaport: Casablanca · MACAS · North Africa
CaucedoSeaport: Caucedo · DOCAU · Caribbean
DammamSeaport: Dammam · SADMM · Middle East
Dar es SalaamSeaport: Dar es Salaam · TZDAR · East Africa
DjiboutiSeaport: Djibouti · DJJIB · East Africa
FremantleSeaport: Fremantle · AUFRE · Oceania
Gateway portLiner Concept: A port that serves as the main sea entry and exit for a country or inland region — most of its boxes have an origin or destination in that hinterland.
GothenburgSeaport: Gothenburg · SEGOT · North Europe
HaifaSeaport: Haifa · ILHFA · Mediterranean
ICD TughlakabadInland Depot: A major inland container depot serving the Delhi region.
ItajaiSeaport: Itajai · BRITJ · South America East
KeelungSeaport: Keelung · TWKEL · East Asia
Khorgos GatewayInland Depot: A dry port on the China–Kazakhstan border where rail gauges change; a key China–Europe rail interchange.
KoperSeaport: Koper · SIKOP · Mediterranean
LianyungangSeaport: Lianyungang · CNLYG · East China
LomeSeaport: Lome · TGLFW · West Africa
MalaccamaxVessel Class: The largest ship that can pass through the Strait of Malacca, limited mainly by draft.
MersinSeaport: Mersin · TRMER · Mediterranean
MiamiSeaport: Miami · USMIA · North America East
MombasaSeaport: Mombasa · KEMBA · East Africa
North American double-stack intermodalRail Corridor: Double-stacked container trains linking the coastal ports to inland hubs such as Chicago.
OsakaSeaport: Osaka · JPOSA · East Asia
ParanaguaSeaport: Paranagua · BRPNG · South America East
Port QasimSeaport: Port Qasim · PKBQM · South Asia
SoharSeaport: Sohar · OMSOH · Middle East
SuezmaxVessel Class: The largest ship that can transit the Suez Canal fully laden.
Surabaya (Tanjung Perak)Seaport: Surabaya (Tanjung Perak) · IDSUB · Southeast Asia
TaurangaSeaport: Tauranga · NZTRG · Oceania
TemaSeaport: Tema · GHTEM · West Africa
TriesteSeaport: Trieste · ITTRS · Mediterranean
US East Coast rangePort Range: The principal Atlantic-seaboard container ports of the United States.
YingkouSeaport: Yingkou · CNYIK · North China
AucklandSeaport: Auckland · NZAKL · Oceania
Chongqing (rail origin)Inland Depot: A western-China megacity and an originating point of China–Europe rail services.
Cochin (Kochi)Seaport: Cochin (Kochi) · INCOK · South Asia
Common carrierLiner Concept: A carrier that offers transport to the general public on published terms and rates, accepting any lawful cargo within its scope — the legal footing of liner shipping.
Direct callLiner Concept: A service that calls a port directly on its rotation, so its cargo avoids the extra time and handling of a transhipment.
FeedermaxVessel Class: The larger end of the feeder class.
ICD DadriInland Depot: An inland container depot in the Delhi NCR, a hub on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
Indian Dedicated Freight CorridorsRail Corridor: Dedicated freight rail corridors (Eastern and Western) linking northern India to the western container ports.
JacksonvilleSeaport: Jacksonville · USJAX · North America East
MałaszewiczeInland Depot: A rail terminal complex at the EU eastern border, a major gauge-change gateway for China–Europe block trains.
MobileSeaport: Mobile · USMOB · North America Gulf
Ngqura (Coega)Seaport: Ngqura (Coega) · ZAZBA · Sub-Saharan Africa
North–South (Asia/Europe–Latin America)Ocean Trade Lane: Santos / Callao / Cartagena services; some route via Panama or the Cape Horn region.
PhiladelphiaSeaport: Philadelphia · USPHL · North America East
PipavavSeaport: Pipavav · INPAV · South Asia
Proforma scheduleLiner Concept: The planned long-range timetable for a service, against which actual arrivals are measured.
RelayLiner Concept: Transferring containers between two deep-sea mainline services at a hub (as distinct from feedering them onto a short-sea ship).
Trans-Caspian (Middle Corridor)Rail Corridor: A multimodal rail-and-sea container route between China and Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus.
Trans-Siberian land bridgeRail Corridor: A long-distance rail freight route spanning Eurasia between the Pacific and Europe.
Zhengzhou (rail hub)Inland Depot: A central-China rail and logistics hub and a major origin for China–Europe block trains.
BECountry: BE
Bosphorus / Turkish StraitsMaritime Chokepoint: Black Sea access; narrow, current-swept, traffic-separated. · Türkiye
CNCountry: CN
DECountry: DE
Dover StraitMaritime Chokepoint: The world's busiest seaway; the North Europe range funnels through it. · UK/France
Kiel CanalMaritime Chokepoint: Shortcut between the North Sea and the Baltic; feeders and short-sea. · Germany
Lombok StraitMaritime Chokepoint: Deep-draft alternative for the largest vessels bypassing Malacca. · Indonesia
Modjo Dry PortInland Depot: Ethiopia's principal dry port, the inland anchor of the Djibouti–Addis Ababa corridor.
NLCountry: NL
SGCountry: SG
Strait of MagellanMaritime Chokepoint: Southern tip of South America; relevant to some North–South services not using Panama. · Chile
Sunda StraitMaritime Chokepoint: Alternative to Malacca between Java and Sumatra. · Indonesia
USCountry: US
VenloInland Depot: A major Dutch inland logistics and intermodal terminal hub.

CARGO & STOWAGE17 terms

FCL (Full Container Load)Cargo Concept: A shipment that fills a whole container booked by a single shipper.
LCL (Less than Container Load)Cargo Concept: Cargo from several shippers consolidated together into one container.
Stowage plan (bayplan)Stowage Concept: The plan of where every container sits on a vessel by bay, row and tier — encoded in a BAPLIE message.
Bay / row / tierStowage Concept: The coordinate system that locates a container slot on a vessel: bay (along the ship), row (across), tier (height).
Consolidation (groupage)Cargo Concept: Combining several smaller LCL consignments into a single container for carriage.
Lashing & securingStowage Concept: The rods, turnbuckles and twistlocks that hold containers in place against ship motion at sea.
Out-of-gauge (OOG)Cargo Concept: Cargo that exceeds the internal dimensions of a standard box and needs an open-top, flat-rack or platform.
Reefer cargo (cold chain)Cargo Concept: Temperature-controlled cargo carried in refrigerated containers under an unbroken cold chain.
BreakbulkCargo Concept: Non-containerised general cargo loaded and handled piece by piece rather than in a box.
Dangerous goods (DG)Cargo Concept: Cargo that is regulated for safe carriage and moved under the IMDG Code (named here as a neutral concept only).
Heavy-lift / project cargoCargo Concept: Oversized or very heavy, often indivisible cargo that needs special equipment and planning.
Reefer set-pointCargo Concept: The target temperature programmed into a reefer unit for its cargo.
Stripping (devanning)Cargo Concept: Unloading cargo from a container.
StuffingCargo Concept: Loading cargo into a container.
TwistlockStowage Concept: The fitting that locks stacked containers to each other and to the ship or chassis through the corner castings.
DunnageStowage Concept: Packing and bracing material used to secure and protect cargo inside a container.
Freight All Kinds (FAK)Cargo Concept: A freight rate that covers mixed commodity types at a single price rather than rating each commodity separately.

LANDSIDE & DEPOT OPS78 terms

Ship-to-shore (STS) craneCrane Type: The large dockside gantry crane that lifts containers between a ship and the quay — the rate-limiting machine of a container terminal.
Port handling equipment & infrastructurePort Infrastructure: The machines that move boxes and the fixed works they cross. Definitions only — no capacities, lift figures or throughput rates.
Reefer & cold-chain operationsReefer Concept: Running refrigerated containers: the checks, power, atmosphere and monitoring that keep the cold chain intact. Definitions only — no temperatures or rules.
BerthPort Infrastructure: A designated position along the quay where a single vessel ties up to load and discharge.
CEDEX repair codes (illustrative)Repair Code System: Component × damage × repair vocabulary (illustrative excerpt)
ChassisGround Equipment: The wheeled steel trailer frame onto which a container is mounted for road transport.
Cold chainReefer Concept: The unbroken sequence of temperature-controlled handling — from origin packhouse through reefer, port and onward transport to destination — that keeps perishable cargo within its required range end to end.
Container yard (CY)Port Infrastructure: The marshalling area where containers are stacked in blocks between the ship and onward transport — the buffer that lets ship and land operations run at different speeds.
Quay (wharf)Port Infrastructure: The reinforced edge structure where a ship berths and is worked — the STS cranes run along it on rails.
Reach stackerHandling Equipment: A wheeled machine with a telescopic boom that lifts and stacks containers a few high — versatile for smaller terminals, depots and rail yards.
Rubber-tyred gantry (RTG)Crane Type: A mobile yard gantry crane on rubber tyres that stacks and retrieves containers in the storage yard and can move between stacks.
Straddle carrierHandling Equipment: A tall self-propelled machine that straddles a container, lifts it between its legs and carries it around the yard — both transport and stacking in one unit.
DrayageOps Concept: The short-haul road move of a container between the port/terminal and a nearby point (ramp, depot or customer).
Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR)Ops Concept: The document recording a container's condition and the transfer of responsibility at each gate hand-over.
Gate move (gate-in / gate-out)Ops Concept: A container entering (gate-in) or leaving (gate-out) a terminal or depot — the event reported by a CODECO message.
GensetReefer Concept: A portable diesel generator that powers a reefer container while it is on the road or rail, away from a ship’s or terminal’s power supply.
Pre-trip inspection (PTI)Reefer Concept: A full functional test of a refrigerated container’s machinery before it is released for a cargo, to confirm it will hold temperature for the voyage.
Rail-mounted gantry (RMG)Crane Type: A yard gantry crane that runs on fixed rails — higher and more precise than an RTG but tied to its track, common in rail-served and automated yards.
Reefer monitoringReefer Concept: Tracking a reefer’s temperature, power and alarms remotely while it is in transit, so problems can be caught before the cargo is harmed.
Terminal tractorHandling Equipment: A short-wheelbase tractor that hauls container chassis around the terminal between the quay crane and the yard.
Automated guided vehicle (AGV)Handling Equipment: A driverless transporter that moves containers between the quay cranes and the yard on a fixed automated terminal layout.
Automated stacking crane (ASC)Crane Type: An unmanned rail-mounted yard crane that stacks and retrieves containers under software control, the workhorse of automated container terminals.
Controlled atmosphere (CA)Reefer Concept: Actively managing the mix of gases inside a reefer (lowering oxygen, adjusting carbon dioxide) to slow ripening and extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Genset (generator set)Ground Equipment: A portable diesel generator clipped to a chassis (or slung under it) to power a reefer while it is on the road and off shore power.
Harbour pilotPort Role: A locally-licensed mariner who boards an arriving ship to navigate it through the port’s waters to its berth.
SpreaderHandling Equipment: The lifting frame on a crane or handler that locks onto a container’s top corner castings with twistlocks; a telescopic spreader adjusts between 20-, 40- and 45-foot boxes.
StevedorePort Role: A worker (or the company) that loads and discharges a ship’s cargo at the quay.
TugboatPort Role: A powerful small vessel that pushes or tows large ships during berthing, unberthing and tight manoeuvres in port.
ApronPort Infrastructure: The paved strip between the quay edge and the container stacks where the STS cranes operate and chassis queue.
Clip-on gensetReefer Concept: A genset that clips directly onto the reefer container (or its chassis) to power it in transit, rather than a separate trailer-mounted unit.
Cold treatmentReefer Concept: Holding cargo at a low temperature in transit to meet a destination’s plant-health (phytosanitary) requirements — for example to neutralise pests in fruit.
Empty container handlerHandling Equipment: A forklift-type machine with a top-lift spreader built to stack empty containers several high in a depot.
Fairway (approach channel)Port Infrastructure: The dredged and marked navigable channel that ships follow into and out of a port; its depth sets the maximum draft the port can take.
InterchangeOps Concept: The hand-over of equipment between parties, recorded on an Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR).
Mobile harbour craneCrane Type: A wheeled or crawler crane that can work containers and general cargo at berths without a fixed gantry — flexible for smaller or multipurpose terminals.
Reefer plug / rackReefer Concept: The powered points at a terminal, depot or on a ship where reefers are plugged in and monitored while they wait.
Swap bodyGround Equipment: A road/rail exchangeable body, common in Europe — lighter than a container but not stackable and not built for ocean carriage.
TransloadingOps Concept: Transferring cargo from a marine container into a domestic trailer or railcar (or the reverse).
BobtailOps Concept: A truck (tractor) running without a chassis or trailer attached — an unproductive but sometimes unavoidable move.
BollardPort Infrastructure: A heavy fixed post on the quay that a ship’s mooring lines are made fast to.
FenderPort Infrastructure: A cushion fixed along the quay that absorbs the impact and protects both ship and structure as a vessel comes alongside.
Humidity controlReefer Concept: Managing the moisture level inside a reefer to protect cargo that is sensitive to drying out or condensation.
CM-BRRepair Code: cross member broken — replace component
CM-BWRepair Code: cross member bowed — press & straighten
CM-CORepair Code: cross member corroded — blast, prep & recoat
CP-CORepair Code: corner post corroded — blast, prep & recoat
CP-CURepair Code: corner post cut — patch & weld
CP-DTRepair Code: corner post dented — straighten
DR-BRRepair Code: door broken — replace component
DR-CORepair Code: door corroded — blast, prep & recoat
DR-CURepair Code: door cut — patch & weld
DR-DTRepair Code: door dented — straighten
DR-LSRepair Code: door loose — refasten & secure
DR-MIRepair Code: door missing — fit new part
FL-BRRepair Code: floor broken — replace component
FL-CORepair Code: floor corroded — blast, prep & recoat
FL-HORepair Code: floor holed — insert new section
FL-LSRepair Code: floor loose — refasten & secure
FL-MIRepair Code: floor missing — fit new part
GA-CURepair Code: door gasket cut — patch & weld
GA-LSRepair Code: door gasket loose — refasten & secure
GA-MIRepair Code: door gasket missing — fit new part
MY-BRRepair Code: reefer machinery broken — replace component
MY-LSRepair Code: reefer machinery loose — refasten & secure
MY-MIRepair Code: reefer machinery missing — fit new part
PL-BWRepair Code: side panel bowed — press & straighten
PL-CORepair Code: side panel corroded — blast, prep & recoat
PL-CURepair Code: side panel cut — patch & weld
PL-DTRepair Code: side panel dented — straighten
PL-HORepair Code: side panel holed — insert new section
RF-BWRepair Code: roof bowed — press & straighten
RF-CORepair Code: roof corroded — blast, prep & recoat
RF-DTRepair Code: roof dented — straighten
RF-HORepair Code: roof holed — insert new section
RL-BRRepair Code: rails broken — replace component
RL-BWRepair Code: rails bowed — press & straighten
RL-CORepair Code: rails corroded — blast, prep & recoat
RL-DTRepair Code: rails dented — straighten

COMMERCE & LIFECYCLE67 terms

Bill of LadingTransport Document: The carrier-issued document that is a receipt for the cargo, evidence of the contract of carriage and (in negotiable form) a document of title.
General averageInsurance Concept: An ancient maritime principle: when a voluntary sacrifice or extraordinary expense is made to save a vessel and its cargo from a common peril, all parties with property at risk share the loss in proportion to their value. Often declared after a major casualty.
Letter of credit (documentary credit)Trade Finance Concept: A bank’s undertaking to pay the seller once the seller presents the shipping documents that comply with the credit’s terms — substituting the bank’s creditworthiness for the buyer’s. The bill of lading is the central document presented.
Chartering & voyage economicsChartering Concept: How a ship is hired and how a voyage’s time and money are reckoned. Definitions only — no rates, laytime counts or clause text.
Marine cargo insuranceInsurance Concept: Insurance covering loss of or damage to goods while in transit by sea (and the connecting legs). Under the CIF and CIP Incoterms the seller is the party who must buy it.
Marine insurance & general averageInsurance Concept: The risk-and-loss vocabulary of a sea shipment. Definitions only — no premiums, perils lists, claim procedures or policy wording.
Trade finance & payment methodsTrade Finance Concept: How an international sale gets paid and the documents that secure it. Definitions only — no fees, rates, rule-set text or procedures.
Charter partyChartering Concept: The contract under which a shipowner lets the use of a vessel (or part of it) to a charterer. Standard forms such as GENCON (voyage) and NYPE (time) are widely used — named here as reference forms only.
Commercial invoiceShipping Document: The seller’s itemised bill for the goods — description, quantity, value and terms of sale. It is the basis on which customs values an import.
Master leaseLeasing Structure: A framework agreement under which a lessee can take and return many containers flexibly on standard terms, settling on a running fleet rather than per-unit contracts.
Shipping & trade documentsShipping Document: The document trail of a shipment beyond the bill of lading. Definitions only — what each document is and does.
Certificate of originShipping Document: A document attesting where the goods were produced — used to determine the duty rate and eligibility for trade-agreement preferences.
Container leasing structuresLeasing Structure: The common ways containers are leased between lessors and operators.
Demurrage (vessel / laytime)Chartering Concept: Money the charterer pays the shipowner when loading or discharging takes longer than the allowed laytime. NOTE this is the VESSEL/charter-party demurrage — distinct from the container demurrage charged by a carrier/terminal for a box left inside the terminal.
Documentary collectionTrade Finance Concept: The seller’s bank forwards the shipping documents to the buyer’s bank to be released against payment (D/P) or against acceptance of a draft (D/A) — cheaper than a letter of credit but with less assurance.
House Bill of LadingTransport Document: Issued by a forwarder/NVOCC to the underlying shipper; covers the cargo owner-to-forwarder leg.
LaytimeChartering Concept: The period allowed under a voyage charter for loading and discharging the cargo without extra payment.
Long-term leaseLeasing Structure: A committed lease over a fixed multi-year term at a fixed per-diem, with defined pick-up and redelivery conditions.
Master Bill of LadingTransport Document: Issued by the ocean carrier, typically to a forwarder or NVOCC; covers the carrier-to-forwarder leg.
Order Bill of LadingTransport Document: Consigned "to order"; a negotiable document of title that transfers by endorsement.
Protection & Indemnity (P&I) ClubInsurance Concept: A mutual association through which shipowners share third-party liabilities — cargo claims, pollution, injury and the like — that ordinary hull and cargo policies do not cover.
Sea WaybillTransport Document: A non-negotiable receipt and contract; cargo is released to the named consignee without surrendering an original.
Time charterChartering Concept: Hiring a ship for a period of time; the owner still mans and maintains it, while the charterer directs its commercial employment and pays hire.
Voyage charterChartering Concept: Hiring a ship for one specific voyage between named ports; the owner runs and crews the ship and is paid freight for the cargo carried.
Bareboat (demise) charterChartering Concept: Hiring the bare ship itself: the charterer takes full possession, crews, operates and insures it as if owner for the term — the maritime equivalent of a finance lease.
Delivery orderShipping Document: An instruction authorising release of the goods to the named party at destination — often issued against surrender of the bill of lading.
Finance leaseLeasing Structure: A full-payout lease where the lessee effectively finances the box over its life and carries the economic risks and rewards of ownership.
Freight (sea)Chartering Concept: The payment for the carriage of cargo by sea — payable per the bill of lading or charter party, prepaid or collect.
One-way leaseLeasing Structure: A lease taken at one location and redelivered at a different one, used to help reposition equipment; usually carries a drop-off charge.
Open accountTrade Finance Concept: A payment arrangement where goods are shipped and delivered before payment is due — most favourable to the buyer and common between trusted, long-standing partners.
Packing listShipping Document: An itemised list of how the consignment is packed — contents, weights and dimensions per package or container — used for handling, customs and claims.
Shipping instructionShipping Document: The shipper’s instructions to the carrier with the details needed to issue the bill of lading and move the consignment.
Short-term leaseLeasing Structure: A flexible lease for a short, often seasonal need, at a higher per-diem than a long-term commitment.
Straight (non-negotiable) Bill of LadingTransport Document: Consigned to a named party and not transferable; the named consignee takes delivery.
Arrival noticeShipping Document: The carrier’s or agent’s notice to the consignee that the consignment has arrived and is ready for collection, with the charges due.
Bank guaranteeTrade Finance Concept: A bank’s promise to pay a beneficiary a sum if the other party fails to meet a contractual obligation — used to secure performance or payment.
Bunkers (bunkering)Chartering Concept: The fuel a ship burns; bunkering is the operation of supplying it. A major and volatile component of a voyage’s cost.
Cash in advanceTrade Finance Concept: The buyer pays before the goods are shipped — most favourable to the seller and the most secure for them, but it ties up the buyer’s cash and carries delivery risk.
Contract of affreightment (COA)Chartering Concept: A commitment to carry a stated quantity of cargo over a period across multiple voyages, leaving the owner to nominate the ships.
Dangerous goods declarationShipping Document: The shipper’s formal declaration to the carrier that a consignment contains dangerous goods, with the information the carrier needs to carry it. (Definition only — no classes or handling rules.)
Electronic Bill of Lading (eBL)Transport Document: A digital bill of lading carrying the same functions as paper, standardised by bodies such as DCSA.
Institute Cargo ClausesInsurance Concept: The standard sets of cargo-insurance policy clauses used in much of the market. Named here as a reference instrument only — no clause text.
Lease-purchaseLeasing Structure: A lease that includes an option (or obligation) to buy the container at the end of the term.
Letter of indemnity (LOI)Trade Finance Concept: A written undertaking that compensates a party for acting without the usual safeguard — most often given to a carrier to release cargo when the original bill of lading is not available.
ManifestShipping Document: The consolidated list of all consignments aboard a conveyance for a voyage, reconciled against the individual bills of lading and filed with customs.
Mate's receiptShipping Document: A receipt signed when goods are taken on board a vessel, noting their apparent condition — the precursor exchanged for the bill of lading.
Notice of readiness (NOR)Chartering Concept: The master’s notice that the ship has arrived and is ready to load or discharge — tendering it is what starts laytime running.
Particular averageInsurance Concept: A partial loss that falls on one party’s interest alone (as opposed to general average, which is shared) — for example damage to one consignment that does not benefit the whole venture.
SalvageInsurance Concept: The rescue of a ship or its cargo from peril at sea; salvors who succeed are entitled to a reward for saving property, which can feed into a general-average adjustment.
Standby letter of credit (SBLC)Trade Finance Concept: A letter of credit that works like a guarantee: the bank pays only if the buyer fails to perform, rather than as the routine means of payment.
Telex ReleaseTransport Document: The carrier authorises release of cargo at destination after the original bills are surrendered at origin — no original needed at destination.
Total loss (actual & constructive)Insurance Concept: An actual total loss is when the insured property is destroyed or wholly lost; a constructive total loss is when saving or repairing it would cost more than its value, so it is treated as a total loss.
York-Antwerp RulesInsurance Concept: The widely-adopted international rules that standardise how a general-average loss is adjusted and apportioned. Named here as a reference instrument only.
Bill of exchange (draft)Trade Finance Concept: A written order by the seller directing the buyer to pay a stated sum on demand or at a future date — a negotiable instrument central to documentary collections.
Certificate of inspectionShipping Document: A document from an independent inspector confirming the quality, quantity or condition of goods before shipment.
Despatch (dispatch)Chartering Concept: The reverse of vessel demurrage: an amount the owner pays the charterer for completing loading or discharging in less than the allowed laytime.
Dock receiptShipping Document: A receipt acknowledging that goods have been delivered into the carrier’s terminal or dock, pending loading.
Hull & machinery insuranceInsurance Concept: Insurance on the physical ship itself — its hull, machinery and equipment — held by the shipowner, distinct from the cargo cover held by cargo interests.
Insurable interestInsurance Concept: The requirement that the insured party stands to suffer a genuine financial loss if the insured goods are lost or damaged — without it, a marine policy is not valid.
Statement of facts (SOF)Chartering Concept: The agreed port record of all events and times during loading/discharging, used to calculate laytime and any demurrage or despatch.
SubrogationInsurance Concept: After paying a claim, the insurer steps into the insured’s position to pursue recovery from whoever was responsible for the loss (for example a negligent carrier).
Switch Bill of LadingTransport Document: A second set of bills issued to replace the first — e.g. to substitute shipper/consignee details in a back-to-back sale.
UCP 600Trade Finance Concept: The widely-adopted ICC rules that govern how letters of credit operate between banks. Named here as a reference rule-set only.
Bearer Bill of LadingTransport Document: Title passes by simple delivery of the document to the bearer.
FactoringTrade Finance Concept: A seller sells its trade receivables (invoices) to a financier at a discount for immediate cash, transferring the collection and often the credit risk.
ForfaitingTrade Finance Concept: The without-recourse purchase of a seller’s medium-term trade receivables by a financier, freeing the seller from payment and credit risk on the sale.
Phytosanitary certificateShipping Document: An official certificate confirming that plant or agricultural goods meet the importing country’s plant-health requirements.

DATA & INTELLIGENCE30 terms

UN/EDIFACT (container/port subset)Data Standard: UN/CEFACT · Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport
BAPLIEEDIFACT Message Type: Encodes every container position on a vessel by bay/row/tier — the spine of vessel stowage planning.
COARRIEDIFACT Message Type: Terminal reports back to the carrier which containers were actually discharged or loaded.
CODECOEDIFACT Message Type: Depot/terminal reports a container gate move (in or out) to the carrier — the workhorse of container logistics EDI.
COPRAREDIFACT Message Type: Carrier instructs a terminal which containers to discharge from or load onto a vessel.
IFTSTAEDIFACT Message Type: International multimodal status/track-and-trace report — the EDIFACT ancestor of carrier track-and-trace APIs.
APERAKEDIFACT Message Type: Acknowledges receipt of a message or reports an application-level error back to the sender.
COEDOREDIFACT Message Type: Depot reports its container stock (on-hand inventory by type and status) to the carrier or lessor.
COPARNEDIFACT Message Type: Announces container release, booking, or pre-notification between carrier and terminal/depot.
COREOREDIFACT Message Type: Authorizes release of a container to a party (the EDI equivalent of a release note).
CUSCAREDIFACT Message Type: Carrier or agent reports the cargo aboard a conveyance to customs (the EDI cargo manifest to the authority).
CUSDECEDIFACT Message Type: Lodges a customs declaration (entry) for goods electronically with the customs authority.
CUSRESEDIFACT Message Type: Customs authority responds to a declaration — accepted, query, hold or release.
DESTIMEDIFACT Message Type: Communicates a container damage and repair estimate (CEDEX-coded) between depot, lessor, and carrier.
IFTMANEDIFACT Message Type: Notifies the consignee/agent that a consignment has arrived and is available (the EDI arrival notice).
IFTMINEDIFACT Message Type: Instruction from shipper/forwarder to carrier to move a consignment (booking instruction).
MOVINSEDIFACT Message Type: Stowage planner instructs the terminal how to load a vessel (slot-by-slot moves).
VERMASEDIFACT Message Type: Carries the SOLAS-required verified gross mass of a packed container from shipper to carrier/terminal.
BERMANEDIFACT Message Type: Vessel berth request and allocation between the carrier/agent and the port authority.
CALINFEDIFACT Message Type: Conveys a vessel’s port-call schedule and details to the terminal and port community.
COHAOREDIFACT Message Type: Requests special handling (reefer set-point, DG, OOG) for specific containers.
CONTRLEDIFACT Message Type: Interchange-level acknowledgement: confirms syntactic receipt of an EDI interchange.
COSTOREDIFACT Message Type: Orders stuffing (loading) or stripping (unloading) of cargo into/out of a container at a depot.
HANMOVEDIFACT Message Type: Reports or instructs a physical handling movement of cargo or equipment within a facility.
IFCSUMEDIFACT Message Type: Summarizes a consolidated group of consignments for a forwarder.
IFTDGNEDIFACT Message Type: Carries a consignment’s dangerous-goods declaration data between shipper, carrier and terminal (the EDI dangerous-goods note).
IFTMBCEDIFACT Message Type: Carrier confirms a booking back to the requester.
IFTMBFEDIFACT Message Type: A firm booking request for transport capacity.
TANSTAEDIFACT Message Type: Reports the status/condition of a tank container.
WASDISEDIFACT Message Type: Conveys waste/residue disposal information (e.g. tank-container cleaning).

IDENTITY & REGISTRY58 terms

Bureau International des Containers (BIC)Standards Body: Paris, France · Registrar of ISO 6346 owner prefixes
APHUBIC Owner Prefix: APHU
APZUBIC Owner Prefix: APZU
BMOUBIC Owner Prefix: BMOU
CAIUBIC Owner Prefix: CAIU
CARUBIC Owner Prefix: CARU
CAXUBIC Owner Prefix: CAXU
CBHUBIC Owner Prefix: CBHU
CCLUBIC Owner Prefix: CCLU
CMAUBIC Owner Prefix: CMAU
COSUBIC Owner Prefix: COSU
DFSUBIC Owner Prefix: DFSU
ECMUBIC Owner Prefix: ECMU
EGHUBIC Owner Prefix: EGHU
EGSUBIC Owner Prefix: EGSU
EISUBIC Owner Prefix: EISU
EITUBIC Owner Prefix: EITU
EMCUBIC Owner Prefix: EMCU
FCIUBIC Owner Prefix: FCIU
FSCUBIC Owner Prefix: FSCU
GESUBIC Owner Prefix: GESU
GLDUBIC Owner Prefix: GLDU
HDMUBIC Owner Prefix: HDMU
HLBUBIC Owner Prefix: HLBU
HLCUBIC Owner Prefix: HLCU
HLXUBIC Owner Prefix: HLXU
HMMUBIC Owner Prefix: HMMU
HOYUBIC Owner Prefix: HOYU
KKFUBIC Owner Prefix: KKFU
MAEUBIC Owner Prefix: MAEU
MEDUBIC Owner Prefix: MEDU
MNBUBIC Owner Prefix: MNBU
MOLUBIC Owner Prefix: MOLU
MRKUBIC Owner Prefix: MRKU
MSCUBIC Owner Prefix: MSCU
MSKUBIC Owner Prefix: MSKU
NYKUBIC Owner Prefix: NYKU
ONEUBIC Owner Prefix: ONEU
OOLUBIC Owner Prefix: OOLU
PCIUBIC Owner Prefix: PCIU
SEAUBIC Owner Prefix: SEAU
SEGUBIC Owner Prefix: SEGU
SITUBIC Owner Prefix: SITU
SUDUBIC Owner Prefix: SUDU
TCKUBIC Owner Prefix: TCKU
TCNUBIC Owner Prefix: TCNU
TEXUBIC Owner Prefix: TEXU
TGBUBIC Owner Prefix: TGBU
TGHUBIC Owner Prefix: TGHU
TRIUBIC Owner Prefix: TRIU
TRLUBIC Owner Prefix: TRLU
UESUBIC Owner Prefix: UESU
WHLUBIC Owner Prefix: WHLU
WHSUBIC Owner Prefix: WHSU
YMLUBIC Owner Prefix: YMLU
YMMUBIC Owner Prefix: YMMU
ZCSUBIC Owner Prefix: ZCSU
ZIMUBIC Owner Prefix: ZIMU

FLOW & COMMERCE56 terms

Incoterms 2020Trade Term Set: The standard set of trade terms defining the cost/risk handoff between seller and buyer. · 11 · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Trade imbalanceFlow Concept: The structural surplus of empty containers that builds up in import-heavy regions and the matching deficit in export-heavy regions — the force that drives empty repositioning.
CIFIncoterm: As CFR, but the seller also buys (minimum) marine insurance; risk still passes on board at origin.
FOBIncoterm: Seller delivers the goods on board the vessel; risk passes once the goods are on board.
HS code (Harmonized System)Customs Concept: The international product-classification system maintained by the World Customs Organization — a numbering scheme that gives every traded good a code, used worldwide as the basis for tariffs and trade statistics.
Customs & trade facilitationCustoms Concept: The vocabulary of clearing cargo across borders. Definitions only — no duty rates, classification rules or compliance criteria.
Empty repositioningFlow Concept: Moving empty containers from where they accumulate to where they are needed — a major, largely unproductive cost in the container business.
FCAIncoterm: Seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to a carrier nominated by the buyer; risk passes at hand-over.
CFRIncoterm: Seller pays the cost and freight to the destination port, but risk passes on board at the origin port.
Container time-charges (demurrage · detention · per-diem)Charge Concept: Three distinct container time-charges that are frequently conflated. Definitions only — no amounts, free-time periods or rules.
DAPIncoterm: Seller delivers, ready for unloading, at the named place; the seller bears cost and risk to that point.
DDPIncoterm: Seller delivers cleared for import with duties paid — the maximum seller obligation.
DemurrageCharge Concept: A time charge for a container that remains inside the port or terminal beyond the agreed free period — it encourages clearing the box off the terminal.
DetentionCharge Concept: A time charge for keeping the carrier's container outside the terminal (e.g. at the merchant's premises for loading or unloading) beyond the agreed free period.
EXWIncoterm: Seller makes the goods available at their own premises; the buyer bears all cost and risk from that point — the minimum seller obligation.
Per-diemCharge Concept: A daily equipment-use charge for holding a leased or carrier-owned container beyond the agreed period — in effect the daily rental of the box itself. Often confused with detention, but per-diem is the equipment rate, detention is the time charge on the carrier’s box outside the terminal.
Bonded warehouseCustoms Concept: A secure facility where imported goods may be stored under customs control with duties and taxes suspended until the goods are released for use or re-exported.
CIPIncoterm: As CPT, but the seller also buys insurance; risk passes at the first carrier.
CPTIncoterm: Seller pays carriage to the named destination; risk passes when the goods are handed to the first carrier.
Customs declaration (entry)Customs Concept: The formal statement a trader (or their broker) lodges with customs describing the goods, their value and origin so the authority can assess and release the shipment.
Free-trade zone (FTZ)Customs Concept: A designated area, usually at or near a port, treated as outside the customs territory so goods can be landed, handled and re-exported with duties suspended or relieved.
Blank sailingFlow Concept: A scheduled sailing the carrier cancels (skips), typically to remove capacity when demand is weak.
Customs brokerCustoms Concept: A licensed agent who prepares and lodges customs declarations and arranges clearance on behalf of importers and exporters.
Customs duty (tariff)Customs Concept: A charge levied by a government on imported goods, generally based on their classification, customs value and country of origin. (Definition only — no rates.)
DPUIncoterm: Seller delivers AND unloads the goods at the named place — the only Incoterm that requires the seller to unload.
Street-turn (triangulation)Flow Concept: Reusing an import empty directly for an export load without first returning it to the depot, saving two empty moves.
TranshipmentFlow Concept: Transferring cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate hub port rather than carrying it on a single direct vessel.
Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)Customs Concept: A status a customs authority grants to a trusted trader who meets its standards, typically giving simplified procedures and fewer interventions. (Definition only — no eligibility criteria.)
BookingFlow Concept: A reservation of vessel slot capacity for a shipment, made against a carrier's service.
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)Flow Concept: A surcharge mechanism that adjusts ocean freight up or down to reflect changes in marine fuel (bunker) prices.
Cargo manifestCustoms Concept: The carrier’s list of all cargo aboard a vessel for a voyage, filed with customs and the terminal — the master document reconciled against individual bills of lading.
Country of origin / rules of originCustoms Concept: Where goods are deemed to have been produced, determined by rules of origin — it affects the duty rate and eligibility for trade-agreement preferences.
Customs transitCustoms Concept: A procedure allowing goods to move between two customs points (across one or more borders) with duties suspended in transit, secured by a guarantee.
FASIncoterm: Seller delivers alongside the vessel at the named port of shipment; risk passes there.
Free timeFlow Concept: The agreed period during which a container may be held or used before time charges (such as demurrage or detention) begin.
Freight forwarderFlow Concept: An agent that arranges the carriage and documentation of cargo on behalf of shippers.
Importer of recordCustoms Concept: The party legally responsible for an import entry — ensuring the goods are declared correctly and any duties and taxes are paid.
NVOCCFlow Concept: A non-vessel-operating common carrier — it issues its own bills of lading and sells carriage, but does not operate the ships.
Off-hireFlow Concept: The end of a container lease — the box is redelivered and per-diem stops.
On-hireFlow Concept: The start of a container lease — the box is picked up and the per-diem clock starts.
Rollover (rolled cargo)Flow Concept: When a booked container is bumped from its planned sailing to a later one, usually due to overbooking or congestion.
ATA CarnetCustoms Concept: An international customs document that lets goods cross borders temporarily — for exhibitions, samples or professional equipment — without paying duties in each country.
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)Flow Concept: The actual owner of the cargo, who contracts ocean carriage directly rather than through a forwarder.
Cargo cut-offFlow Concept: The deadline by which a packed container must be delivered to the terminal to make a given sailing.
ConsigneeFlow Concept: The party to whom the cargo is to be delivered (named on the bill of lading).
General Rate Increase (GRI)Flow Concept: An across-the-board freight-rate increase a carrier announces on a trade lane.
ShipperFlow Concept: The party that tenders the cargo for carriage (often the seller/exporter).
Slot charterFlow Concept: Buying container slots on another carrier's vessel rather than operating your own ship on that leg.
Temporary admissionCustoms Concept: A customs regime allowing goods (including containers themselves) to enter a territory for a limited time with relief from duties, on condition they are re-exported.
Terminal Handling Charge (THC)Flow Concept: The charge for moving a container across the terminal between ship and gate.
Verified Gross Mass (VGM)Flow Concept: The verified total weight of a packed container, which the shipper must declare before it is loaded (a SOLAS requirement, named here as a concept only).
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)Flow Concept: A surcharge applied during high-demand periods to reflect tighter capacity.
RedeliveryFlow Concept: Returning a leased container to an agreed depot/location at the end of the lease.
Single WindowCustoms Concept: A trade-facilitation facility that lets traders lodge import/export information once, through a single entry point, to satisfy multiple regulatory agencies.
CabotageFlow Concept: The general principle that the carriage of domestic cargo within a country may be restricted to that country’s own carriers (named here as a neutral concept).
Notify partyFlow Concept: The party to be advised when a shipment arrives, named on the bill of lading.

Canonical core — sourced, open-licensed container identity & geography. Ports: UN/LOCODE © UNECE. As-of dates per node. Definitions are neutral and informational; they are not legal, customs or compliance advice.