LCL FCL

Question 1

LCL vs. FCL

Answer 1

Less than Container Load - Consignments from different consignors are delivered to a central distribution station (a “hub” ), where they are sorted according to their destination. The freight is then stuffed into groupage containers and shipped to the port of destination. After on-carriage to an island receiving station, the forwarder strips the groupage container and breaks bulk. The goods are then delivered to their respective consignees. This system has reduced the number of times the individual consignments are transloaded and has minimized the risk of damage. With the help of this system, we have shortened transit times and have cut costs significantly, making it comparable to FCL (Full Container Load)

Question 2

bill of lading - overview

Answer 2

• issued by the carrier (i.e. the shipping line) to the shipper of the freights (consignor)
• contains details of the carriage between those two
• detailed informations about the carrier, the shipper and the freight (descriptions, identifying marks and numbers, weights and measurements, value, insurance number, destination, name of consignee, etc.)

Question 3

bill of lading - what is this (details) and function

Answer 3

• documentary evidence of the contract of carriage between shipper and carrier
• a receipt signed by the carrier -> confirms that the described goods have been received in good condition and are on board the ship.
• The person who signs the document says that the consignment is in good condition -> bill is said to be “clean”
• if the person says the consignment is damaged -> write down a note in the bill -> it is “foul” or “unclean”
• a negotiable document of title -> bill represents the consignment itself and can be passed on to another person or a bank (for payment by letter of credit, for example)

Question 4

sea waybill - what it is and difference to bill of lading

Answer 4

• contains same informations like a B/L , is also evidence of a contract and a receipt for the good it describes
• non-negotiabe !
• not a documet of title !
• Often used when:
  
  • the consignment is one of a series of loads to the same consignee
  • the consignor and the consignee are the same person or company, so when there is not a lot of trust needed.

Question 5

IATA - International Air Transport Association

Answer 5

• international trade body
• created by a group of airlines to represent, lead and serve the airline industry
• represents 93% of scheduled international air traffic
• works closely with its members in the air transport industry -> promoting safe, reliable and economical air travel.
• development of containerization programs, freight handling techniques and uniform rates and rules
• IATA codes ( combination of letters that make locations, equipment, companies and times easy to identify) -> improve air travel for passengers and freight forwarders by standardizing international flight operations
• traffic documents with IATA codes dont need lengthy descriptions and reduce mistakes
• smooth running of electronic applications for passenger and cargo traffic
• code patterns:
  
  • IATA airport codes: three letters (SXF -> Berlin Schönefeld)
  • IATA airline codes : two letters ( MX -> Mexicana Aero)