Shipping Methods
RO/RO – Roll On / Roll Off
RO/RO is cargo shipped underdeck on car carriers. Their are 2 types of cargo which moves RO/RO
A. Drivable – Can be driven on such as cars, trucks and motorhomes.
B. Towable – Can be towed on such as boats on trailer, travel trailers.
B/B – Breakbulk
Their are 2 types of cargo which moves B/B. B/B can move underdeck on a car carrier or on deck on a containership
Static – Static cargo needs to placed onto a MAFI and the MAFI is towed onto a car carrier vessel. Examples of break-bulk cargo are boats on cradles, and large heavy machinery.
Flatrack – Flat rack is a container without walls and a roof which is used to hold B/B cargo on a containership. Examples of break-bulk cargo are boats on cradles, and large heavy machinery.
MAFI trailer
A MAFI trailer is a platform with wheels designed to transport cargo from the ports onto vessels.
LCL – Less than a Container Load
A LCL shipment is a consignment shipped by sea-freight but is apart of a shared container.
FCL – Full Container Load
A FCL shipment is a consignment shipped in by sea-freight using a container.
FAK – Freight of All Kinds
A FAK is a consolidation of small LCL shipments to form a full container
Transhipment Service
A transhipment service is a sea-freight or air-freight shipment which changes vessel or air-craft before coming to Australia. These services are normally cheaper than a direct service.
Direct Service
A direct service is a vessel or aircraft which carries cargo all the way from the port loading to the discharge port
Wharf Storage
Wharf storage generally starts 3 days after arrival in most Australian port. Wharf storage is the most expensive type of storage and should should be avoided.
Bond Storage
Bond storage is off wharf storage which is still under customs control. This is much cheaper than wharf storage, but cargo can only be moved there underbond.