Ocean transport is mainly divided into liner transport and charter transport according to the mode of ship operation.
(1) Liner transport
Liner transport is also called regular transport. It means that the carrier accepts the consignment of many consignors, loads multiple batches of goods belonging to different consignors on the same ship, and sails between ports regularly according to the predetermined sailing date, on a certain route, and in a predetermined port sequence. This mode of transport generally carries high-value finished and semi-finished goods, also known as general cargo transportation, and its transportation volume accounts for about 20% of international trade in goods.
The characteristics of liner transport are as follows:
①Four fixed, that is, fixed sailing date, fixed route, fixed port, and fixed rate for charging freight.
②No matter how much cargo, as long as the space is available, it can be loaded, which is especially suitable for the transportation of cargo with small consignment volume.
③The shipping company is responsible for loading and unloading operations and costs, without taking into account demurrage and dispatch fees.
④ Rights and obligations are subject to the bill of lading, which is the evidence of the establishment of the contract of carriage of goods by sea between the shipper and the carrier and the legal document representing the ownership of the goods.
(2) Chartering
Chartering refers to a mode of ocean transportation in which the charterer and the carrier sign a chartering agreement, the charterer leases the ship from the shipowner, and the charterer collects rent for the transportation of goods. The difference between chartering and liner transportation is that in chartering, the sailing time, route, port of call and freight (including whether the freight includes loading and unloading fees) of the ship are determined by negotiation between the charterer and the shipowner before shipment. Chartering is usually applicable to the trade and transportation of bulk goods. The rights and obligations between the charterer and the shipowner shall be subject to the charter contract signed by both parties.
Chartering has the following characteristics:
① Chartering is organized according to the charter contract, and the terms of the charter contract are jointly agreed upon by the shipowner and the lessee.
② Generally, the shipowner and the lessee negotiate and conclude the chartering business through their respective or common chartering brokers.
③ Unfixed routes and unfixed sailing dates. The shipowner determines the ship’s route, sailing time and cargo type according to the charterer’s requirements, provides the corresponding ship, and makes scheduling arrangements with the charterer’s consent.
④ The rental rate or freight rate is determined according to the chartering market conditions.
⑤ The expenditure of relevant expenses in ship operation depends on the different chartering methods and is shared by the shipowner and the lessee, and is stipulated in the contract terms. For example, the loading and unloading cost clause FIO means that the charterer is responsible for the loading and unloading costs. If Liner Term is written, it means that the shipowner is responsible for the loading and unloading costs.
⑥ Chartering is suitable for bulk cargo transportation.
⑦ Various charter contracts have corresponding standard contract formats.