Microplastics generally refer to plastic particles between 0.33 mm and 5 mm in size [1]. Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, including microbeads from personal care products; fibers from synthetic clothing; pre-manufactured granules and powders; and fragments that degrade from larger plastic products. These smaller plastic particles can be ingested by aquatic organisms. ACC's Plastics Division and its member companies work to better understand the potential role of microplastics in the marine environment.
Multiple studies have shown that microplastics in the marine environment can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Microplastics are small in size, but have a very large specific surface area, and have a strong ability to adsorb pollutants in the environment. Why is this?
Specific surface area refers to the total area possessed by a unit volume of material. Assuming that the microplastic is a cube, it is continuously cut, but the total volume remains unchanged. It can be found that the smaller the microplastic is cut, the larger the total contact area. The larger the contact area, the more adsorption sites, and the larger the adsorption capacity, so the microplastics have strong adsorption.
Why are microplastics bad?
We've known for years that microplastics are problematic, but a growing body of research continues to highlight just how much they affect the environment and our health. Microplastics are extremely persistent, which means it is nearly impossible to remove them from the environment in which they accumulate. Because of their persistence and the chemicals that make them up, research suggests they can be very harmful to the organisms they come into contact with, including causing reduced feeding, poisoning, and increased mortality. They also tend to facilitate the transfer of contaminants along the food chain, with potentially serious consequences for human health. Scientists warn that the situation is out of control. They found microplastics almost everywhere they looked: on mountains, in the ocean, in Arctic sea ice, and in our air, drinking water and bodies.
Where exactly do microplastics come from?
On the one hand, there is plastic waste, which is formed by physical, chemical and biological decomposition, which is secondary microplastics. Another major source is the friction particles such as polyethylene and polypropylene added in our daily use of toiletries, such as facial cleansers, toothpaste, and scrubs, which are primary microplastics. There may be more than 300,000 plastic microbeads in just one scrub. Microplastics eventually flow into the sea continuously. It is estimated that the amount of sediments on the seabed around the world has reached tens of millions of tons. It is imperative to control microplastics!
How to reduce microplastics?
Wastewater and drinking water treatment is very effective in removing microplastics. Research, albeit limited, has shown that they can remove more than 90 percent of microplastics.
But there is also a lot that individuals can do to reduce microplastics. Perhaps the most important step is to change the way we think and behave.
Modern lifestyles are full of single-use plastic items such as straws and cups. People think we use plastic cutlery for an average of three minutes at a time, but it remains in the environment for hundreds of years. Single-use plastics, including food packaging, are also one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution.
Thinking about how plastic is made and what happens to it after it's used makes a difference.
"We need to ask ourselves if we really need to use certain types of plastic, like disposable forks," Alex said. "If we do, we need to question how we are responsible for it and how we can best handle it. It only takes a few seconds.
'An example of this is accidental littering. People might throw garbage into a full bin thinking they've done their part and the garbage collectors will take it from there, but all it takes is a gust of wind to blow it down and you've got Garbage everywhere. So while it may be well-intentioned, it is not a responsible disposal.
"Responsible disposal may be that you end up taking your rubbish home so you can properly recycle it. Every situation and individual is different.
The marine sector has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few decades, and ports and port facilities are needed to meet these growing demands.
This is why each country's shipping authority is focused on ensuring that its shipping ports are adequate for the needs of industry operators and drivers.
However, even as each country focuses on improving its port infrastructure, there are some global leaders with seaports - bigger and busier than all others.
Interestingly, the busiest port facilities are located in Asia due to the continent's geographic location on important maritime trade routes linking ports in Europe and the Middle East.
Details of the 10 busiest ports in the world are listed below, each with their own uniqueness.
NO.1 Ningbo Zhoushan Port
port of ningbo zhoushan, China
Ningbo Zhoushan Port is the port of Ningbo City and Zhoushan City in Zhejiang Province, China. It is located in the middle of the coastline of mainland China and the south wing of the "Yangtze River Economic Belt". It is an important iron ore transfer base, crude oil transfer base, liquid chemical storage and transportation base in China and an important coal and grain storage and transportation base in East China.
NO.2 Shanghai Port
Yang shan harbor of shanghai, China
Shanghai Port is a port in Shanghai, China. It is located in the middle of the coastline of mainland China and at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It connects the north and south coasts of China and the world's oceans, and then runs through the Yangtze River Basin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Taihu Lake Basins. Shanghai Port has established container cargo trade with more than 500 ports in 214 countries and regions around the world, and has more than 80 international routes.
In 2020, the port's annual cargo throughput exceeded 43.5 million TEUs, making it the busiest container facility in the world.
It mainly handles bulk cargo transportation of coal, metal ores, petroleum and its derivatives, steel, machinery and construction equipment.
The port consists of 125 terminals and 19 terminal facilities capable of accommodating the world's largest ships and carriers. In addition to the 5 main port areas, the port also has a cruise ship terminal with an annual throughput of more than 1 million passengers. More than a quarter of China's trade is handled at the port of Shanghai.
NO.3 Tangshan Port
Tangshan Port is located on the southeast coast of Tangshan City, Hebei Province. It is an important regional port along the coast of my country and an important part of the specialized transportation system for bulk materials such as energy and raw materials. Tangshan Port is adjacent to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. Caofeidian is 400 nautical miles from Incheon, South Korea, 680 nautical miles from Nagasaki, Japan, and 935 nautical miles from Kobe. The shipping routes to ore exporting countries such as Australia, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, and India are also very smooth.
In the past ten years, the planned coastline of Tangshan Port has increased from 32.5 kilometers to 65.5 kilometers, the planned dock coastline has increased from 90.1 kilometers to 190.3 kilometers, and the number of berths that can be planned and arranged has increased from 344 to 602, forming the "one port, three" in the whole port. District” and the planning and layout of dislocation development.
NO.4 Port of Qingdao
Like many famous seaports in China, Qingdao Port has a long history - since 1892, it has connected the Bohai Rim and Yangtze River Delta regions with the rest of the world. Qingdao offers direct flights to more than 180 countries and 700 ports.
Qingdao Port includes Qingdao Old Port, Huangdao Oil Port and Qianwan New Port
In 1984, three U.S. Navy ships docked in Qingdao, the first time the U.S. docked at a Chinese port in 37 years.
NO.5 Guangzhou Port
Known as the "Maritime Silk Road", Guangzhou Port has a coastline of nearly 250 miles and is an important shipping hub in South China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou is connected to more than 100 ports in China and more than 350 ports around the world.
In recent years, Guangzhou Port has benchmarked against world-class container hub ports, and has taken various measures to promote the development of containers to a new level, consolidating and improving the energy level of Guangzhou Port as an international container hub. In 2021, Guangzhou Port will complete a total cargo throughput of 623.67 million tons, an increase of 1.8%.
NO.6 Port of Singapore
The Port of Singapore is located on the southern coast of Singapore, with the southeastern side of the Malacca Strait in the west and the northern side of the Singapore Strait in the south. It is one of the largest container ports in the world. The port is the main shipping route between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, and its strategic position is very important. It has been an international trade port since the 13th century and has developed into an internationally renowned entrepot. The Port of Singapore is also the country's political, economic, cultural and transportation center.
The Port of Singapore has superior natural conditions, spacious waters, and little impact from storms. The administrative area is 5.38 million square meters. The water depth is suitable. Ships with a draft of about 13m can smoothly enter the port and berth. The port equipment is advanced and complete, and computerized information is used. The system also seeks to simplify and facilitate user procedures.
NO.7 Suzhou Port
Suzhou Port, located in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, is located in the throat area of the mouth of the Yangtze River, starting from Changshan Mountain in the west (the junction of Zhangjiagang and Jiangyin), and east to the south of Liuhekou (the junction of Taicang and Shanghai). The southeast is close to Shanghai, and the southwest is the economically developed Jiangsu, Xi and Chang areas. It is an emerging port built by the combination of Zhangjiagang Port, Changshu Port and Taicang Port, the former national first-class open ports in China. The original three ports correspondingly become Suzhou Port Zhangjiagang Port Area, Changshu Port Area and Taicang Port Area.
In 1968, Zhangjiagang Port Area was established; in 1992, Taicang Port Area was developed and constructed; in August of the same year, Changshu Port Area started construction; in 2002, the original Zhangjiagang Port, Changshu Port and Taicang Port were combined to form Suzhou Port.
NO.8 Port Hedland
Port Hedland, a port on the Indian Ocean coast in the northwest of Western Australia, Australia. Australian iron ore export port. Located on the northwest coast of Western Australia, east of the port town, facing the southern Indian Ocean to the north, 133 nautical miles from Dampier to the west, 258 nautical miles from Broome Port in the northeast, 812 nautical miles from Wyndham Port, 917 nautical miles from Darwin Port, and north of Lombok The strait is 706 nautical miles and has a population of 15,000.
Just this February, Australia's Western Australian state government approved a development plan to allow Port Hedland, the operator, to export 660 million tonnes of iron ore a year, enabling port backers to invest in onshore infrastructure upgrades and advance their investment and development. growth strategy.
NO.9 Rizhao Port
Rizhao Port is located in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, China. It faces the Yellow Sea in the east, Qingdao Port in the north, Lianyungang Port in the south, and faces Japan, South Korea and North Korea across the sea. It is one of the 20 major coastal hub ports developed by China. In 1978, the Shandong Provincial People's Government planned and surveyed the port selection of Rizhao Port. In 1982, the Rizhao Port officially started construction; in 1986, the Rizhao Port opened for operation.
There are 58 productive berths in Rizhao Port, with an annual throughput of over 300 million. There are two major port areas, Shijiu and Lanshan. As of 2010, Rizhao Port has 38 40-ton, 25-ton, 16-ton and 10-ton gantry cranes, 7 high-horsepower diesel locomotives, 2 imported alumina special ship unloaders, tire cranes, excavators and other Heavy, transport and other equipment
NO.10 Tianjin Port
Shot in Tianjin, China.
Tianjin Port is an important port facility and an important logistics and shipping center in North China. It is located on the west coast of Bohai Bay and is also the maritime gateway to Beijing. It is the largest artificial port facility in China and the ninth busiest port in the world. It handled more than 18.35 million TEUs in 2020 and has trade links with more than 600 ports in 190 countries, with more than 120 container routes.
Tianjin Port covers an area of more than 120 square kilometers, with a wharf of 34 kilometers long and has more than 170 berths for cargo ships. It has 2 passenger terminals and 9 port areas, among which the 3 port areas of Beijiang, Nanjiang and Dongjiang undertake most of the trade business. It also has six main and two temporary anchor areas.
As China is an important central node of the global industrial chain, with a large economy and developed industrial manufacturing, and thanks to the effective prevention and control of the epidemic, manufacturing and residents' lives are generally running smoothly. Compared with foreign ports, major ports generally have better performance. High cargo throughput levels.
According to a final report by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on March 29, the remedy - which would eliminate all overlapping operations of the two companies and be accepted by the European Commission (EC) - will not effectively address the Cargotec & Konecranes board of directors The CMA's concerns and the planned merger between Konecranes and Cargotec could not be completed, the statement wrote. Previously, the merger plan has been approved by China's State Administration for Market Regulation and nine other major regulators, as well as conditional approval from the European Union.
The CMA found that "the expected merger between Cargotec Corporation and Konecranes Plc is likely to result in a significant reduction in competition as
Consequences of horizontal unilateral effects in the supply of the following types of equipment in Europe (including the United Kingdom (Europe)):
According to the CMA's final report, the remedies that would eliminate all overlapping operations of the two companies and accepted by the European Commission would not effectively address the CMA's concerns, so the planned merger between Cargotec and Konecranes could not be completed.
Completion of the planned merger requires approval from all relevant competition authorities, the companies said in a joint statement.
"As a result, Cargotec and Konecranes have decided today to cancel the planned merger," the director said.
Konecranes and Cargotec have the same origin. When the Finnish company KONE (KONE) underwent a large-scale reorganization in 1994, Konecranes was split into an independent company. In 2005, KONE was split into Cargotec and ( new) KONE two public companies. The merger will bring Konecranes back to the arms of Finland's wealthiest family, the Herlins, in a deal potentially worth up to 4.5 billion euros.
The two giants who share the same business are the leaders in the port machinery industry. If the two merge, they will have little impact on the market share in the field of quay cranes, but they will have a market share in tire cranes, automated tire cranes, and automated rail cranes. The rate will be in the leading position in the industry, the market share in the field of straddle carriers will reach almost 100%, and it will also become the world's first in the field of port handling equipment such as reach stackers and stackers.
Konecranes Chairman Christoph Vitzthum said: "As planned and announced on October 1, 2020, the combination of Konecranes and Cargotec will create a company that is greater than the sum of its parts.
"The merger control process was extensive and the investigation was thorough, and the Konecranes board is disappointed that the remedial package offered has not met all regulators' concerns.
“At the same time, we believe that further remedies are not in the best interests of Konecranes shareholders, as they would alter the strategic rationale of the transaction. Konecranes will continue to advance its strategy and pursue its value creation potential on an independent basis.
Ilkka Herlin, Chairman of Cargotec, commented: "The Board of Cargotec believes that the merger will create considerable value for the entire industry as well as shareholders by improving sustainable logistics. The merger will create a strong European company that will accelerate without compromising competition. Share innovation capabilities.
"We have done everything possible to achieve the merger and are disappointed to have to abandon our plans. After a long and extensive regulatory review process and preparation of the merger plan, it is time to shift our full focus to executing Cargotec's own strategy and creating value opportunity."
On March 29, 2022, the two companies announced that the CMA believes that the remedies will not address monopoly concerns and prevent the merger. Konecranes and Cargotec believe that there is no solution that simultaneously addresses the concerns of the CMA, is in the best interests of both companies and the combined company, and does not compromise the original intent of the merger, which requires approval from all relevant regulatory agencies. The company decided to cancel the merger plan. Both parties believe that the cancellation of the merger is in the best interests of their respective companies and shareholders, and will continue to operate independently and execute their own strategies. As of the end of 2021, Konecranes and Cargotec have included 56 million euros and 57 million euros in the related transaction and planning integration costs of the merger, respectively. The total transaction cost of 125 million euros is still valid. The two parties will follow up when appropriate. Report final transaction costs.
No matter what industry you're in, chances are you'll find yourself shipping something that's classified as a hazardous material. Many products contain elements that can be dangerous if mishandled, and such products are required by law to be transported in a certain way.
But how do you know if these requirements apply to you? What qualifies as a hazardous substance? If you found yourself needing to ship anything, how would you pack and ship them? In this Hazardous Logistics Safety Guide, we provide answers to these questions and some tips for shipping dangerous goods.
Some of the most important safety tips to follow.
1. Get proper training
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations deal with the handling and transportation of dangerous goods, whether by road, air, rail or water. It consists of various elements, focusing on aspects such as the composition of dangerous goods, preparation of relevant documentation, reporting of incidents and incidents, and training required for contacts. A company's first priority should be to ensure that anyone involved in the transport of dangerous goods has the correct training and is kept up to date with that training. There are courses specifically designed to train personnel to handle and transport dangerous goods, but laws may vary by region, so check government advice and local regulations to ensure your employees are properly trained in advance. The TDG certificate is generally valid for 3 years, after which retraining is required. Anyone handling unlicensed dangerous goods must be supervised by a witness.
2. Correctly classify dangerous goods
Dangerous goods is an umbrella term covering many different materials and substances. It is important to remember that not all dangerous goods are created equal, and they should be handled and transported in a manner appropriate to the particular type of hazard. TDG divides different types of dangerous goods into 9 categories. these are:
Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (water-reactive substances)
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosives
Class 9: Miscellaneous products, substances or organisms (including environmentally hazardous substances)
3. Contact your shipper in advance
Different shipping companies may have different requirements and restrictions when it comes to shipping dangerous goods. The TDG outlines the minimum requirements expected by the legislation, but different shipping lines may take other steps. Therefore, it is always recommended that you contact your shipper beforehand to check the details of how your shipment should be prepared for shipping.
4. Make sure your shipment is properly packaged and labeled
Ensuring that shipments are properly packaged and labelled is absolutely critical. Before attempting packaging or labeling, you should take the time to research the various requirements for the specific hazmat you are shipping. Companies shipping in and out of Canada should ensure that labels comply with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), an international standard that has been adopted by countries around the world.
How should you package hazardous materials?
Given the wide variety of items that can be considered dangerous, you may find that you sometimes need to ship items in one of the above categories. Even if it's not as dangerous as an explosive, it could still be something like perfume or matches.
What should you do when this happens? How should you wrap it? Here are some basics on how to transport dangerous products.
Safe packaging
A good start is to pack all materials as safely as possible. By locking them as securely as you can, you can minimize the risk of any adverse events. For example, with aerosol cans, you should put lids on and wrap them in bubble wrap or other similar material to keep them from rolling.
Take a similar approach with other hazardous materials, storing them safely with plenty of filling so they get as little jostling and nudge as possible during transport. Also, be careful not to pack incompatible items together, such as explosives and oxidizing substances.
In extreme cases, like nuclear or radioactive waste, the material must be stored in a special type of container designed for the substance, like the familiar yellow drums in various movie images. Hopefully most of your materials will be more common and can be packaged in standard boxes and containers. But they still need to be safe, so make sure they are safe!
Label container
After loading materials into containers, be sure to properly label those containers. You'll want to do everything you can to help supply chain workers understand their content. Use appropriate hazmat stickers on the outside of the container. However, try to keep the number of tags out there so as not to distract anyone with too much information.
In addition to marking what the materials are and the hazards they pose, mark how they should be handled. Make sure the shipper knows what to do with them, either through actions such as marking the container "this side up" or by communicating directly with the shipper.
Record everything
In a similar fashion, record everything about the process. Document everything you ship for yourself and the shipper. Document the materials shipped and how they are packaged and labeled. The more information you keep track of, the easier it is for you to deal with anything that might go wrong. In any case, some documents may be required by law, but even if not, you still need to document everything that happens in the process.
Track your package
It is also important to keep track of the materials you ship. At the very least, take advantage of tracking tags so you can track the progress of materials as they stop and keep track of where they are. Even better, you can use a GPS tracker, which allows you to see where your package is at any time. Tracking your package helps keep you informed and prepared in case something goes wrong.
Abide by the law
Of course, while it's a good idea to do all of these things anyway to be on the safe side, in many cases it's required by law -- especially if your package is being transported by plane. Some materials cannot even be legally transported by plane. For those you can ship to, you may still need to follow a few procedures.
The exact nature of what you have to do will vary depending on the type of material, whether it is new or reused, and whether you ship in bulk. Different combinations of these factors will result in different requirements. In some cases, you may have to use UN-spec packaging, which must have internal materials tested to ensure it will work properly before it is allowed to ship.
Why is MSDS required when exporting dangerous goods and general chemicals by sea?
MSDS is an important document for conveying chemical hazard information. It briefly describes the hazards of a chemical to human health and the environment and provides information on the safe handling, storage and use of the chemical. Developed countries such as the United States, Japan, and EU countries have generally established and implemented the MSDS system. According to the chemical management regulations of these countries, manufacturers of hazardous chemicals usually provide a safety data sheet for their products when they sell, transport or export their products.
At present, the foreign requirements for MSDS (SDS) have been extended to almost all chemicals. In this regard, chemicals exported to developed countries are now basically required to have MSDS (SDS) in order to be successfully declared. And some foreign buyers will require MSDS (SDS) of items, and some domestic foreign companies or joint ventures will also request this.
A packing slip is a document that describes the contents of the shipment to the customer. A packing slip contains separate line items for each shipped item. Each line item describes the product number, product description, and quantity of units shipped. Weight can also be stated. This document is printed by the seller, who either includes it in the package or attaches it to the outside of the package in a sealed bag.
The consignee can use the packing slip to verify the contents of the delivery.
What is the difference between a packing list and an invoice?
While similar in nature (almost identical at first glance), packing slips and invoices serve different purposes for purchase orders. A packing slip is used to represent physical goods received, where an invoice is a financial document for an order that contains information such as the selling price of each product, payment terms, payment method, and date.
In some cases, packing lists and invoices are for different people. An invoice is a bill sent to the person responsible for payment, and a packing list is sent to the consignee. If you order something for yourself, both documents will appear in front of you. However, if you buy something for someone else, you get an invoice, but the recipient gets a packing slip.
While both documents start with an e-commerce store, invoices are triggered by payment platforms, while packing slips are triggered by shipping or fulfillment technology.
Also, all businesses use invoices, but not all businesses use packing lists.
Why is the packing list important?
1.Make sure the right item is shipped to the right customer
One of the most frustrating experiences for customers is missing items from their order or not receiving the product they purchased. This negative customer experience reduces the likelihood of a business getting repeat customers. After all, no one likes receiving parts or orders or the wrong product. The cost of shipping lost or correct items eats into profits. If left unchecked, these can hinder the company's growth.
There are some great ways to help improve accuracy when picking. However, implementing a technically superior picking solution is worthless if the items are still not packaged correctly. A printed packing slip can be used as a basic but effective check during the packing process to ensure that all the correct items have been placed in the pack.
2.Items put in the package
Often, warehouse pickers collect items from multiple orders at the same time. During the packaging process, products need to be packaged for each customer. The packer will use the product list to determine which items should be packed together.
3.Identify damaged items
Packing lists help identify and organize damaged items—whether a fragile item was damaged in transit or an entire package was damaged in transit. Delivery exceptions like this will happen, but having a packing slip as a backup can help expedite refunds or resending of packages
4.Confirm receipt of all items
Packing slips are used to identify lost items and ensure receipt of all items ordered. You can think of it as a written record or record that should be included with the shipment. If your order is delivered in multiple packages, you can more easily keep an eye out for any inaccuracies if the e-commerce order tracking shows that all packages were delivered.
5.Streamline returns and refunds
Returns and refunds are sometimes unavoidable in e-commerce. But a packing list can stop this little headache from turning into a migraine. Having a packing slip can help expedite the process of refunding a customer or sending a new package if an item is damaged in transit.
Likewise, having a packing list can help customers quickly identify if a product that should be in the package is not. While they're unlikely to be happy with a lost item, at least now it's faster to spot the problem and fix a refund or send the product again.
For companies that sell fashion items or other products with a high volume of returns or exchanges, it's even more important to try to reduce the number of customer inquiries about the return/exchange process. Having a large customer support team can be costly, so clear return/refund instructions on the packing slip can help reduce the number of touchpoints the customer support team needs to be involved in.
What information is usually included on a packing slip?
1.Detailed list of shipped and out-of-stock items
A key element of a packing list is to clearly state what is in the package. It's an easy way to help packers ensure accuracy before shipping a package and help your customers quickly determine if their order was received correctly.
While customers should have been informed that one of the items they ordered is out of stock, it is best to include it on the packing list.
2.Quantity per piece
To check every item with a packing slip, it's not enough to just look at the product name or SKU, as many sellers order more than one item. The Quantity column helps reduce the length of the list so that if many of the same items are ordered, the packing list won't be several pages long.
3.Other important information
While packing slips do vary from company to company, standard practice is to include information such as shipping address, company name, purchaser's name and address, order date, and relevant contact information on the packing slip.
What is the difference between a packing list, a bill of lading, and a shipping label?
A packing slip contains information for a single customer order, while a picking list contains multiple customer orders on a single document. Pick list items tend to be ordered in a way that is efficient for pickers to navigate the warehouse. Picking with a packing list is not as efficient as a pick list, because pickers may visit the same warehouse rack multiple times while picking turns.
The shipping label allows a package to move smoothly through the supply network because it contains important information about the shipping of your order, including: its source address, destination address, tracking barcode and its shipping category.
The bill of lading is one of the most important documents in the shipping and freight process. It is a legal document that provides a record of the transport of goods from one place to another and ensures a convenient and safe logistics process. Bills of lading can be issued by
Shipping agent
Carrier or
Logistics company to shipper
The bill of lading also has three main functions:
1. Proof of the contract of carriage
A bill of lading is evidence of a contract of carriage between the "carrier" and the "shipper or owner" for the purpose of carrying the goods (not to be confused with a contract of sale between the buyer and the seller).
2. It acts as a receipt
When the carrier issues the bill of lading to the shipper, it confirms that the goods have been loaded onto the transport vessel. The shipper usually issues several original bills of lading which can be passed on to different parties along the way, essentially taking control of the cargo.
3. Ownership as a commodity (representing ownership)
The bill of lading usually includes details of the consignee (buyer/consignee) to which the carrier ships the goods. However, title does not pass until the bill of lading is passed on to the receiver. The shipper may forward a copy of the bill of lading to the consignee as proof of transport, but the person holding the original bill of lading retains title to the goods. Bills of lading are usually delivered to the consignee only after full payment.
The information listed on the bill of lading can include:
Shipper Details
Recipient (Consignee) Details
Carrier details and signature to confirm receipt
Loading date
Port of loading
Destination port
Details of the shipment
Shipping terms and conditions
Any special shipping requirements (for example, if the cargo is dangerous)
Shipping terms and conditions are especially important because they detail who is responsible for the goods at what stage, and who is responsible for paying the freight (Incoterm for the goods). Note that the bill of lading may not detail all the terms and conditions of carriage, but at least they should be mentioned.
So among these three functions, which is the most important function of the bill of lading..??
In the container business, the following are the most common types/methods of issuing bills of lading:
Direct bill of lading
Order bill of lading
Bill of Lading
All of the above types of bills of lading satisfy Functions 1 and 2 – Evidence of Contract of Carriage and Goods Receipt, but only the Order Bill of Lading satisfies Function 3 – Document of Title..
Why the other two types do not satisfy function 3..?? Let me explain..
1) When a bill of lading is issued in original form to the "appointed" consignee, it is called a "direct bill of lading", and a direct bill of lading is a non-negotiable and non-negotiable document. The bill of lading stationery will not have the words Straight Bill of Lading, but may have Ocean Bill of Lading or Port to Port Bill of Lading written at the top.
Release of goods at destination can only be made to the named consignee and only after surrender of at least one original issued bill of lading. This release condition is governed by the COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act) of the relevant country and jurisdiction. .
A direct bill of lading does not satisfy function 3 (document of title) because the document is neither transferable nor transferable.
2) When the bill of lading is issued to the "designated" consignee but without any original and using sea waybill or waybill stationery, it may be regarded as a "sea waybill".. this bill of lading is also a non-negotiable & non-negotiable document..
Since the sea waybill is not issued the original, it does not need to be returned.
The ocean bill of lading does not satisfy function 3 (document of title) because the document is neither negotiable nor negotiable.
Given below are ready-made estimators as to which type of bill of lading fulfills which role (in the context of container shipping).
So what is the most important function of the bill of lading? ?
The answer is: no one feature is more important than the other, because each feature has its own purpose and needs.
In foreign trade, the bill of lading is a document issued to the consignor by the transportation department when carrying the goods. The consignee picks up the goods with the bill of lading to the transportation department at the destination of the freight. The bill of lading must be signed by the carrier or the ship to take effect. It is one of the valid documents for the declaration of goods by sea to the customs.
1. Different types of bills of lading based on negotiable and non-negotiable documents
The main difference between the two types is that the title (ownership) of one can be transferred to another party, while the other is consigned to a named party, so he/she must be the ultimate receiver of the goods, as this type of title bill of lading cannot. transfer.
Readers should not confuse negotiable and non-negotiable bills of lading with "negotiable" and "non-negotiable" copies of a signed bill of lading.
① Direct bill of lading
A direct bill of lading is designated to a specific party, and the designated party cannot reassign it to anyone else. One party only needs to pick up the goods and cannot sell the goods by transferring the bill of lading to the other party's name. ② Order bill of lading
This is the bill of lading that most people encounter on board. The bill of lading is for the consignee, or for him. That is, the named consignee will be the owner of the goods or he can order the delivery of the goods to the other party by means of a bill of lading endorsed to the other party.
An order bill of lading is a negotiable document as the title (ownership) of the bill of lading is transferable. ③Bearer bill of lading
A bearer bill of lading is a bill of lading that states that the goods should be delivered to anyone who holds the bill of lading. These documents are issued exclusively or are purchase orders that do not specify the consignee by original or blank endorsement. Bearer notes can be negotiated by physical delivery.
2. According to whether the goods have been shipped
①Shipped B/L, or On Board B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued to the shipper by the carrier or its authorized agent on the basis of the chief mate's receipt after the goods are loaded on board. If the carrier issues an on-board bill of lading, it confirms that he has the goods on board. ②Received for Shipment B/L
It is a bill of lading issued by the carrier at the request of the shipper when it has received the goods from the shipper but has not yet been loaded on board.
3. According to whether there are comments on the order or not
①Clean B/L
Refers to the bill of lading that the goods are in good condition when loaded on the ship, and the carrier has not added any damage to the goods, poor packaging or other obstacles to the settlement of foreign exchange. ②Unclean B/L or Foul B/L
Unclean B/L or foul B/L refers to the bill of lading marked on the bill of lading by the carrier that the goods and packaging are in poor condition or defective, such as wet, oily, stained, rusted, etc.
4. According to the different modes of transportation
①Direct B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued after the goods are loaded from the port of loading and sailed directly to the port of unloading without changing ships in the middle. ②Transhipment B/L
It refers to the full bill of lading issued by the carrier at the port of shipment for the goods to be transshipped to reach the port of destination. ③Multimodal transport document/multimodal transport document
A multimodal transport document or combined transport document is an intermodal bill of lading involving at least two different modes of transport, land or sea. However, the mode of transportation can be anything from cargo ships to air.
5. Special Bill of Lading
①Container Bill of Lading
A container bill of lading is a document that provides information about the shipment of goods in secure containers or containers from one port to another. ②Combined B/L
Refers to two or more batches of liquid bulk cargo of the same variety, quality, port of loading and unloading, but belonging to different consignees and packed in the same liquid cargo tank, and are respectively the consignee of each batch of goods Issuing a bill of lading with the seal of 'Consolidation Clause' stamped on it. ③Parcel Receipt B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued for goods consigned in the form of parcels. This is a bill of lading set by the carrier according to the special needs of the trade, and the weight must not exceed 45kg.
When you engage the services of a freight forwarder for your global shipping and business needs, what you expect to enjoy is the relationships they already have with various carriers such as ocean liners, truck companies, airline carriers. You should also benefit from their intricate knowledge of how export and import work in different countries. Moreover, they will be able to smoothly handle customs clearances for your goods, and track the status of the shipment as it makes its way from the supplier/manufacturer to you.
What is a Freight Forwarder?
A freight forwarder is an agent or business within the international trade industry that handles the shipping and transport of goods from one part of the world to another either by land, sea, or air. They are involved in the process of getting goods from suppliers and manufacturers, storing them, and facilitating the transportation logistics to end-users and consumers or some other distribution point. For instance, if you wish to ship freight from China, your best bet will be to hire a China freight forwarder to help you handle the daunting and complicated process of moving your freight either through ocean shipping,air freight, road or rail transport, or some other means.
Tips On How To Choose A Good Freight Forwarder
Nowadays, there are so many agents offering freight forwarding services. So, it may be difficult to find the best freight forwarder for your business. To that end, here are tips on how to choose a good freight forwarder that’s perfect for you.
1. Do Your Homework And Know What You Need
The very first thing that will help you secure the services of the best freight forwarder that will move your goods across international supply chains and trade routes is to do your homework. This means knowing what exactly you need. Ask yourself what kind of freight you want to ship in terms of volume and size. You should not expect exactly the same procedure when shipping goods like automobiles when you’re shipping commodities like foodstuffs.
You would also have a preferred mode of transport you wish to use, so it’s good for you to figure that out before contacting a freight forwarder. Moreover, some goods are fragile and require special handling procedures while others don’t. So, for such special shipments like dangerous or hazardous goods, you would expect the shipping process to be slightly more complicated.
When you clearly identify all your internal requirements, then you will be prepared for the hunt for the right freight forwarder to make the process smooth.
2. Consider The Freight Forwarder’s Experience And Network
This is non-negotiable!
The years of experience that the freight forwarder you’re looking to hire has is very crucial to the success of your business relationship. If they’re experienced, that means that they would have dealt with different situations that come up during the shipping process.
Examples of common situations are cases of port shutdowns, strike action by dockworkers, customs issues, cargo rerouting, warehouse problems, etc. Here is where TJ China Freight comes in with more than a decade of handling and promptly and effectively resolving international shipping and logistics situations for customers all over the world.
With experience also comes an expansive global reach and sustainable business relationships. This manifests through good connections with various suppliers, local handlers and experts, trucking companies, and agents at numerous destinations. That’s how you can be sure your DDP shipments, FBA shipments, or any other freight will be handled well when they arrive at the destination country.
3. Find Out The Services They Offer
By now, you know your shipping needs. However, you don’t want just any freight forwarder with experience. Instead, you need the best freight forwarder that offers the services that will meet handle your shipping requirements. That’s why you have to confirm the services that the freight forwarder offers. These services can range from preparing import and export documents, booking shipping space from air and sea carriers, packing and storing shipments, customs clearance, freight consolidation, tracking shipments, insurance, and many more.
When you know the services that the freight forwarder provides, then you will know if they can make your international shipping process go smoothly.
4. Inquire About Their Permits, Credentials, And Certifications
Before shipments can be transported from one part of the world to another, the freight forwarder in charge of the logistics requires permits and documentation to show that they can handle the cargo. Your company may wish to ship sensitive products such as hazardous materials. To handle these shipments successfully, the freight forwarder will require special licenses. This is why you need to verify if the freight forwarder has these credentials. It will show that they have taken specialized and required training to do the job well.
Another important consideration is whether the freight forwarder is a member of reputable associations such as >WCA. To be a member of such bodies, freight forwarders are required to be financially stable, operationally efficient, have integrity, and pass many other strict vetting requirements. The best freight forwarder will always ensure they are part of such associations to stay in touch with the latest developments in the profession and remain relevant and valuable to customers.
5. What Risk Management Procedures Do They Have In Place?
It is not uncommon for problems to arise during the process of international shipping. There are lots of conditions that can destabilize the transportation of your cargo, whether at the origin, during transit, or at the destination country. So, it’s important for you to verify whether the freight forwarder has procedures in place to manage risks. Freight forwarders that are proactive are the best in handling any issues and proffering solutions to problems as they arise.
A common risk management procedure that you can ask about is cargo insurance. The insurance cover is valuable if anything happens to your shipment, whether it’s a case of loss, damage, or theft. Your mind will be more at ease during the entire shipping process if you know that you’re covered by insurance or any other valid risk management policy. Your freight forwarder should be your partner when there is a crisis.
6. What Is Their Customer Service Like?
Good customer service is the backbone of any business! All the credentials, experience, network and connections in the world amounts to nothing if a freight forwarder does not treat their customers well.
Imagine going through the process of securing your shipments from the supplier or manufacturer only for you to be unable to reach the freight forwarder handling the logistics and transport. If you have inquiries about freight rate or any other issues related to international shipping and the freight forwarder takes forever to respond to your inquiries, would you be willing to do business with them? This is why it’s important to verify what the freight forwarder’s customer service looks like. You can ask about who the contact person is, who to talk to when a problem arises, how you will be contacted, and also check the reviews from previous customers.
Because international shipping can be tricky, these details are important, which is why clear communication between you and your freight forwarder is very crucial to the success of the endeavor. Great customer service even extends beyond when your shipment arrives. TJ China Freight is a tested and trusted China freight forwarder that offers unbeatable service to all its customers.
What About Pricing And Rates?
You may be wondering by now why there was no mention of pricing and rates in the tips on how to choose the best freight forwarder for your international shipping needs. Yes. It was deliberately left out. Why? Because deciding which freight forwarder to hire based on price alone is misleading and often has dire consequences.
For example, going with a freight forwarder because they offer the lowest rates on a shipment may lead to you having to pay more on subsequent shipments. This is because the freight forwarder would want to make up for the low price that they offered initially. Another possibility is that such freight forwarder that’s offering a low rate may have hidden some charges in the terms and conditions. All in all, low prices are often linked to dishonest dealings. You don’t want to fall victim, do you?
What your main focus should be while you are in search of the best freight forwarder for your business is whether your professional shipping needs will be precisely and promptly met. This is not to say that price is not important. Rather, it should not be your deciding factor on who to choose.
How To Ask For Shipping Rates From Your Freight Forwarder
Now that you know what you need to do to hire the best freight forwarder to handle your shipments, you should know the details you require to get the accurate quote and shipping rates for your products. This will help you prepare adequately and also help the freight forwarder serve you well.
To request for a quote from TJ China Freight, the information required include:
1. Product Name.
The name of the product is required. Also, is the product with or without battery? Is it magnetic? Is it liquid? Are they dangerous goods?
2. INCOTERMS Or Terms Of Sale.
Incoterms refer to your International Commercial Terms with the seller, supplier, manufacturer or factory. Are your incoterms EXW (Ex works), Free on Board (FOB), or Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)?
3. Weight And Volume Information.
If you have the goods packing lists, that’s the most preferred. Alternatively, you can send the gross weight and volume information of the shipment.
4. Address Of The Supplier Or Factory.
If your contract price term is EXW, then we have to arrange the pick up from your supplier or facotry, so the address of the supplier or factory will be needed for us to check the pick fee.
5. The Destination Address Or Port Of Destination.
For Express shipping or any type of door to door delivery, we will need your exact destination address and post code to check the exact cost, and for Air freight or any type of shipping to Port only, then your port information will be required.
6. Your Preferred Shipping Method (Air Freight, Express Freight, Sea Freight, or Train Delivery).
The shipping cost is very different for the air freight, express freight, sea freight or train delivery, so pls let us know which shipping method do you prefer.
7. Your Preferred Time of Delivery – How Quickly Do You Want The Shipment To Be Delivered.
If you don’t know what shipping way is more suitalbe for you, pls let us know your preferred time of delivery, we will try to recommend the best shipping method that can meet your demands.
TJ China Freight,Your Best Freight Forwarder In China
As a leading China freight forwarder that specializes in shipping goods from China to other parts of the world, TJ China Freight offers a broad range of freight services like express shipping, warehousing, drop shipping, FBA shipping, and many more. We partner with many reputable organizations such as DHL, UPS, Emirates, etc. to make sure your shipments arrive on time and in good condition. Contact us today for a quote and open the door to an amazing business relationship.
Although the new round of new crown pneumonia in Europe represented by the British mutant virus has generally eased, and the congestion of British ports is also showing signs of easing, it will take some time for the European transportation system to fully recover.
At the same time, the goods hoarded before the Chinese New Year have basically been shipped out, and the demand for transportation after the holiday is still recovering. The overall market volume is insufficient, and some voyages have surplus space. Liner companies cut prices to buy goods.
Under the combined influence of the above-mentioned market factors, the freight rates of Asia-Europe routes after the Spring Festival have been declining.
According to the Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) released by the Shanghai Aviation Exchange, on March 12, the freight rate (sea and ocean surcharges) for exports from Shanghai to the European basic port market was 3,712 US dollars/TEU, which was higher than that on March 5. Compared with 3966 USD/TEU, it is down 6.4%. Compared with the USD 4,047/TEU on February 26, it was down by 8.3%. Compared with the 4281 USD/TEU on February 19, the drop reached 13.3%.
This is also the rate of the Asia-Europe route, which has declined for three consecutive weeks.
The situation of the Mediterranean route is slightly better than that of the European route. On March 12, the freight rate (sea freight and ocean freight surcharges) for exports from Shanghai to the Mediterranean basic port market was 4,020 USD/TEU, a decrease of 5.4% compared with 4,252 USD/TEU on February 19.
The Ningbo Export Container Freight Index (NCFI) released by the Ningbo Shipping Exchange also showed a similar trend.
From March 5th to 12th, the NCFI European route freight index was 2871.1 points, a decrease of 6.2% from the previous week. Compared with the 3192.2 points on February 20-26, a drop of 10%; compared with the 3323.4 points on February 13-19, a drop of 13.6%.
The trend of NCFI European route freight index
In the same period, the freight index of the NCFI East-West route was 2354.2 points, and the freight index of the NCFI West-South route was 3007.1 points, a decrease of 7.4% and 9.2% respectively from February 13-19.
Entering 2021, the freight rate of Asia-Europe route has experienced an astonishing price increase of 25.8% overnight, and then gradually dropped.
Previously, industry consulting agency Sea-Intelligence had predicted that in 2021, the uncertainty caused by the epidemic would still be very large, and the historically high freight rates would fall.
Lin Shulai, an analyst at Yihailan, analyzed that the market freight rate after the Spring Festival depends on two factors, the operating strategy of the shipping company and the development of the epidemic. It is expected that after the first quarter of 2021, the market is expected to return to normal.
The prosperous situation of the container shipping market will continue for a longer period of time. The profit of the shipping company in the first quarter of this year is expected to increase to several times that of the fourth quarter of last year, and the profit in the second quarter will be equal to or higher than that of the first quarter.
After the Spring Festival, the congestion problem of European and American ports has not been relieved as expected. Instead, it has spread everywhere. Major international ports such as Los Angeles, Oakland, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felice Du, Liverpool, and Le Havre continued to be congested. Singapore is not immune. Although the current shortage of containers has improved, it is estimated that as the volume begins to increase at the end of March, it will return to the original situation in April.
Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, pointed out that Asian terminals currently operate 24 hours a day, while berths on the west coast of the United States work 112 hours a week, container terminals work 88-90 hours a week, and land operations are limited to daytime. Therefore, the current situation of the trans-Pacific route is unlikely to improve in the short term.
On the whole, the off-season of the shipping market after the Spring Festival this year is not weak. The number of days for seasonal correction of freight rates before and after New Year's Eve is between 50 and 64 days. The rate of freight rate decline is between 17% and 27%. After the festival, only 3.8% is revised, which is still obvious. Less than historical convention.
Looking forward to the market outlook, analysis institutions are optimistic about the market performance this year. Drewry predicts that the global container shipping demand growth rate will reach 10.9% in 2021, which is much higher than the 4.5% growth rate of supply.
The Danish shipping consulting agency Sea-Intelligence also estimates that the surge in freight rates may continue until the spring of 2022, and the freight rates for the US line may increase by another 25%.
Sea-Intelligence's research report pointed out that the current US retail industry inventory is still at a historical low, and the relative inventory level has been the lowest in 28 years. This is undoubtedly good news for the shipping company. As long as the sales situation is normal, the US retail industry needs to be in Continue to replenish inventory in the next few months.
Executives of CH Robinson, the world's leading third-party logistics service provider, pointed out that global road, sea and air cargo congestion is likely to continue into next year and continue to increase transportation costs.
Although there is still room for increase in freight rates, the various operating costs of container shipping companies are also increasing significantly. Port congestion has reduced ship turnover by 20% to 30%, and container ship rents have soared, which has doubled in the past year. In addition, the price of marine fuel oil has increased by 60% since November last year, and the difficulty in crew dispatch caused by the epidemic has also increased labor costs by about 20%.
Consolidation company believes that starting from May this year, the long-term freight rate of the western US route has started from US$3,000, which is several times higher than that of last year’s US$1,400. Therefore, as long as the freight rates of the European and Southeast Asian routes are stable, the company’s profit in the second quarter may be The first quarter is equivalent. If it is a consolidator that starts to substantially increase US flights in mid-March, there is still a chance that the second quarter will make more profits than the first quarter.
