TALKING POINTS
	What does it mean when a company operates as NVOCC
	The NVOCC acronym stands for Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier, i.e. the carrier, who does not own any vessels, but by entering into transport contracts with shipping companies and issuing its own bills of lading, offers transport services on its own account. NVOCC is described as a separate type of business activity in American law, which regulates the conditions at which American and foreign companies can be granted permission to act as NVOCC in transport to and from USA. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the administrative body responsible for implementing the regulations and control of NVOCC. But NVOCC is also a popular name used in sea transport for a forwarder, who by issuing his own bill of lading is responsible for the cargo entrusted to him, according to the conditions of that bill of lading.
	What does "international multimodal transport" mean
	This term means translocation of goods using at least two different means of transport based on one multimodal transport order from a place located in one country, where the goods were entrusted to a multimodal transport operator, to a named place of destination located in another country.
	What is consolidation
	Consolidation is  joining several smaller shipments, which are sent In the same direction. In order to do this the forwarder issues a separate consignment note for each of the consolidated shipments, and also one collective note with packing list. The shipper put on the collective note is the forwarder that consolidates the shipments, and the consignee is the forwarder that deconsolidates them. The carrier can only see the collective consignment note.
	What is IMDG code
	IMDG stands for International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. It is not an international convention, so it is not a legally binding document, nonetheless it is widely recognized and practically used.
	What is the weight/measure rate
	The rate for 1 ton or for 1 CBM. You use the larger amount for calculations.
	What is CBM
	CBM is an abbreviation for cubic meter.
	What does the phrase door-to-door mean
	Door-to-door means full forwarding service, from the moment of pickup of goods form the supplier, until the moment of delivery to the recipient, including all necessary formalities.
	What does it mean to endorse a bill of lading
	By the power of endorsing – placing a signature on the back of bill of lading, all rights resulting from the bill of lading are transferred to another person.
	What is free demurrage and detention period
	It is the time to pick up a full and drop off an empty container to the port, given by the shipping company. After that free period demurrage and detention are charged. Demurrage charges concern the period after the free time of picking the container up from the port. Detention charges concern the period from picking up of the container to dropping it off empty at the port. The length of free demurrage and detention period can be different and results from the rates in shipping company’s pricelist, as well as individual terms of contract with the shipping company.
	How many pallets fits in 20’ and 40’ containers
	In a 20’ container – 10 pallets  (Euro: 11)
	In a 40’ container – 20 pallets  (Euro: 23)
	What does FIOS stand for
	Free in and out and free stowed – with no costs of loading and unloading and with no stowage costs (the carrier does not bear these costs), used in contracts between the carrier and the charterer. The charterer bears the costs of loading, unloading and stowage.
	What are delivery terms
	Delivery terms are a group of rules, that specify the obligations of the parties, the buyer and the seller. They explain who and to which moment bears costs and risk connected with delivering and insuring of the shipment. Among  commonly used terms of delivery are Incoterms 1990, 2000, Combiterms and Revised American Foreign Trade Definitions, but the most often used in practice of international commerce are the
	definitions of Incoterms.
	What is the scope of insurance within Institute Marine Cargo Clause (A)?
	Institute Marine Cargo Clause (A) – i.e. so called all risks clauses envisage the insurance of the goods from any risks of losing or damaging of the subject of insurance – except for those, which are explicitly mentioned in these clauses. Using A clauses for cargo insurance allows the widest insurance cover – as opposed to Institute Marine Cargo Clause (B)and (C) – i.e. clauses of so called named risks.
	In the light of interpretation of INCOTERMS 2000 – especially CIP and CIF – i.e. the rules that clearly state the obligation of cargo insurance, the seller fulfills his contract obligation when he insures the goods from named risks.
	What is ISPS surcharge and what does it result from
	ISPS is a safety surcharge resulting from the increase of costs of security improvement in sea transport.
	What does “LCL/LTL” and "FCL"mean?
	This term means translocation of cargo smaller than the loading capacity of the means of transport – container or trailer. They are commonly described by acronyms: LCL (less than container load), LTL (less than trailer load) FCL (Full Container load).