Glossary of Port Terms

Space allocated or the act of providing a berth (a designated place) for docking a ship or boat at a port. It also describe the fee charged for the use of such a space.

A legal document issued by a carrier (or their agent) to a shipper that serves multiple purposes in the transportation of goods. It is a key document in the shipping process and includes acting as a receipt, confirming that the carrier has received the goods described in the document for shipment.

A method of cargo transportation where goods are loaded, transported, and unloaded individually rather than being placed in standardized shipping containers. This type of cargo typically consists of large, heavy, or oddly shaped items that cannot fit into containers or require special handling.

Large quantities of unpackaged goods that are transported in loose form. These goods are typically loaded directly into the cargo holds of ships, trucks, or railcars without individual packaging or containers.

A detailed document that lists all the cargo on board a ship. It provides essential information about the goods being transported, including their type, quantity, origin, destination, and other specifics.

Goods that require controlled low-temperature environments, typically just above freezing, to maintain their quality, freshness, and safety during transportation. These products are not frozen but are kept cool to prevent spoilage or degradation.

Storage of perishable goods in temperature-controlled environments to preserve their quality, freshness, and shelf life. It is an essential part of the supply chain for shipping ports with products that require specific low temperatures to prevent spoilage, degradation, or contamination.

Process and documentation associated with the arrival of a shipping container (either loaded or empty) at a port.

Also known as unloading, devanning, or unstuffing, refers to the process of removing cargo from a shipping container once it has reached its destination.

Also known as loading, is the process of packing goods into a shipping container for transport.

Process and documentation associated with the departure of a shipping container (either loaded or empty) from a port.

Fees or costs incurred for loading and storing goods.

Also known as direct-to-destination delivery, refers to a logistics strategy where goods are shipped directly from the supplier or manufacturer to the final destination, such as the customer, retail store, or end-user, without passing through intermediate distribution centers, warehouses, or third-party handling facilities

Charge imposed for storing goods beyond the agreed-upon or allotted free storage period. PBL offers 7 free days (Excluding weekends and national holidays)

FCL stands for Full Container Load and refers to a shipping method where an entire shipping container is exclusively used by a single shipper for their cargo. This contrasts with LCL (Less than Container Load), where the container is shared by multiple shippers.

A company or individual that specializes in arranging and managing the logistics of transporting goods from one location to another. Acting as an intermediary between shippers and carriers.

Stands for the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. It is a set of regulations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance the security of ships and port facilities in response to threats such as terrorism, piracy, and smuggling. The ISPS Code is part of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and became mandatory on July 1, 2004.

LCL stands for Less than Container Load, a shipping method in which multiple shippers share the same container to transport their goods. This is an efficient and cost-effective option for shipments that do not fill an entire container, as it allows shippers to pay only for the space they use.

Loading charges refer to the fees or costs associated with the process of loading goods onto a mode of transport such as a truck. These charges cover the labor, equipment, and resources required to safely and efficiently load cargo at the point of origin. PBL Charges a basic fee of BZ$3.50 per short ton)

A designated docking or mooring position in a port or marina where the water depth is relatively shallow, making it suitable for smaller vessels or ships with a shallow draft. The Port uses a Low Berth to load and offload cargo going to and coming from the cayes example (Caye Caulker)

A structure that extends from the shore into a body of water, typically used for docking vessels, loading and unloading cargo.

A refrigerated shipping container used to transport temperature-sensitive cargo that requires precise climate control to maintain its quality and freshness. The term “reefer” is derived from the word “refrigerated” and is widely used in the logistics, shipping, and transportation industries

Short for Roll-on/Roll-off, is a type of shipping method or vessel designed for transporting vehicles and wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, trailers, and heavy machinery. The term comes from the way the cargo is loaded and unloaded: it is driven (rolled) on and off the vessel using its own wheels or specialized handling equipment.

A company that acts on behalf of a shipowner, charterer, or cargo owner to manage various logistics, operational, and administrative tasks related to the shipping process.

A company that operates ships to transport goods and/or passengers across oceans, seas, or rivers. These companies provide essential services in global trade by moving cargo between ports using a fleet of vessels.

A structured schedule of fees and charges imposed by a port authority or terminal operator for the use of port facilities and services. These tariffs are applicable to ships, cargo, and passengers using the port and are designed to cover operational costs, infrastructure maintenance, and administrative expenses.

TEU stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit, a standardized measurement used to quantify cargo capacity based on the dimensions of a 20-foot long shipping container.

The total volume of cargo or number of containers handled by a port within a specific period. It is a key metric used to measure operational efficiency and capacity utilization.

Stands for Verified Gross Mass, which is the certified total weight of a packed shipping container.