Docking and cross-docking are strategies in the logistics industry meant to increase the efficiency and safety of the transportation process. While docking refers to parking the ship in the port, cross-docking is transporting goods from one mode of transport to another by eliminating time spent storing goods. Supply chain management aims to boost the operational efficiency of the supply chain, and effective docking and cross-docking help improve supply chain agility. Let’s learn more about the difference between docking and cross-docking.

About maritime shipping

Shippers across the globe engage in trade business and move different types of cargo across borders. The transportation takes place using various transit modes such as trucks, trains, ships and planes. Exporters and importers engaging in the international transportation of goods prefer maritime shipping, i.e., the movement of goods using ships. It is a cost-effective and fast method of large-scale shipping. Goods such as perishables, bulk products, heavy machinery, and fragile and hazardous cargo are all transported by packing them in different types of containers. To ease transportation, the maritime industry has evolved to manufacture different types of ships specialized to carry specific types of cargo.

Goods are loaded onto vessels using a stowage plan in shipping to maximize space utilization onboard. These goods are then transported to another port of call, intermediate ports, or destination ports. For anchorage, shipping ports have infrastructures known as docks where the ships are moored with the help of various lines in shipping. These lines are essential to positioning the ship before loading and unloading. Let us learn more about docks in shipping.

What is docking in shipping?

Docks in shipping are artificial structures that extend from the seashore into the waterbody to allow easy berthing of vessels. They are used for various purposes, including loading, unloading, maintenance, and ship repairs. Every shipping facility essentially has a dock to allow multiple ships to anchor simultaneously. Inbound ships are received by port personnel prepared for their mooring based on the equipment, lines, and manpower required. Upon reaching the port, lines are exchanged between the ship crew and port personnel to berth the ship carefully at ports.

Once the ship is efficiently docked, various logistics activities such as loading and unloading cargo, refueling, maintenance, and repairs can occur. Docking is a crucial operation in the shipping industry, as it allows for the efficient transfer of goods and services between ships and shoreside facilities.

Process of docking in maritime

Ships are docked using mooring lines to keep them in position and prevent turbulence caused by high tides or waves. Port authorities must supervise the docking process to avoid discrepancies. If the mooring lines are not connected properly, they can damage the ships and adjacent ships and cause injuries to workers onboard. Let’s learn more about the docking process in shipping.

1. Establishing communication – Upon reaching the shipping port’s dock, the captain and crew communicate with port authorities to conduct a safe docking procedure. The ship may be guided by tugboats or pilot boats as it navigates through the harbor and moves towards the designated docking area.
2. Preparing for docking – The port personnel are prepared with all required maritime resources on the dock. Prior to docking, the ship’s crew initiates anchorage by securing loose items on deck, preparing mooring lines, and ensuring that all necessary equipment for mooring operations is ready.
3. Positioning – Different lines in shipping are thrown between the seashore workers and onboard crew to secure the ship. Tugboats may assist in positioning the vessel and controlling its movement. Line handling in shipping helps in ensuring safe berthing.
4. Mooring the ship – After exchanging cables, mooring lines are deployed from the ship to the dock or pier. These lines secure the ship and prevent it from drifting away from the berth. Crew members handle the mooring lines, attaching them to bollards or cleats on the dock and ensuring they are properly tensioned.
5. Initiating logistics process – After ensuring the lines are correctly secured, various services such as attaching shore power for electricity, fuel lines for refueling, water supply for onboard use, and gangways or ramps for crew and cargo access are initiated. The workers then proceed to load, unload, or repair the ship.

Use of docks in maritime

Apart from carrying out port services such as loading and unloading cargo and passengers, docks perform another function. Dry docks in maritime are facilities utilized for manufacturing, maintaining, and repairing different types of ships. Different types of dry docks assist the ship in conducting these activities. Dry docks have attached valves that allow them to fill with water so ships can enter easily. After entering, the dock is drained to assist workers in conducting maintenance and repairs of the ship as the hull is exposed. 

What do you mean by cross-docking?

Docking and cross-docking may sound interrelated, but they are different. Cross-docking eliminates the need to store goods after unloading them from one mode of transport. The goods are directly sent for sorting and cargo consolidation, from where they are immediately prepared for loading on another mode of transport. This helps offer supply chain agility, as the time spent during storage is eliminated, and the goods move faster from the supplier to the customer. Trucks and trains are the main modes of transport used in cross-docking.

For intermodal transport, goods are offloaded from one mode of transport and then temporarily stored before the next mode arrives. Container depots, container terminals, and inland container depots are temporary storage facilities in maritime shipping, and transportation hubs are used as storage facilities in other modes of transport. Cross-docking helps minimize congestion by immediately carrying out logistics activities.

Process of cross-docking in shipping

Cross docking benefits by offering faster delivery, reducing cargo handling costs, minimizing inventory charges, and reducing lead time. The process of cross-docking is as follows-

1. Receiving inbound shipments – All incoming shipments from various suppliers or manufacturing plants are unloaded at the cross-docking facility. The shipping containers may contain cargo destined for different locations or customers.
2. Sorting and consolidation – The cargo is sorted based on its destination or final delivery point after the shipment arrives. Products from different suppliers may be consolidated based on customer orders or distribution requirements. Labels are attached to shipments to make identification easier.
3. Documentation – The new shipment is inspected for accuracy, quality, and compliance. Any discrepancies or issues are addressed, and necessary documentation is processed.
4. Transfer to outbound vehicles – After cargo sorting and labeling. Products are transferred directly from inbound vehicles to outbound vehicles waiting at designated cross-docking docks or staging areas.

Difference between docking and cross-docking

1. Docking

• In maritime shipping, docking refers to a ship coming into the port and mooring or anchoring at a dock or pier.
• Docking involves securing the ship to the dock using mooring lines, ropes, or cables. It may also involve connecting the ship to shoreside facilities. Docking is beneficial for refueling, loading, and unloading cargo.
• Docking often involves temporarily storing goods at the port or dock facility before further transportation or distribution.

2. Cross-Docking

• Conversely, cross-docking is a logistics strategy that involves transferring goods directly from inbound transportation vehicles to outbound vehicles with minimal or no storage time.
• Cross-docking aims to streamline the distribution process, reduce inventory holding costs, and expedite the movement of goods through the supply chain.
• Unlike docking, which may involve storing and handling goods at a port or dock facility, cross-docking emphasizes immediate transfer and consolidation of shipments to optimize transportation efficiency.

These are the differences between docking and cross-docking, which separate a maritime logistics activity from a general supply chain logistics activity.

LOTUS Containers is a shipping container service provider in Hamburg that offers clients containers on various container leasing agreements to suit their shipping needs.