The maritime industry witnesses an immense flow of shipment orders to transport globally since it is a significant international shipping mode. Traders who frequently need to export goods benefit from container liner shipping in the maritime industry. The functions of container liner shipping include transporting goods internationally on a fixed schedule ensuring faster and quality delivery worldwide. The various functions and benefits of liner shipping make it an ideal solution for exporters and importers who are deeply involved in the trade business and must fulfil their orders timely. Let us learn more about what liner shipping is and how it functions.
Why is a ship called a liner?
Ships that operate daily do so based on a fixed route or a ‘line’. These regularly scheduled voyages are known as lined voyages. The sea vessels operating on these lined routes following a fixed timetable and carrying cargo are known as liners. These ships are constructed according to set standards to improve shipping quality. Liners can be cargo or cruise ships that function between fixed ports. Since liners work routinely, they help avoid shipment delays unless there is a natural calamity or emergency. It becomes feasible for traders who frequently ship goods internationally as they work time-bound shifts.
What is an example of a liner service?
The liner service can be closely aligned with cargo shipping in shipping containers. Few liner vessels include containerships, RoRo ships, tankers, bulk carrier ships, and LNG tankers. Liner services offer a scheduled service, and the sailing schedule keeps track of all the sailings a ship has to make between ports. These schedules are generated by shipping companies that extend liner services vary from one shipping line to another. Based on the sailing schedule, the routes and ETA are analysed to offer faster delivery of goods to the destined ports. The shipping lines ensure that each liner follows its plan in emergencies. Since the services are faster, the shipping rates in the shipping industry fluctuate.
What is the purpose of a container ship in the supply chain?
Containerships are liner vessels that lie under the category of cargo ships that facilitate the international transportation of goods. The supply chain involves continuously importing and exporting goods stored in shipping containers. The shipping containers are transported from the container terminal or depot to the quay and then loaded into containerships. The various types of containerships are designed to fit into different canals and trade routes to optimise passages and make faster deliveries. Automation in the shipping industry has revolutionised autonomous shipping in the maritime sector. Containerships offer scheduled liner services to traders that transport raw materials and manufactured goods internationally and timely.
What are the functions of container liner shipping?
- Consistent shipping– Liner vessels are scheduled for shipping almost daily. All routes are preplanned and mostly the same unless any emergency occurs. Liner shipping works to offer a more disciplined and coordinated delivery of shipments.
- Timely delivery– All the scheduled sailings work to deliver shipments timely to return to their intended ports to pick up the next scheduled batch of containers. Delays in any delivery impact the rest of the supply chain. Therefore, liner shipping works to deliver orders timely.
- Cargo handling– Efficient cargo handling is crucial for timely deliveries. Liner shipping services offer transportation of goods into ISO standard containers to streamline the handling process. The use of standardised containers is also helpful in intermodal transport.
- Consolidation and distribution– A dynamic consolidation of shipments eliminates extra time and ensures timely delivery. One of the functions of container liner shipping is to integrate transhipment hubs and port calls to facilitate cargo consolidation. It helps coordinate with various shipping parties and enhances logistics activity speed.
- Enhancing global economy– Liner shipping is responsible for moving large shipments across long distances in a limited timeframe. It helps connect producers and consumers across the globe and boosts the global economy through quality, timely and comprehensive scale exchange of goods across countries.
What are the advantages of liner shipping?
- Cost-effective– Liner shipping uses ISO-standardised containers to facilitate easy loading and unloading at ports. It helps minimise the handling cost while container transit using various modes of transport.
- Boosting economy– Liner shipping uses large containerships capable of accommodating large container fleets and transporting them to their destination in a single voyage. It helps in reducing transportation costs levied due to using extra fuel and seafarers on multiple ships.
- Intermodal transportation– International ships are bound to undergo intermodal transportation, and liner shipping facilitates intermodal transport by allowing seamless interchange between modes of transport and ensuring reliable delivery.
- Transporting fragile and hazardous cargo– Shipping container liners are designed to accommodate the handling and transporting of fragile and hazardous cargo. The vessel follows IMO regulations to ensure the safety of the seafarers, cargo and environment.
- Environment friendly– IMO encourages shipping companies to switch to energy efficiency vessels to minimise carbon footprints. Liner ships are adopting clean modes of energy to reduce greenhouse emissions.
What is liner in and liner out in freight?
Liner, also known as ‘free out,’ refers to loading liner vessels at the port and includes handling and loading charges as part of the freight rate. Liner out is the unloading of the ships at their destination ports and entails unloading charges adjusted as a part of the shipping rates. The liner usually covers these terminal handling charges. The shipping company must agree to all the terms and conditions of the liner to initiate the shipping process.
These functions of container liner shipping demonstrate their various benefits in the maritime industry.
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