There are many ways goods can be shipped by sea. Many exporters
who sell abroad regularly will ship their goods in containers. If
their volumes are sufficient to fill a container then the container
will contain only their goods, this is a Full Container Load [FCL]
shipment. If the goods are insufficient or consists of only a small
quantity then the goods are consolidated with other
parties/shippers goods and shipped in a Less Container Load [LCL]
form. Whilst the container themselves are carried by Shipping
Lines1 with fixed schedules and voyages, often the
shipments are arranged by freight forwarders2. The
contracts of carriage are often bills of lading or seawaybills.
The forwarders who issue bills of lading issue House Bills of
Lading. When they book with the Shipping lines, the shipping lines
will issue Master Bills of Lading.
