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Shipping companies are organized for the purpose of running direct lines and regular services between certain ports, or for the purpose of owning vessels which may chartered as and when business is offered.
The term liner does not necessarily include only a large vessel of the Queen Elizabeth type, but includes any vessel which regularly runs on a service between certain ports. A tramp ship is one which sails here and there, picking up
business on its course; many so-called tramp ships are better equipped and in better condition than some 'liners'.
The shipping company, having determined where they intend to develop a service, arrange for a number of vessels to serve the selected route, making weekly, fortnightly, or other periodic calls according to the cargo which may be
offered.
When the shipping company has decided to commence a service, advertisements of sailings are regularly made, sailing cards sent to merchants and agents, and canvassers appointed to secure the necessary business.
The date when a ship ceased to load cargo is shown on the sailing cards, an known as the closing date. Up to such time the ship will receive and load cargo.
The procedure now described would apply in the case of a conventional vessel, loading an assorted general cargo. The goods are received by the ship in two ways, either alongside or in a shed. When goods are received into shed a
dock receipt or wharfinger's receipt is given for such goods, and the goods are retained in the shed until required for loading.
This receipt is now issued by a Standard Shipping Note, which is required by a number of ports and is accepted by all UK ports. It must accompany all export cargo to the dock or ship for alongside delivery. This Standard Shipping
Note contains a counterfoil which when signed serves as a dock receipt.