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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.
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When a shipper has a large quantity of cargo which he is desirous of sending by a special vessel, he will approach the company to book space. Also when such cargo as he is sending is of a dangerous or inflammable nature or requiring special care he will obtain a stowage order for these goods.
Goods are tallied into the vessel by tally clerks, whose duty is to keep a check and list of all cargo stowed in the vessel.
Tallying is done by recording in books, on cards, or on sheets, the mark, port, numbers, and number of packages, with any remarks regarding condition.
Against the particulars of the packages on the tally cards, are the measurements and weight by which freight is charged.
The process of tallying is essentially one with which great care should be taken. Many cases arise where owing to a wrong tally, bills of lading are issued for goods which have never been shipped. When bills of lading are issued in this manner, the consignee on failing to receive his cargo at port of delivery holds a document of title and has every right to claim the full value of his cargo although the same was never shipped. The carrier must, in order to secure freedom from liability, prove that the goods were never on board, which may entail great inconvenience and also be very difficult.
The freight account is made out and freight is chargeable according to weight or measurement, or ad varorem value, whichever may be the most remunerative to the carrier. In addition to freight there may be charges for fowarding, clearance, and sometimes a charge for primage.
Conferences of the different trades are organized whereby all shipping companies trading in certain areas meet and discuss matters of general interest, compile tarriffs of rates for specific goods, and generally control and protect the interest of all members.
One copy of the manifest and a plain copy of each bill of lading, known as the captain's copy, is forwarded to the port of delivery. Other copies of manifests and bills of lading are handed to customs and consular authorities as required.
On arrival of the vessel at the port of destination, the consignee presents his bill of lading to the shipping company, or their local representatives, who issue a delivery order in exchange, which the consignee hands to the officer in charge of the ship and obtains his cargo.
In order to avoid delay in soning cargo on arrival, stowage plans are made out by the loading staff which show the position of the goods. ln this manner, and by this guide, each receiver of cargo is advised where his cargo is, when it will be delivered, and consequently delay and time lost awaiting cargo is diminished.
ln stowing cargoes the stevedores see that all light cargoes are stowed over heavy cargoes, and that protection is made, by way of dunnage mats, or alternatives, for separating the cargo.
Much space is lost in stowing packages of irregular shape such as barrels, drums, awkward shaped cases, etc., and this space is termed broken stowage. It must not be confused with the term breaking bulk, which is the expression used for opening a hatch at port of delivery and removing cargo.