Learning path
Starting out in freight
& logistics? Start here.
Build the foundational knowledge for a career in freight forwarding, customs, or supply chain. Understand how shipments actually move and what every document is for.
The industry landscape
Who does what in global freight
Understanding which parties are involved in a shipment — and what each one is responsible for — is the foundation of working in this industry.
Freight forwarder
Arranges the movement of goods on behalf of shippers — booking space with carriers, managing documentation, coordinating customs clearance, and providing a single point of contact for the logistics of a shipment. They are agents, not carriers.
Shipping line / carrier
The company that actually moves the goods — operating the vessels, aircraft, or trucks. Issues the bill of lading (sea) or airway bill (air). Companies like Maersk, CMA CGM, and MSC are shipping lines. They carry the goods; forwarders arrange it.
Customs broker
A licensed professional who prepares and submits customs declarations on behalf of importers and exporters. May be a standalone specialist or a division within a freight forwarder. In many jurisdictions, customs brokerage is a regulated activity.
Port agent / stevedore
Represents the shipping line at a specific port. Handles vessel calls, coordinates loading and discharge, and liaises between the carrier and port authority. Stevedores physically handle the loading and discharge of cargo.
Warehouse / CFS
Container freight stations (CFS) are where LCL cargo is consolidated (stuffed) into containers for export, or deconsolidated (unstuffed) on arrival. An important part of the supply chain for smaller shipments.
Surveyor / inspector
Inspects goods to verify condition, quantity, or quality on behalf of buyers, sellers, or insurers. Marine surveyors assess cargo damage. Pre-shipment inspectors verify specifications before loading.
Core reading
Articles for freight & logistics professionals
The key concepts and terminology you'll encounter when starting out — explained clearly.
How freight forwarding works: from booking to delivery
A complete walkthrough of how a freight forwarder manages a shipment — the stages, the documents, the parties, and where the forwarder fits in.
Read article →FCL vs LCL: the complete guide
Full container loads versus less-than-container loads — the differences in cost, risk, transit time, and documentation, and how to advise clients on which to use.
Read article →Container types and specifications explained
Standard, high-cube, open-top, flat-rack, reefer, tank — the main container types, their dimensions, weight limits, and which cargo they're suited to.
Read article →Demurrage and detention: the full picture
Two of the most common charges in sea freight — what demurrage is (port-related), what detention is (carrier-related), who charges them, and how they're calculated.
Read article →Bills of lading: types, functions, and what they control
The bill of lading as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. The difference between negotiable and non-negotiable, original and telex release.
Read article →Customs clearance from a forwarder's perspective
What happens when a shipment arrives at customs, what the broker does, and what information the forwarder needs to prepare for a smooth clearance.
Read article →The commercial invoice and packing list: a forwarder's checklist
What to check when a client provides these documents — the errors that cause problems and how to spot them before the shipment moves.
Read article →Incoterms for freight professionals
A working reference for forwarders: what each Incoterm means for your role, what you're responsible for under each one, and the questions to ask clients.
Read article →HS codes and tariff classification: what forwarders need to know
You're not the classifier — but you need to understand what an HS code is, why it matters, and when to flag a problem to your client or customs broker.
Read article →Equipment reference
Container types at a glance
A quick reference for the container equipment you'll encounter most often.
The standard unit of container capacity measurement. Suited to dense, heavy cargo. Two TEUs equal one FEU.
The most common unit for full container loads. Better CBM-to-cost ratio than a 20ft for most cargo types.
30cm taller than a standard 40ft — the preferred unit for light, voluminous cargo. Now the default for most container trades.
Refrigerated containers for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive cargo. Requires power plug at port and onboard.
For cargo that exceeds standard height or must be loaded from above by crane. Attracts a surcharge and additional tarpaulin fee.
Heavy or oversized cargo that cannot fit into a standard box — machinery, vehicles, structural steel. Requires specialist stowage planning.
Freight costs
The charges you'll encounter on a shipment
Sea freight involves a long list of named charges. Understanding what each one covers helps you read a quotation and advise clients correctly.