| The freight industry has a unique lexicon, much of it | | | | Freight - Used in several different manners, can refer |
| rooted in a long transportation history. The vocabulary | | | | to the actual cargo or to the charges assessed to a |
| can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to a | | | | shipper by a carrier for hauling that cargo |
| newcomer. | | | | Gross Weight - Cumulative weight of cargo, packaging |
| We'll explore some of the most often-used terms | | | | and freight car or container |
| here: | | | | HAZ MAT - Hazardous Material |
| Abatement - A discount allowed for damage or | | | | Intermodal - Use of multiple modes of transportation to |
| overcharge | | | | move containers of cargo - can include sea, rail, road |
| Accessorial - Some service that is not considered | | | | and air freight transport |
| 'standard' and will incur additional fees. This can include | | | | LTL or Less Than Truckload - Shipment in which |
| inside delivery, insurance, lift gate service, and other | | | | cargo is not large enough to require an entire truck by |
| services | | | | itself, LTL shipments are generally in the 100 lbs to |
| Bill of Lading (BOL) - Essential shipping documents | | | | 20,000 lbs range |
| which state relevant names and addresses, places of | | | | N.M.F.C. - National Motor Freight Classification (see |
| origin and destination, description of the shipped goods, | | | | Classification above) |
| instructions for payment and other relevant information | | | | Piggyback - An intermodal transport arrangement in |
| Booking - Arranging for the transportation of freight by | | | | which loaded truck trailers are placed on a rail car and |
| a carrier | | | | moved to a destination |
| Boxcar - A closed rail freight car | | | | PRO Number - The tracking number assigned by the |
| Carrier - The transportation entity which agrees to | | | | carrier to a specific shipment |
| move freight by rail, truck, sea, air or any combination | | | | Proof of Delivery - Receipt of delivery for a shipment |
| of these modes | | | | Pup - A short trailer used together with another short |
| Cartage - Local (as opposed to interstate or | | | | trailer to create a twin or tandem trailer |
| international) freight hauling on trucks | | | | Quotation or quote - An offer to provide freight |
| Claim - A demand made upon carrier for payment due | | | | carriage at a specific price based upon certain |
| to damage or other loss as a result of carrier's | | | | shipment information and terms |
| negligence in transporting | | | | Reefer - Refrigerated container or trailer |
| Classification - Assigned rating for particular type of | | | | Stack-train - A specialty rail car which can carry |
| product, generally identifying the size, value and | | | | containers stacked two high |
| inherent difficulties in transporting that product. The | | | | Step Deck - An open trailer with a standard flatbed |
| correct class is imperative for an accurate freight | | | | section at the front and a dropped section in the rear, |
| quote | | | | used to transport taller cargo |
| Consignee - The person or company to which the | | | | Tare Weight - The weight of the empty railcar or |
| freight is shipped | | | | empty container in rail, sea or intermodal shipments |
| Consignor - The person or company identified as the | | | | Tariff - A publication establishing the rates and |
| shipper of freight | | | | requirements of a specific transportation company |
| Container - A large metal box resembling a truck trailer | | | | Terminal - An area in which freight is organized and |
| body that can be shipped via vessel or rail and then | | | | prepared for loading and dispatch to final destination, |
| attached to a trailer chassis for further transport, | | | | cargo will often go to a carrier's terminal after it is |
| containers come in many sizes and types | | | | picked up and then placed in another container or |
| Deadhead - When a truck delivers a load and then | | | | trailer for transport to its destination, Inter modal cargo |
| completes one leg of a trip without any cargo | | | | is often unloaded to a terminal before being organized |
| Declared Value - A shipper can sometimes receive a | | | | and placed for final delivery |
| lower rate if it declares a lower than actual value for a | | | | TL - Truckload freight (where the amount of cargo is |
| shipment, this can be risky in the event of a loss | | | | sufficient to fill an entire trailer or container |
| Density - The weight of cargo per cubic foot, this | | | | Tractor - The power unit used to pull a trailer |
| measurement is important to an accurate freight quote | | | | Trailer - The portion of the truck in which the freight is |
| Double Drop - An open deck trailer with a raised | | | | loaded and hauled |
| section in the front and rear and a lower section in the | | | | Ventilated Trailer - A trailer with small openings in walls |
| middle which can be used to transport unusually tall | | | | to allow air to outside air to circulate through when |
| cargo | | | | doors are closed |
| Drayage - Local hauling of cargo by truck Same as | | | | Warehousing -Storage of cargo |
| Cartage | | | | While this list may seem long, there are hundreds of |
| Dry Van - Refers to a 53' trailer which can be heated | | | | other industry terms and catch-phrases that you might |
| or vented but is not refrigerated | | | | run across. Whether you are a novice or experienced |
| Exception -When a shipment is received by a carrier | | | | shipper, you may hear a new term from time to time. |
| (usually at their terminal), the carrier notes any actual or | | | | Don't hesitate to contact us to find out what any |
| suspected damage to the cargo prior to transport | | | | freight-related word means at any time. |