Liner

Liner refers to a mode of vessel transportation that operates on fixed routes, according to a pre-published sailing schedule, carries cargo at fixed rates, and regularly shuttles between several ports. Its characteristics include: relatively fixed routes, ports of call, schedules, and rates, making it suitable for cargo with small volume, multiple batches, and stable delivery times. Usage scenarios: commonly seen in container transport, where the carrier accepts less-than-carload cargo, and shippers can arrange shipments according to the published schedule. Points to note: liner freight usually includes loading and unloading charges, but attention should be paid to whether surcharges are included (such as bunker, currency depreciation, port congestion, etc.); bill of lading terms are mostly the carrier's standard form, leaving shippers little room for bargaining; compared with tramp vessels, liners place more emphasis on schedule reliability and common carrier obligations. Difference from charter shipping: liner charges by freight ton or container rate, while chartering is by voyage or time. In practice, exporters often book liner space through freight forwarders and need to pay attention to cut-off times for customs and documentation to avoid demurrage.