Stevedore

A stevedore refers to a worker or professional stevedoring company engaged in cargo loading, unloading, handling, stacking, and lashing at ports and wharves. In foreign trade and shipping, stevedores are usually hired by the shipping company or port operator to load cargo from the vessel to the wharf or from the wharf onto the vessel, and to handle stowage, dunnage, lashing, and related operations. Use cases include: allocation of loading and unloading costs (such as stevedore costs involved in terms like FI, FO, FIO, and FIOST), calculation of loading and unloading efficiency and demurrage, and determination of liability for cargo damage. Notes: The quality of stevedore operations directly affects cargo safety. If improper operations cause cargo damage, liability may be borne by the shipping company, the port, or the stevedore, and this should be clearly specified in the bill of lading or charter party. Compared with 'longshoreman,' stevedore emphasizes organized loading and unloading operations or a contractor. Unlike a 'tallyman,' who is responsible for counting and checking cargo and does not directly handle it, a stevedore performs physical cargo operations. Foreign trade practitioners should pay attention to the allocation of stevedore costs to avoid extra expenses.