GISTnet Main page GISTnet Library Glossary CFR Exhibits Countries My Page Help

T1—Introduction to Cargo Transportation for Forwarders (Global)

Subscriber price: $211.00, Non-subscriber price: $269.00
Estimated total study time: 16 hours 38 minutes [Enroll now]

This course is designed as a primer for entry-level personnel who are or will be involved in any mode of commercial cargo transportation. It should also be taken as a foundation by anyone planning to take more advanced cargo-related courses.

Note: Students who have or will take the GISTnet "jump start" air and ocean forwarder training courses should not be assigned this training as much of the same material is covered in the "jump-start" training.

Our Role as Transportation Intermediaries

This course looks at the world of international cargo transportation from the perspective of the various "players" and most specifically that of an international freight forwarder. This lesson sets up our topic by focusing on the knowledge responsibility of the freight forwarder (also known as a "transportation intermediary"), who, as the shipper's agent and/or indirect carrier must make a variety of decisions, prepare complex documents, and coordinate all the rest of the "players" in order to deliver a shipment reliably, on time and at a competitive cost. What knowledge and skills should a freight forwarder have? What are our objectives in taking this course?

(Estimated study time: 55 minutes)

Overview of Freight Forwarder Services

This second lesson introduces the traditional as well as expanded functions of a "freight forwarder".

(Estimated study time: 49 minutes)

Cargo Transportation—Basic Concepts and Issues

(Estimated study time: 45 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes, Beginning with Inland and Intra-Coastal Waterways

In this lesson we begin an overview of the primary modes of cargo transportation, beginning with inland waterway.

Regardless of which transportation modes we may have a particular interest in based on our current work or job assignment, everyone involved in cargo routing, carrier selection or cargo documentation should have at least a basic understanding of the comparative characteristics, advantages and limitations of all commercial modes. This is especially true of anyone involved in routing intermodal movements and/or determining which combination of transport modes should be used in meeting specific shipment needs.

(Estimated study time: 35 minutes)

Deep Sea (Ocean) Transportation and Shipping

This lesson provides an overview of deep sea transportation, otherwise known as ocean shipping, also an ancient mode of commercial transportation growing out of man's experience with inter-coastal water navigation and improved boat building.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 28 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes: Rail Transportation

This lesson addresses the history of rail transportation, and compares the advantages and limitations of this mode vs. other modes.

(Estimated study time: 53 minutes)

Truck and Air Transportation; Cost Comparisons Among Modes

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 15 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Trends as Part of Broader Logistics Services

This lesson addresses long-term and recent trends in cargo transportation as it relates to the services of cargo consolidators, integrated carriers, and 3PLs (door-to-door logistics).

(Estimated study time: 47 minutes)

Shipper-to-Carrier Relationship

This lesson defines the three alternative types of relationship between cargo transportation carriers and shipper.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 8 minutes)

Direct vs. Indirect Carriage; Carrier-to-Carrier Relationships; Freight Forwarders

In this lesson we explain and differentiate between direct carriage provided by asset-operating carriers (e.g., shipping lines operating vessels, airline, truck operators), and indirect carriage in which freight forwarders issue their own contracts of carriage to shippers. This enables forwarders to provide several value-added services that a shipper would not typically receive from a direct carrier, and particularly on small shipment. Indirect carriage plays a prominent role in ocean, air and through intermodal movement.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 8 minutes)

Transportation Carrier Regulation; Tariffs

This lesson provides an overview of the various forms of regulation which govern and/or affect commercial cargo transportation. Although economic regulation of cargo transportation in the U.S. has greatly declined, regulation of commercial practices remains for certain modes, and safety-related regulation has increased.

(Estimated study time: 30 minutes)

Cargo Carrier Tariffs

This lesson covers the generic features, distinct sections and typical content of cargo transportation tariffs.

(Estimated study time: 58 minutes)

Cargo Freight Rate Structures/Charges

In this lesson we take up many factors which influence cargo transportation costs (for example, transportation mode, distances involved, cargo characteristics and shipper/carrier circumstances influence cost) and rate basis (that is, type of rate, and the unit of measure on which it is computed).

(Estimated study time: 43 minutes)

Additional Factors Which Influence Freight Rates

This lesson continues the topic of how cargo transportation costs are affected by what is being shipped, distance, and special handling requirements and, of course, mode of transportation.

(Estimated study time: 51 minutes)

Ocean and Intermodal Freight Rates & Charges

In this lesson we continue our coverage of transportation rates and accessorial charges. Cargo carriers of all modes tend to use the same basic types of rates: commodity rates, class rates, combination rates, and/or lump-sum full-vehicle rates (for example, container rates, FTL or carload/piggyback rates).

(Estimated study time: 50 minutes)

Ocean and Intermodal Freight Rates & Charges, cont.

This lesson focuses freight charges used in ocean and through intermodal transportation involving ocean mode.

(Estimated study time: 45 minutes)

Types of Rates/Charges Used in Air Cargo Transportation

This lesson focuses freight charges used air cargo transportation.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 23 minutes)

Types of Rates/Charges Used in Rail & Truck Transportation; Forwarder Rates

In this final lesson of our course we continue our coverage of transportation rates and accessorial charges by identifying and describing types of rates commonly used in truck and rail transportation.

(Estimated study time: 54 minutes)