The effectuation of shipment signifies the seller’s fulfillment of the obligation
to make delivery of the goods. So far as foreign trade is concerned, shipment
is mostly made by ocean vessels-tramp or liner. A tramp is a freight-carrying
vessel which has no regular route or schedule of sailing. It is first in one trade
and then in another, always seeking those ports where there is a demand at
the moment for shipping space. A liner is a vessel with regular sailings and
arrivals on a stated schedule between specified ports.
In making a single shipment by liner, the first step is to ascertain the rate.
The quotation of a rate for a certain shipment constitutes an offer on the part of
the carrier. If the shipper wishes to make this rate binding, he must accept the proposal
promptly at the rate quoted. The carrier then reserves the required space and delivers
to the shipper or his agent a shipping permit(shipping order). This permit is addressed to
the receiving clerk at the dock. When the goods are delivered to the dock, the shipping
permit is exchanged for a dock receipt or a mate’s receipt, which is a brief statement
from the carrier’s representative at the dock, indicating that the shipment has been
received in apparent good order. This is a temporary receipt which must be exchanged for
the regular ocean bill of lading before the vessel sails.