GISTnet T1u—Introduction to Cargo Transportation for Intermediaries (U.S.)

GISTnet Table of Contents Glossary CFR Exhibits Referrals Countries My Page Help

T1u—Introduction to Cargo Transportation for Intermediaries (U.S.)

Non-subscriber price: $185.00, Subscriber price: $140.00
Estimated total study time: 12 hours 2 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.

Lesson #1u: Our Role as Transportation Intermediaries

This course looks at the world of international cargo transportation from the perspective of the various "players." This first lesson sets up our topic by focusing on the knowledge responsibility of the freight forwarder (also knows as a transportation intermediary), who, as the shipper's agent and/or indirect carrier must make many 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: 44 minutes)

Lesson #2u: Freight Forwarder Functions; Basic Cargo Concepts

This second lesson covers very basic concepts and issues which will shape our perception of, and affect our decisions concerning, commercial cargo transportation. Also covered are the the basic operational functions of a "freight forwarder," now and in the future.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 20 minutes)

Lesson #3u: Cargo Transportation Modes

In this lesson we begin to take up the primary modes of cargo transportation and examine their respective characteristics, advantages and limitations.

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 of all commercial modes of transportation. 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: 1 hour 36 minutes)

Lesson #4u: Relationship between Shipper and Carrier

This lesson defines the three alternative types of relationship between cargo transportation carriers and shipper, as well as the contractual and operational differences between direct and indirect carriage.

(Estimated study time: 2 hours 6 minutes)

Lesson #5u: Carrier Regulation

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: 1 hour 48 minutes)

Lesson #6u: Cargo Carrier Tariffs

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

(Estimated study time: 50 minutes)

Lesson #7u: Types of Shipping Rates/Charges - "Rate Basis"

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

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 13 minutes)

Lesson #8u: Shipping Rates used in Ocean/Intermodal Transportation

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 (e.g., container rates, FTL or carload/piggyback rates, etc.).

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 23 minutes)

Lesson #9u: Types of Cargo Rates as used in Truck, Rail and Air Transportation

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, rail and airfreight transportation.

(Estimated study time: 59 minutes)