Freight Glossary
Transshipment – Meaning & Examples
The transfer of cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate port during transit.
- Related terms
- transhipment, cargo transfer, relay port
Transshipment (also spelled transhipment) is the process of unloading cargo from one vessel and loading it onto another at an intermediate port en route to the final destination. This is common on trade routes where direct services don't exist or where hub-and-spoke networks are used. Transshipment increases transit time and handling but enables shipping lines to serve more ports efficiently. Major transshipment hubs include Singapore, Rotterdam, and Dubai.
Transshipment examples
- Cargo from Vietnam to Brazil may transship in Singapore, transferring to a different vessel for the South American leg.
How Transshipment is used in freight operations
Transshipment appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Transshipment?
The transfer of cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate port during transit.
What is an example of Transshipment?
Cargo from Vietnam to Brazil may transship in Singapore, transferring to a different vessel for the South American leg.