Carrier haulage

Carrier haulage is inland container transport arranged by the shipping line, who moves the box between the port and the shipper’s or consignee’s inland point as part of a through service and bills it on the ocean bill of lading. The carrier uses its own equipment and subcontracts a road or rail haulier, but remains liable for the inland leg. The alternative is merchant haulage, where the shipper or consignee organizes the inland move with a carrier of its own choice and the line’s liability ends at the port. Carrier haulage simplifies a single point of contact and one combined invoice; merchant haulage gives the cargo owner control over haulier selection, scheduling, and rates.