A person employed by the cargo owner or charterer to travel on a vessel and oversee the loading, stowage, care, and discharge of the cargo. The supercargo acts as the representative of the cargo interest and ensures that the goods are handled properly throughout the voyage.
Category: Cargo & Trade
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Letter of CreditA financial instrument issued by a bank on behalf of a buyer guaranteeing payment to the seller upon presentation of specified shipping documents, including the bill of lading.ManifestA comprehensive document listing all cargo carried on a vessel for a particular voyage, including descriptions, quantities, weights, shippers, and consignees.Spot RateThe current market price for chartering a vessel or shipping cargo for immediate or near-term loading, as opposed to long-term contract rates.TEUTwenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measure of container ship capacity based on the dimensions of a standard 20-foot intermodal container (approximately 6.1 metres long, 2.44 metres wide, and 2.59 metres high).Time CharterA charter party agreement in which the shipowner provides a manned and equipped vessel to the charterer for a specified period.Voyage CharterA charter party agreement in which the shipowner agrees to carry a specific cargo between named ports for a negotiated freight rate.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026