Glossary of Shipping Terms

R

Rag Top

A slang term for an open-top trailer or container with a tarpaulin cover.

Rail Division

The amount of money an ocean carrier pays to the railroad for overland carriage.

Rail Grounding

The time that the container was discharged (grounded) from the train.

Ramp

Railroad terminal where containers are received or delivered and trains loaded or discharged. Originally, trailers moved onto the rearmost flatcar via a ramp and driven into position in a technique known as "circus loading." Most modern rail facilities use lifting equipment to position containers onto the flatcars.

Ramp-to-Door

A movement where the load initiates at an origin rail ramp and terminates at a consignee's door.

Ramp-to-Ramp

A movement of equipment from an origin rail ramp to a destination rail ramp only.

Rate Basis

A formula of the specific factors or elements that control the making of a rate. A rate can be based on any number of factors (i.e., weight, measure, equipment type, package, box, etc.).

Reasonableness

Under ICC and common law, the requirement that a rate not be higher than is necessary to reimburse the carrier for the actual cost of transporting the traffic and allow a fair profit.

Rebate

An illegal form of discounting or refunding that has the net effect of lowering the tariff price. See also Malpractice.

Reconsignment

Changing the consignee or destination on a bill of lading while shipment is still in transit. Diversion has substantially the same meaning.

Recourse

A right claim against the guarantors of a loan or draft or bill of exchange.

Red Label

A label required on shipments of flammable articles.

Reefer

Refrigerated container.

Related Points

A group of points to which rates are made the same as or in relation to rates to other points in group.

RFQ

Request for quotation.

Relay

To transfer containers from one ship to another when both vessels are controlled by the same network (carrier) manager.

Remittance

Funds sent by one person to another as payment.

Restricted Articles

Articles handled only under certain conditions.

Revenue Ton (RT)

A ton on which the shipment is freighted. If cargo is rated as weight or measure (W/M), whichever produces the highest revenue will be considered the revenue ton.  Weights are based on metric tons and measures are based on cubic meters.  RT=1 MT or 1 CBM.

Reverse IPI

An inland point provided by an allwater carrier's through bill of lading in the U.S. by first discharging the container in an East Coast port.

"Ro/Ro"

A shortening of the term, "Roll On/Roll Off." A method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.

Roll

To re-book cargo to a later vessel.

Rolling

The side-to-side (athwartship) motion of a vessel.

Route

The manner in which a shipment moves; i.e., the carriers handling it and the points at which the carriers interchange.

Running Gear

Complementary equipment for terminal and overtheroad handling containers.

RVNX

Abbreviation for "Released Value Not Exceeding." Usually used to limit the value of goods transported.The limitation refers to carrier liability when paying a claim for lost or damaged goods.

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