Shipment Operations

Once the transport mode is confirmed, ops staff must execute a sequence of operational steps to get cargo on board on time: confirm space with the carrier, monitor container status, declare verified gross mass as required by international regulation, and handle vessel delays. This documentation group covers those core operational steps — in the exact order they occur for an export shipment.

By task

Task

When to use

Article

Place a booking with the carrier

The shipment has a confirmed POL/POD route and you need to secure space and receive a Booking Confirmation.

Carrier Booking (Sea)

Track containers

A container number is assigned and you need to record Empty Pickup, Stuffing, Gate-in, Loaded, or import milestones.

Container Execution Milestones

Declare VGM

The container is Stuffed and you need to submit Verified Gross Mass before the VGM Cutoff.

VGM (Verified Gross Mass)

Handle a missed vessel

A container is Gate-in or Loaded but the carrier reports a rollover, shut out, or failure to load.

Rollover / Not Loaded (Container Exception)

For an end-to-end shipment, read the transport mode article in Transport Modes first, then return to these operational articles when you need to work through each step in depth.