T3u—Introduction to Cargo Transportation for Shippers, Importers, Exporters (U.S.)

Subscriber price: $215.00, Non-subscriber price: $279.00
Estimated total study time: 16 hours 57 minutes [Enroll now]

This course is designed as a primer for entry-level exporter/importer personnel who are or will be involved in selecting and working with any mode of commercial cargo transportation. This course includes U.S. regulatory information. It should also be taken as a foundation by anyone planning to take more advanced cargo-related courses.

Individuals wishing to learn more basics about U.S. Export and Import processes should also consider completing the following GISTnet courses:

Cargo Transportation—Basic Concepts and Issues (U.S.)

In this lesson we begin to take up the primary modes of cargo transportation and examine their respective characteristics, advantages and limitations.

Regardless of which transportation modes we may have a particular interest in based on our current work or job assignment, everyone involved in cargo routing, carrier selection or cargo documentation should have at least a basic understanding of the comparative characteristics of all commercial modes of transportation. This is especially true of anyone involved in routing intermodal movements and/or determining which combination of transport modes should be used in meeting specific shipment needs.

(Estimated study time: 46 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes, Beginning with Inland and Intra-Coastal Waterways

In this lesson we begin an overview of the primary modes of cargo transportation, beginning with inland waterway.

Regardless of which transportation modes we may have a particular interest in based on our current work or job assignment, everyone involved in cargo routing, carrier selection or cargo documentation should have at least a basic understanding of the comparative characteristics, advantages and limitations of all commercial modes. This is especially true of anyone involved in routing intermodal movements and/or determining which combination of transport modes should be used in meeting specific shipment needs.

(Estimated study time: 35 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes: Deep Sea Shipping

This lesson addresses the history pf deep sea (ocean) cargo transportation, and compares the advantages and limitations of this mode vs. other modes.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 31 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes: Rail Transportation

This lesson addresses the history of rail transportation, and compares the advantages and limitations of this mode vs. other modes.

(Estimated study time: 53 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Modes: Air Cargo Transportation

This lesson addresses the history of air cargo transportation, and compares the advantages and limitations of this mode vs. other modes.

(Estimated study time: 41 minutes)

Transportation Modes: Truck Transportation; Cost Comparisons Among Modes

(Estimated study time: 37 minutes)

Cargo Transportation Trends as Part of Broader Logistics Services

This lesson addresses long-term and recent trends in cargo transportation as it relates to the services of cargo consolidators, integrated carriers, and 3PLs (door-to-door logistics).

(Estimated study time: 47 minutes)

Shipper-to-Carrier Relationship

This lesson defines the three alternative types of relationship between cargo transportation carriers and shipper.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 8 minutes)

Direct vs. Indirect Carriage; Carrier-to-Carrier Relationships; Freight Forwarders

In this lesson we explain and differentiate between direct carriage provided by asset-operating carriers (e.g., shipping lines operating vessels, airline, truck operators), and indirect carriage in which freight forwarders issue their own contracts of carriage to shippers. This enables forwarders to provide several value-added services that a shipper would not typically receive from a direct carrier, and particularly on small shipment. Indirect carriage plays a prominent role in ocean, air and through intermodal movement.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 8 minutes)

Transportation Carrier Regulation; Tariffs

(Estimated study time: 30 minutes)

U.S. Transportation Carrier Regulation

This lesson addresses the various types of U.S. regulation of commercial cargo transportation, and the U.S. Agencies that perform such regulation.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 1 minute)

Cargo Transportation Carrier Tariffs

This lesson covers the generic features, distinct sections and typical content of cargo transportation tariffs.

(Estimated study time: 49 minutes)

Cargo Freight Rate Structures/Charges

In this lesson we take up many factors which influence cargo transportation costs (for example, transportation mode, distances involved, cargo characteristics and shipper/carrier circumstances influence cost) and rate basis (that is, type of rate, and the unit of measure on which it is computed).

(Estimated study time: 43 minutes)

Additional Factors Which Influence Freight Rates

This lesson continues the topic of how cargo transportation costs are affected by what is being shipped, distance, and special handling requirements and, of course, mode of transportation.

(Estimated study time: 51 minutes)

Ocean and Intermodal Freight Rates & Charges

In this lesson we continue our coverage of transportation rates and accessorial charges. Cargo carriers of all modes tend to use the same basic types of rates: commodity rates, class rates, combination rates, and/or lump-sum full-vehicle rates (for example, container rates, FTL or carload/piggyback rates).

(Estimated study time: 50 minutes)

Ocean and Intermodal Freight Rates & Charges, cont.

This lesson focuses freight charges used in ocean and through intermodal transportation involving ocean mode.

(Estimated study time: 45 minutes)

Types of Rates/Charges Used in Air Cargo Transportation

This lesson focuses freight charges used air cargo transportation.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 23 minutes)

Types of Rates/Charges Used in Rail & Truck Transportation; Forwarder Rates

In this final lesson of our course we continue our coverage of transportation rates and accessorial charges by identifying and describing types of rates commonly used in truck and rail transportation.

(Estimated study time: 54 minutes)

Transportation Carrier Liability for Cargo Loss or Damage; Overview of Cargo Insurance

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 4 minutes)