NVOCC vs Freight Forwarder vs Carrier

NVOCC vs Freight Forwarder vs Carrier

What are their roles and responsibilities?

How do they differ from one another?

In this sheet, we compare these often interchangeably used terms to highlight some key points.

In it you will find:

DEFINITION

NVOCC

Acts as a carrier without owning vessels; issues its own bills of lading.

Freight Forwarder

Intermediary that arranges transport and handles logistics but does not issue bills of lading as a carrier.

Carrier

Owns transportation means (e.g., ships, trucks) and directly transports goods.


SERVICES

NVOCC

Consolidates shipments, rents space from carriers, and sells it to shippers.

Freight Forwarder

Arranges cargo space, consolidates shipments, handles documentation and logistics.

Carrier

Provides point-to-point transport of goods under a contract of carriage.

And a lot more.