International Transportation and Logistics

Transportation is arguably the most critical component of global supply chains. Logistics is that part of supply chain management that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and point of consumption in order to meet customers’ requirements.

Key skills for working in logistics include a results focus, initiative, flexibility, self-motivation, and a commercial understanding of how IT facilitates supply chain management.

    Interpersonal skills are crucial, as a significant part of the role involves links with suppliers and customers. While graduates from all disciplines will be considered, a second language can be an advantage.

Transport managers need a comprehensive understanding of the local and international air freight, road freight and ocean carrier market. Key skills include strong planning and organizational ability, the ability to work effectively to tight deadlines, problem solving and negotiation skills.

The main logistics jobs are:

· Foreign freight forwarders – handlers of a myriad of foreign freight services: rate quotes, vessel chartering, booking of vessel space, handling of documentation and cargo insurance, tracing and expediting, arranging inland transportation and providing translation services.

· Export management companies – suppliers of expertise to those wishing to sell products overseas but lacking the necessary resources.

· Export trading companies – locaters of overseas buyers. They also handle export documentation, transportation and the meeting of foreign government requirements.

· Customs brokers – overseers of the movement of goods through Customs. They also ensure that accompanying documents are complete and accurate.

· Ship brokers – sales representatives for ship owners and purchasing representatives for the shipper.

· Ship agents – local representative of the ship operator that handles the ship’s arrival, berthing, clearance, loading and unloading.

· Export packers – suppliers of export packaging services.

· Port authorities – owner and operator of the port. They provide wharf, dock, and other terminal facilities at port locations.

Exercise 6. Scan Text 1 again to find the English equivalents for:

таможенные представители; организаторские способности; иностранные экспедиторы; требования клиентов (заказчиков); навыки ведения переговоров; рынок морских перевозчиков; судовые брокеры; ключевые навыки; необходимые ресурсы;котировки курса; сжатые сроки; поставщики экспортных упаковочных услуг; терминальный комплекс.

Exercise 7. Read Text 2 to describe the main documents used in transportation of goods.

Text 2

Documentation

Every mode of transport has its own specific document for carrying out transportation.

    The main document used in air transportation is the Air Waybill (AWB), which consists of 12 copies distributed to the airline, exporter, importer, and Customs. For sea transport it is the bill of lading shortened frequently to the B/L. For international road freight, the consignment note completed by the haulers is the CMR note[5]. When an exporter uses a road haulier, the haulier’s receipt for the goods is called a CMR note. This is a contract of carriage but is not evidence of ownership of the shipment. The internationally recognized conditions of such transactions are governed by the CMR Convention.

       The bill of lading is one of the oldest documents used in international trade. Bills of lading are issued either by shipping lines or by freight forwarders and also by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA)[6].

       On claiming his goods the customer has to show a Customs clearance form, which allows the goods to be taxed, copies of the certificate of origin, if necessary, commercial invoices, import license, and health certificate for food or animal imports.

       The bill of lading or waybill also has to be produced to prove ownership of the goods, and the Customs issues an out-of-charge note once the goods have been cleared by them.

Exercise 8. Comprehension questions.

1. What is the main document used in air transportation?

2. What is used for sea transport?

3. What is one of the oldest documents used in international trade?

4. What documents does the customer have to present when claiming his goods?

Exercise 9. Match left and right.

1) consignment note	a) разрешение на вывоз с таможни ранее задержанных грузов
2) freight forwarders	b) перевозчик на автодорожном транспорте
3) road haulier	c) импорт продовольственных товаров или товаров животного происхождения
4) out-of-charge note	d) транспортная накладная
5) food or animal imports	e) экспедиторы грузов

Exercise 10. Rewrite the sentences below translating the Russian parts into English.

1. Коносаменты are issued either by судоходные линии or by экспедиторы груза (транспортные агенты), and also by the Международная федерация экспедиторских ассоциаций (FIATA).

2. The накладная or waybill also has to be produced to prove право собственности на товары and the Customs issues разрешение на вывоз с таможни ранее задержанных грузов once the goods have been cleared by them.

3. On claiming his goods the заказчик has to предъявить таможенный сертификат на оформление груза, which allows the товары to be taxed, copies of the сертификат происхождения, if necessary, счет - фактура, and лицензия на импорт, и сертификат здоровья for food or animal imports.

Exercise 11. Scan the background information from Texts 1-4 (below) to list the advantages and disadvantages of different means of transport:

 

Text 1 Transportation by Road	Text 2 Transportation by Train
International transportation of goods by road is the most available and simple type of international transportation: it is quick and cheap. In comparison with railway and air transport road transport is the most beneficial variant for goods transportation considering combination “speed – price – quality”. Road transport tends to be comparatively cheaper and more direct than rail. No other form of transport is used, which reduces the risks of theft and damage. Road vehicles do not run to a timetable which makes road transport more flexible than rail. On the other hand, road transport is slower than rail over long distances. It is not suitable for carrying bulk goods over long distances. Road transport can be slow when there are traffic jams or bad weather.	Rail transport is faster than road, which is necessary especially when transporting perishable goods, i.e. fish, fruit, meat, etc. Rail transport can be used for carrying bulk commodities (oil, grain, coal) in greater volume than road transporters.      One of the advantages of railway transportation in containers is the possibility of “house to house” delivery without the risk of goods integrity loss. Besides, railway transportation in containers is convenient for the companies, which operate with small lots of goods.   Rail transport is more likely to run in poor weather conditions such as fog and snow.   Rail is safer than road for carrying dangerous products such as nuclear waste.
Text 3 Transportation by Sea	Text 4 Transportation by Air
Cargo liners (freighters) run on fixed routes to fixed timetables. In this respect they are similar to passenger trains and buses. They can carry mixed cargoes. A freighter (cargo liner) might be transporting cars, television sets, spare machine parts and fruit. Alternately, they might carry only one type of cargo. For example, a refrigerated cargo liner might only be carrying meat.	Air transport is fast over long distances and could be used for sending emergency medical supplies or perishables such as flowers. Also there is less risk of theft or damage and air could be used for sending high value, low-bulk goods such as diamonds. However, it is expensive, particularly if heavy goods are carried. Only goods of a limited size and weight can be carried. Road transport is needed to take goods to and from airports. Air transport may not be able to operate during poor weather such as fog.

Fill in the following table:

Means of transportation	Advantages	Disadvantages	Goods
Road (автодорожный)
Railway (железнодорожный)
Sea / river / canal (морской / речной)
Air (воздушный)

 

Exercise 12. Read Text “Customs Control of Means of Conveyance” and translate the Russian words in the text from Russian into English.

Choose from:

Personal effects; places under seal; payment of all duties; vessel; premises on board; inward documents; cargo; aircraft; Customs clearance; changes; formalities; confiscation; airfield; in authorized form; person in charge; rummage for contraband; crew; control; outward documents; permit to depart; Customs authority; articles; passengers; duration of their stay; departure; means of conveyance; Customs officer on duty; seals;