Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC)

A Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC) is a company that provides ocean freight services without operating its own vessels. NVOCCs act as intermediaries, consolidating shipments from multiple customers and booking space with actual ocean carriers.
NVOCCs play a crucial role in the logistics and shipping industry by offering comprehensive freight services similar to those of vessel-operating carriers. They issue their own bills of lading, known as House Bills of Lading (HBL), to shippers, while receiving Master Bills of Lading (MBL) from the vessel-operating carriers. NVOCCs handle the coordination of cargo from origin to destination, including booking cargo space, consolidating smaller shipments (Less Than Container Load or LCL), and providing additional services such as customs clearance and documentation. By leveraging their relationships with multiple carriers, NVOCCs can offer flexible and cost-effective shipping solutions. They are particularly beneficial for smaller shippers who need access to global shipping networks without directly dealing with major carriers.