Freight, shipping and chartering glossary

Term Meaning
Rail overweight fee Surcharge associated with overweight containers on rail.
Rail Waybill The bill of lading for international rail freight transport.
Rate basis point The major shipping point in a local area; carriers consider all points in the local area to be the rate basis point.
Re-consignment A carrier service that permits a shipper to change the destination and/or consignee after the shipment has reached its originally billed destination and to still pay the through rate from origin to final destination.
Reefer A refrigerated container used to transport perishable goods.
Release Approval Document to advise that goods are available for further movement or action.
Return Cargo A cargo which enables a ship to return loaded to the port or area where her previous cargo was loaded.
Revenue Ton The unit used in billing in the freight industry.
Ro-Ro Ship A vessel for transporting goods on a wheelbase (cars, trucks, railway wagons) and passengers. The fundamental difference between vessels of this type is horizontal loading/unloading through an inclined bow or (usually) stern; this design is called a "ramp."
Rolling Cargo Cargo which is on wheels, such as truck or trailers, and which can be driven or towed on to a ship.