Stevedoring (Spanish: muellaje) is the set of operations for loading, unloading, stowing and moving cargo between the vessel and the port precinct. It is carried out by stevedoring companies using cranes, forklifts and operators, coordinated with the shipping agency, to transfer cargo between ship and port in the shortest possible time.
What a stevedoring operation includes
A typical operation includes discharging or loading the vessel, stowing and unstowing (arranging and removing cargo in the hold), container deconsolidation, lashing and securing cargo for transport, and moving it to truck or depot. Everything is coordinated with the shipping agency to reduce the vessel's dwell time at berth.
Stevedoring, stowing and unstowing: the differences
Stevedoring is the broad term covering the whole dock operation. Stowing is the arrangement of cargo inside the vessel's hold, and unstowing its removal. In practice, a stevedoring company like Opazo Muellaje carries out all these tasks in an integrated way at the Port of Antofagasta.
Frequently asked questions
Who carries out stevedoring at a port?
It is carried out by specialised stevedoring companies, with dedicated equipment and operators, coordinated with the shipping agency and port authority. At the Port of Antofagasta, Opazo Muellaje provides these services every day of the year.
What's the difference between stevedoring and ship agency?
The ship agency represents the shipowner before the port and coordinates the call; the stevedoring company physically handles the loading, discharge and movement of the cargo. They work together during each operation.
Sources
Reference information. Confirm the terms and conditions in force with the authorities before each operation.