Freight Glossary
NVOCC – Meaning & Examples
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier - a company that consolidates cargo and issues its own bills of lading without owning ships.
- Related terms
- non-vessel operating common carrier, ocean intermediary, shipping consolidator
A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) is a shipping intermediary that acts as a carrier to shippers while being a shipper to actual ocean carriers. NVOCCs buy space on vessels in bulk and resell it to smaller shippers, providing competitive rates through consolidation. They issue their own House Bills of Lading (HB/L) and take responsibility for cargo from origin to destination. In the US, NVOCCs must be licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and file tariffs.
NVOCC examples
- An NVOCC consolidates LCL cargo from multiple shippers into one FCL container, issuing each shipper their own bill of lading.
How NVOCC is used in freight operations
NVOCC appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is NVOCC?
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier - a company that consolidates cargo and issues its own bills of lading without owning ships.
What is an example of NVOCC?
An NVOCC consolidates LCL cargo from multiple shippers into one FCL container, issuing each shipper their own bill of lading.