GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Transshipment
Transshipment occurs when cargo is transferred from one vessel, vehicle, or aircraft to another during transit – for instance, from a mainline container ship to a feeder vessel at a hub port, or from a train to a truck at an intermodal terminal.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transshipment
Category
Check transit time: city-to-city index
Reading time
1 min
Words
126
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
Transshipment occurs when cargo is transferred from one vessel, vehicle, or aircraft to another during transit – for instance, from a mainline container ship to a feeder vessel at a hub port, or from a train to a truck at an intermodal terminal. Major transshipment hubs bundle and redistribute freight flows across global networks, making them central nodes in container shipping and air freight. For shippers and freight forwarders, transshipment introduces additional handling charges, extends transit time, and raises the risk of damage through extra loading and unloading cycles. From a customs perspective, transshipment can be significant when goods pass through a free port or bonded warehouse during the transfer. Not to be confused with warehousing operations or inventory turnover, which use related but distinct terminology.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
Connect
Find a matching partner on this lane
Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.
Related News
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.