A booking is the act of reserving a specific slot, space, or time with an ocean carrier, airline, rail provider, or truck line for the movement of cargo.
The booking process is essential for securing freight space. It requires the shipper or freight forwarder to provide the carrier with detailed information about the shipment, including the commodity, exact weight, dimensions, and the required equipment type.
Once the carrier confirms the availability of space and necessary equipment (such as a specialized flat rack), they issue a booking confirmation that includes a unique booking number and specifies the exact location and deadline (cut-off time) for cargo delivery to the port terminal.