Nvocc Number Of Issues

Traditionally, the service industry between foreign trade and transportation is usually called international freight forwarder industry. With the reform and opening-up policy, the market-oriented economy has been further developed, so has the freight forwarder industry. With the years passing by, the freight forwarders are inclined to divide into two types: one, still as agent on behalf of shippers or carriers, undertakes services related to foreign trade and transportation; the other, however, appears as an independent principal in the transportation contract. He is the carrier to the shipper and meanwhile a shipper to the ocean carrier. So in China and some other countries, this kind of service-provider is usually called Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC).In view of several aspects of NVOCC, I present in this paper its definition, its status in law, and its risks in operation. By doing so, I try to make it clear that it has a bright future and is of great significance for the modern ocean transportation.The paper is arranged as follows:In Chapter One, I clearly define NVOCC, clarify some confusions in the definition, and point out its significance for the modern ocean transportation.In Chapter Two, I introduce the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Maritime Transportation, the first code in China related to NVOCC. The Registration System of Bill of Lading, the Deposit System and other rules of non-vessel operation are explained in detail in this chapter.Chapter Three mainly discusses the status of NVOCC in law. He appears as an independent principal in maritime transportation but has dual identities. He is the carrier to the shipper and meanwhile a shipper to the ocean carrier. So it is necessary to identify its status in law and responsibilities hither of. This chapter also analyzes the differences between NVOCC and Combined Transport Operator (CTO) and international freight forwarder.The fourth Chapter analyzes the risks in NVOCC's operation, mainly the risks of infringement of Bill of Lading, the risks of releasing of goods without original Bill of Lading, and the risks of freight loss.As a conclusion, the last chapter points out the status quo and the future of NVOCC in China, and some advice for its development.