What Is The Difference Between A Liner and Tramp Service?

  • April 30, 2021
  • Blog

How can you ship goods from one international destination to another? Yes, it’s via air or ocean transport through which freight forwarders or shippers transport the consignment to the final delivery point.  Unlike air freight, sea freight has some options, a shipper can choose between Liner and Tramp Services. In this article let’s understand both these terms and their differences.

The Liners

The name liners have been derived from the word ‘Line Voyages’ which means a voyage or trip that follows a set schedule and route.  The ships that move shipments across the routes are called liners, following strict routes, and schedules and delivering on time under all circumstances unless there is a delay caused by natural events.
These liner ships not only carry shipments through containers but provide other services also from RORO services, bulk cargo service to breakbulk service.
Do you how many types of liner services are available:

  • Independent service
  • Conference service
  • Consortia service
  •  Alliance service 

Tramp Service
A tramp service, also called a tramper is a service that is even available at a short notice, so it does not follow any strict schedule or routes. With tramp service, goods can be on and offloaded at any port. Trampers are also used to carry bulk cargo, apart from usual cargoes.
Let’s understand the difference between Liner service and Tramp Service

Liner Service Tramp Service
Liner service follows a fixed route and schedule as well as the destination. Tramp service does not have a fixed schedule or route and is even available at a short notice. It is less expensive and even has the capability to fit in ships with lesser speed.
The liner owners follow pre-defined rules, terms, and conditions related to the carriage and delivery of the cargo. There are no such conditions for tramp services.
The liners have modern equipment through which loading and unloading can be faster. Trampers generally do not take a huge load, they prefer to transport one or two shippers’ consignments and limit their loading and loading to a lesser number of ports.
The freight rates are fixed The freight rates are negotiable
The liner ship is huge enough with many facilities to carry even refrigerated items. They can carry a variety of goods. As the liner has many cabins and compartments, it has the capability to contain consignments from multiple shippers and can place them accordingly.
 		 Tramps are a little smaller and can carry only simple and uniform cargo in larger quantities. It can carry only one kind of specific goods at a time.

Now you know the difference between liner and tramper, so next time you connect to a freight forwarder, you will be able to convey your requirement more clearly. In case, you would like to move a large cargo to the consignee, with a strict schedule and at regular intervals, you can choose a liner; otherwise, you can easily opt for tramper or tramp service for a random consignment and negotiate the price accordingly.