Liner Services

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A liner service is one which provides vessels that ply on fixed routes on a regular schedule between groups of ports. Liner services offer cargo space to all shippers who require them. They shall sail on schedule dates, irrespective of whether they are full or not.

It is this regular scheduled service that defines a liner service. Hence, it is vitally important for the shipowner to ensure that his ships keep to the scheduled arrival and sailing dates, or else the reputation of the service will then decline.

In order to maintain a regular service and to cover a wide range of ports, liner operations usually involves an adequately sizeable fleet and a fairly large on shore establishment. Some liner operators joined up together by pooling their ships to establish a consortium. The enlarged fleet of ships will enable the consortium to increase its service frequency and expand its geographical coverage.

Prior to the introduction of containers, cargo liners comprised mainly on conventional or breakbulk vessels which are designed to carry general cargo. Some of them been constructed with cold rooms to facilitate the shipment of refrigerated cargo and deep tanks for shipment of bulk liquids such as latex and oils.

Since the introduction of containerisation in the early 70s, liner operators have been phasing out conventional vessels and replacing them with container vessels.

Liner services fall into two groups, namely conference line and non-conference lines.

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