NVOCC

An NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) is a logistics company that operates as a common carrier — accepting cargo, issuing its own House Bill of Lading (HBL), and assuming responsibility for the shipment — without owning or operating the vessels themselves. NVOCCs purchase slot space from shipping lines (Master Bills of Lading), consolidate cargo from multiple shippers, and resell it under their own bills.

NVOCCs are critical for LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidation, where smaller shipments from different shippers are combined into one container. They handle the entire logistics chain — booking, documentation, customs filing, port handling, and final delivery coordination — while the actual ocean transport is performed by the underlying shipping line.

In regulatory terms, NVOCCs in the US must register with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and post a bond. In other jurisdictions, similar registration requirements apply.