Frequently Asked Questions
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| General Questions |
| 01. What is Evergreen and what does it do? |
| Evergreen Marine Corporation(Taiwan) Ltd. operates Evergreen, a regularly scheduled global marine and intermodal shipping carrier, transporting containerized cargo between ports and destinations in more than 80 countries aboard its extensive merchant fleet, using its own worldwide service network. Please see About Us - Introduction |
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| 02. As a ocean carrier, is Evergreen independent in all trades? |
| Yes, despite membership in certain "talking agreements" with other carriers, Evergreen maintains independence from conferences, preferring to invest in its customers through the largest service contract portfolio in the industry. |
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| 03. How is marine freight regulated, and what does it mean to me? |
| Under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA), the terms and application of charges and terms applied to international commerce to/from USA are strictly regulated. The Act empowers the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to monitor and govern the practices of international carriers, providing among other things that all rates applicable to transport, storage and handling of international cargo must normally be filed with the government, and that all such charges be collected as filed. Furthermore, OSRA makes open rate tariffs a matter of public record, as can be seen on this site (see "Tariff"). This means that(1) Open rates charged are not confidential service contract and negotiation discussions between shippers and carriers may be confidential, if agreed to by the parties. (2) Rates and charges filed must be collected in conformity with tariff in effect at the time shipment is tendered to the carrier. To not abide by these rules would subject both carrier and shipper to penalties for "rebating". (3) Within the limitations of carrier "talking agreements", ship owners are permitted to share information about rate levels in open tariffs, and regarding non-confidential service contracts. New to OSRA, shippers can contract with Evergreen for terms to be filed with the FMC, but in a confidential tariff. (See "Q&A" for more details) |
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| 04. How does Evergreen compare with competitors? |
| Evergreen, as an independent carrier, possesses the world's largest (and newest) ocean-going containerized vessel fleet. It is the second largest carrier serving North America, and ranks first in market share in most of the trades it serves. Evergreen operates a very successful "Round-the-World Service both east and westbound, as well as a large variety of "fixed day services" in Pacific and Atlantic Ocean tradelanes. Evergreen prefers to form partnerships with customers (by contract, etc.) to maintain the turnover necessary to the health of the enterprise. This allows Evergreen to strictly control its inventory of containers, and control its unit costs to the point where we are the envy of our competitors. Evergreen prides itself on the value and service quality it has brought to the industry. |
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| 05. How does Evergreen assure service quality? |
| With an internal "Quality Management System" established in all Evergreen offices, with dedicated Quality assurance staff answering to MGT. On-time delivery, smooth operation and service quality are under strict control to assure that our customers? expectations for service, reliability and cost are met. Evergreen complies with International Standards ISO9002 in all locations, and is certified under that standard in Germany, England and Japan. Certification in the USA and Canada is in preparation. Vessel and corporate safety is certified under the terms of the International Safety Management (ISM) standard. Evergreen complies with all international and national protocols for safe, environmentally sound operations (SOLAS, OPA90, IMDG, etc.) in conformity with the rules of its vessels' classification societies (NKK, ABS). Evergreen boasts an extremely low claims ratio, and is renown for its strict adherence to safety, highway weight restrictions and proper documention requirements. |
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| 06. What further services/capabilities is Evergreen developing? |
| Revised vessel rotations in 1997 will cut transit time and upgrade service quality in the Trans-Pacific trade. Evergreen began service between North and South America last year and new rotation changes in May will improve transit time to Venezuela and Brazil. An aggressive "newbuilding" program and a commitment to global container tracking and other EDI transactions via the internet (in constant development) are further evidence of our commitment to be ready for future customer requirements. |
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| 07. I've got more questions. Who can I contact for answers? |
| Please click Offices/Agents to find the nearest office for further questions. Given our flat organizational structure, and our policy of maintaining full-service local offices with experienced staff at many North American locations, our staff is uniquely qualified to answer the broadest range of questions and concerns regarding these and other industry issues. We look forward to being of service. |
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| 08. What is OSRA? |
| OSRA stands for Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Please see news for more details. |
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| Export Questions |
| 01. What steps must I take to ship cargo via ocean carrier? |
| A simple phone call can start you on your way. Please click Offices for the nearest Evergreen office to discuss your shipping needs. |
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| 02. What rates apply to my shipment? |
| A filed rate must exist before a booking can be accepted, regardless whether freight is prepaid or collect. A corresponding rate of any shipment/booking can come from any of the three means: 1- an established tariff rate based on commodity with an assigned harmonized code. 2- Special Quotation. If a rate does not exist or you feel the current tariff rate is out of date, you can contact a local office near you and we will quote you a rate based on the information given. Lastly, A rate can also be provided through a signed service contract. Please see Q3 on who can negotiate for special "service contract."You might consider to ask for special quote rates come in various types. Open tariff rates may exist to cover your shipment check "Rates" by commodity name to see, since rates expire frequently without prior notice. The quote to be offered and applied is based on your cargo volume, nature, origin and destination. To be effective for your shipment, the quote must must be published this website before shipment, and it's up to the party booking the cargo to inform the booking clerk of any special quotation number at the time of booking to arrange this filing. Special quotes aren't necessary for moves made under service contract, but it's still worth checking at the time of booking to make sure that the cargo and merchant concerned have acceptable rates in place. |
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| 03. Who can negotiate for special ?service contract? rates? |
| Anyone. Rate quotation is sensitive to volume, but not as much as you might think. Cargo origin and destination (and equipment availability) are even more critical criteria. It could be that the shipments you intend to make would fit into a service contract proposal. Any of our account representatives would be glad to discuss this with you. Service Contracts are not published on this site, except for a few legal terms required by the FMC (e.g., commodity, duration, etc.). Please click Offices for the nearest office/agency location. |
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| 04. Where can I book Cargo? |
| You can book cargo with any Evergreen office or agent, and it is most cost effective to book with the office nearest you. In the event that you are attempting to book cargo to move immediately (same day or similar), you can sometimes expedite the process by checking for equipment availability and making the booking at the control office nearest to actual cargo origin. We regret to say that Evergreen Offices/Agents and agents are not able to directly book cargo originating outside our respective control territory (i.e., the far east and Europe). Call any of our sales or logistics/traffic offices for details. |
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| 05. Where can I pick-up/deliver a container? |
| You can pick-up/deliver a container at the terminal/depot/rail ramp designated by Evergreen as long as cargo booking has been made. Contact our local logistics/traffic office or your nearest sales office for location details. We employ a large number of terminals, ramps and depots in many major and out-of-the-way locations, and these often serve specific routes. It pays to call ahead you may not know which ramp or depot is the right one to pick up and deliver containers for a specific shipment. |
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| 06. I need door pick-up. How is this done? |
| Please indicate this requirement when you make cargo booking. The container delivery to/from your location will be put in trucker work order by us if we are using our nominated (house) trucker. However, if the trucker to be used has been nominated by others, the work order and instructions are typically made by you or your agent. Advanced notice required. How much in advance will depend on the trip required, the nature of the cargo and equipment availability. Barring special issues, for short trips to and from the pier, you must give at least 24 hours notice prior to the vessel cut-off to secure space on a vessel. |
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| 07. Evergreen offers double-stack train service. How and with whom? |
| vergreen contracts with most major US Railroads. See the attached current service map. |
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| 08. Who prepares my Bill of Lading and where can it be issued? |
| The Bill of Lading is prepared and mostly issued by the office designated to do so by you (or your forwarding agent). At your advance request, the Bill of Lading can alternatively be issued at an Evergreen office or agent at any of our locations worldwide. We offer Bill of Lading instruction and remote print of B/L's via this website. Please click Bill of Lading. |
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| 09. How do I track my cargos? |
| See Cargo Tracking to query via the internet, or call, fax or EDI query to any of our Evergreen Offices/Agents for an update, which are available in or near "real-time" from North American locations, and daily from overseas points and ports. |
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| 10. When is my cargo cut-offs? |
| Normally, our port Full Container Load cut-off is 24 working hours prior to the vessel arrival. For other cut-offs such as inland, rail, LCL, Hazardous, Reefers, automobiles and other special cases please contact your nearest sales or logistics office for details. |
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| Import Questions |
| 01. What steps should I take to ship cargo via ocean carrier? |
| A simple phone call can start you on your way. Please click Offices for the nearest Evergreen office to discuss your shipping needs. |
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| 02. What rates apply to my shipments? |
| A filed rate must exist before a booking can be accepted, regardless whether freight is prepaid or collect. A corresponding rate of any shipment/booking can come from any of the three means: 1- an established tariff rate based on commodity with an assigned harmonized code. 2- Special Quotation. If a rate does not exist or you feel the current tariff rate is out of date, you can contact a local office near you and we will quote you a rate based on the information given. Lastly, A rate can also be provided through a signed service contract. Please see "Who can negotiate for special service contract ?". You might consider to ask for special quote rates come in various types. Open tariff rates may exist to cover your shipment check "Rates" by commodity name to see, since rates expire frequently without prior notice. The quote to be offered and applied is based on your cargo volume, nature, origin and destination. To be effective for your shipment, the quote must must be published this website before shipment, and it's up to the party booking the cargo to inform the booking clerk of any special quotation number at the time of booking to arrange this filing. Special quotes aren't necessary for moves made under service contract, but it's still worth checking at the time of booking to make sure that the cargo and merchant concerned have acceptable rates in place. |
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| 03. Where can I pick-up/deliver a container? |
| You can pick-up/deliver a container at the terminal/depot/rail ramp designated by Evergreen as long as cargo booking has been made. Contact our local logistics/traffic office or your nearest sales office for location details. We employ a large number of terminals, ramps and depots in many major and out-of-the-way locations, and these often serve specific routes. It pays to call ahead you may not know which ramp or depot is the right one to pick up and deliver containers for a specific shipment. |
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| 04. Evergreen offers double-stack train service. How and with whom? |
| Evergreen contracts with most major US Railroads. See the attached current service map. |
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| 05. What are Evergreen's transit times by vessel? |
| Please see Sailing Schedule to check transit times of any vessel. |
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| 06. How do I know when my cargo has arrived/cleared Customs? |
| Evergreen is a paperless AMS carrier, with electronic connections allowing brokers and other concerned parties to access Customs arrival and release codes for consignments with Evergreen. Additionally, Evergreen arranges computerized "e-fax" arrival notices to those customers kind enough to keep us updated as to pertinent fax numbers to receive these notices. Special large volume arrival reports may be arranged on request of the concerned sales office. |
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| 07. What is my cargo cut-offs? |
| Normally, our port Full Container Load cut-off is 24 working hours prior to the vessel arrival. For other cut-offs such as inland, rail, LCL, Hazardous, Reefers, automobiles and other special cases please contact your nearest sales or logistics office for details. |
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| Trucking Questions |
| 01. How do I become a qualified trucker for Evergreen intermodal cargo? |
| Contact our intermodal department at the pertinent Evergreen logistics office at the origin or destination of cargo you wish to serve. If you can (a) accept current rate scales or improve on them and (b) provide proof of sufficient liability insurance and (c) sign an interchange agreement accepting responsibility for container condition while in your care, your Company can be considered as a qualified trucker. Some further limitations will apply to the carriage of cargo by type and location. Please note, however Evergreen strictly enforces per diem and M&R liabilities per the terms of the interchange agreement. Payment of invoices issued for such charges must be kept current. |
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| 02. What special equipment (chassis, container, etc.) is available? |
| Evergreen does operate some pools of tri-axle and slider chassis where the market demands it, but use of such equipment is restricted to shipments booked or tendered which require them, and cannot normally be provided to truckers on demand. Please call us with any specific query. |
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| 03. What are the USA legal cargo weight limits? |
| Normally, for net cargo weight: 36,000 lbs for 20? container, 43,000 lbs for 40? container. However, weight limits also are set for various localities based on individual axle weight, measured by portable scales, so that even weight distribution in a container is as important as total gross weight. It remains the responsibility of the party stuffing the container to certify and ensure proper loading in conformity with legal limits. |
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| 04. Can you recommend a trucker? |
| Most likely. Call your nearest sales office, or the logistics office closest to your pick-up/delivery with your intended move and we'll give you some suggestions. |
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