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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Shipping Goods (English for Logistics)


Let us START:
Do you know what these markings present? Discuss with a partner. Try to label the shipping marking with the correct words.
Do you know any other markings?
Question 1: Here is an extract from a manual providing rail loading instructions. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
Carefully, attention, overhanging, sure, place, examine, secure, instructions, fit, distribute, exceeded, diagonally
1.       ____ vehicle carefully.
2.       Do not place items ____ across the wagon.
3.       When loading is complete, ensure that it fully complies with the ____ given in our Rail Instructions Manual.
4.       Examine load carefully and make ____ it is undamaged and suitable for loading.
5.       ____ longer, heavier pieces on the bottom of the load.
6.       Make sure that load is ____.
7.       Ensure vehicle is ____ to be loaded.
8.       Strap ____ loads.
9.       When checking the vehicle, give special ____ to door securing mechanisms.
10.   Examine vehicle and load ____ after loading.
11.   ____ load as evenly as possible and make sure wheels are evenly loaded.
12.   Check whether vehicle capacity has not been ____.

Question 2: Now match the correct sentences with the instructions below.
a.       Before loading: 1, ____
b.      During loading: ____
c.       After loading: ____
Question 3: Match the beginnings of the sentences (1-8) with the endings (a-h).
1.       Remove protruding
2.       Cover the damaged wall
3.       Secure the load to
4.       Fill empty
5.       Replace damaged pallets
6.       Align the load
7.       Stack the boxes
8.       Seal the container after
a.       Prevent movement
b.      On pallets.
c.       Vertically.
d.      Staples or nails.
e.      Spaces between products
f.        Loading is complete.
g.       Of the container
h.      With new ones.
EXPLAINING HOW TO DO SOMETHING
When explaining how to do something, you can use the imperative form of the verb, use the infinitive without to , like this:
Examine the load carefully.
Do not overload the vehicle.

Question 4: Complete this email about an urgent shipment with prepositions from the box.
By
On
With
In
Out
To
Between
Of

Sonja
I’m afraid there is a problem ____ (1) the scheduled deliveries ____ (2) France next week. Our customer GPL Pharma in Brest has just informed me that tyey are already ____ (3) of stock and need an urgent delivery of the 5mg 30 and 90 piece packs this week instead ____ (4) next week.
If possible, we must try to make one partial delivery ____ (5) Wednesday (or as soon as the packaging is finished) of the 5mg 30 packs.

We need a direct truck ____ (6) our production plant in Germany and Brest. If we can ship the first part on Wednesday morning, the truck should arrive ____ (7) Brest on Thursday afternoon.

The second delivery should be made on Friday with the rest of the 5mg and 90 packs. As the products are needed ____ (8) Monday, the truck must be unloaded in Brest on Saturday or Sunday.

Please let me know if there are any problems!

Regards
Hasan Zaman
Logistic Manager

Question 5: Sonja an Jon are discussing the urgent delivery over the phone. Listen and answer the questions.
1.       Can they use one of their usual forwarding agents?
2.       How long would the fastest delivery service take?
3.       Would express delivery be a good option?
4.       Why is it not possible to deliver at the weekend?
5.       What does Jon want to do next?
Question 6: Put the words in the order they are mentioned in the dialogue. Then listen again to check.
1.       Really/ here/ I think/ a problem / we’ve / got
2.       Use / this shipment/ our/ for / one/ unfortunately/ we can’t / of / regular forwarders
3.       We/ smaller/ this/ deliveries/ means/ partial/ that/ would/ have several
4.       Have to / a loat more/ and / as /we’d / pay/ a result/
5.       Saturdays and Sundays / because of / deliver/ we/ can’t / at the weekend/ driving ban / on/ the HGV
6.       Problems/ this delivery/ on idea/ I/ would/ cause / so many/ had.
INFORMING SOMEONE ABOUT PROBLEMS
Telling someone that something cannot be handled in the way it was planned or that something has gone wrong can be difficult. That’s why it is important to stay calm and use polite language. It is usually a good idea to say what the problem is exactly and then explain the situation. We often use beginnings such as I’m afraid … or I’m sorry, but …. even if we are not responsible for the problem.
First, we give a brief introduction and then go on to explain the situation in more detail:
I’m afraid, there is a problem with customs clearance.
I’m sorry, but there will be a delivery delay.

We may also want to give reasons for the problem:
The delay was caused by a rail strike in Italy.
The consignment has to be repacked because the carton is damaged.
There was a delay because of bad weather.
There was a delay because the weather was bad.

We may also want to talk about contrast, e.g. when we explain that there was a problem, but it hasn’t affected the outcome.
 Although the load wasn’t secured properly, it arrived intact.
The load wasn’t secured properly, but it arrived intact.
In spite of the strike, the consignment arrived on time.
Despite being delayed, the consignment arrived on time.
Sometimes we also need to explain the consequences of certain events:
The result was that the goods didn’t leave the warehouse until Friday.
As a result the shipment arrived two hours late.
There’s fog at the airport so the flight has not taken off yet.

Question 7: Complete the sentences with words from the box.
So
Because
Although
Due
As a result
Despite
Because
In spite of

1.       Our customer wants to ship valuable freight, ____ we need to think about insurance.
2.       As part of the ship ment seems to be damaged ____ of rough handling.
3.       ____ the customer needed them urgently, the goods couldn’t be delivered at the weekend.
4.       The flight was cancelled ____ to bad weather.
5.       The driver dad the wrong address, ____, it took him there hours to deliver the pallets.
6.       The consignment arrived on time ____ all the customs formalities at the border.
7.       We are unable to ship today ____ we’ve had problems with our dispatch.
8.       ____ being well secured, load was damaged on arrival.
Question 8: Choose the correct words to complete these sentences.
1.       The documents stated the wrong quantities. As a reason/result/cause, the shipment was not accepted at the warehouse.
2.       The delay was found/noticed/caused by an accident on the motorway.
3.       When I spoke to the logistics manager, it noticed/saw/turned out that they had used different packing material.
4.       Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver the consignment due to/because/so technical problems in our warehouse.
5.       Although/in spite of/but the delay, the delivery will still arrive on time.
6.       What is the cause/reason/result for this delay?
Question 9: Suppose you are a freight forwarder. Now, call your imagery Partner to inform him/her about a delivery delay. Try to use all you have learnt from this section.
Question 10: There are six mistakes in this email. Can you correct them?
Email
Subject: Advice of Dispatch

Dear Cheng
Please find attach the following documents: delivery note N 70007108, packing list and shipping order.

Our forwarder has just picked up the goods from our warehouse. The goods should be at your disposal at Monday 31 October 2009.
Please notice that a copy of the batch certificate will be send to you as soon as possible by email. Ass as we receive the origingal batch certificate we will send it to you.
If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Regards
Ana Garcia
Logistic Manager

ADVICE OF SHIPMENT
When dealing with shipments to customers, it is common practice to advise them a shipment has been sent. Often details on departure and arrival times, order numbers, and documents are given.
We are pleased to inform you that your order has been dispatched by truck today.
Order No 3012 has been dispatched by flight BA2334 today.
We are pleased to advise that your order no. 23/se6867 was shipped on board the vessel ‘Sea Way’.
The consignment is due to arrive in Sydney on August 25th.
The above order has been handed over to our forwarding agents today.
The consignment will be delivered to your warehouse in Brussels.

Question 11: Write a similar email informing a customer about dispatch.
Include the following information:
1.       The order number.
2.       When the consignment was sent.
3.       How the consignment was shipped (road, air, rail, sea).
4.       Where it will be delivered.
5.       When it will arrive at the customer’s site.
Question 12: Match the words (1-5) with the pictures (a-e).
1.       Bale
2.       Chest
3.       Barrel/cask
4.       Drum
5.       Crate
Question 13: Match the items in the exercise 12 with the correct definition.
a.       Large cylindrical container with a flat bottom and top. It is made of wood and is used for liquids.
b.      Wooded box made of wooden slats. It can be open or closed and is used for packing goods.
c.       Large package of presspacked goods (often raw material), which is tightly bound, wrapped, and banded.
d.      Sturdy box with a lid which is made of metal and often used for storage.
e.      Cylindrical metal container for liquids.
Question 14: USTF, international freight forwarders based in Chicago, give some shipping instructions on their website. Complete the sentences with words form the box.
Mark
Clearance
Withstand
Weight
Appointed
Exhibitor
Importing
Individually

Shipping Instructions
As the official international freight forwarder _____ by EXPO CHICAGO, we will co-ordinate all international shipments and arrange customs _____ for this event. Please carefully read the following information regarding shipping requirements for _____ goods into the US.

Packing and Marking
1.       Ensure that all boxes are securely packed in order to _____ handling by carriers and onsite contractors.
2.       Clearly _____ all cartoons, cases, or crates on two sides.
3.       If you ship your goods in a container, make sure that all cartons are _____ marked and labeled in the following manner:

Address:
Name of _________________________________:
Number of stand:
Case number (….) of (….)
Total __________ in kg: