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
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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
____.
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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.
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EXPLAINING HOW TO DO SOMETHING
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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.
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Question 4: Complete this email about an urgent shipment
with prepositions from the box.
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By
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On
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With
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In
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Out
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To
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Between
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Of
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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
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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.
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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.
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Question 7: Complete the sentences with words from the box.
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So
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Because
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Although
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Due
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As a result
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Despite
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Because
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In spite of
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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?
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Email
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Subject: Advice of Dispatch
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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
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ADVICE OF SHIPMENT
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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.
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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.
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Mark
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Clearance
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Withstand
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Weight
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Appointed
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Exhibitor
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Importing
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Individually
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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:
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