Shipping with Maersk Spot: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re exploring Maersk services, let’s take a quick look at these common queries.

1. Where is Maersk Spot available?

Maersk Spot is available globally. You can find all available locations on the booking page.

2. Which container types are supported by Maersk Spot?

Maersk Spot offers FCL solutions for shipping dry cargo in 20’, 40’, and 45’ containers.

3. Which inland transport modes are available on Maersk Spot?

All modes of transportation are available on Maersk Spot — ocean, road, and rail.

4. What is the loading guarantee in Maersk?

Maersk’s loading guarantee ensures you receive space on the vessel on the date you’ve booked freight. If, for any reason, we need to load your cargo onto an alternative vessel, the guarantee promises that it will be loaded no more than three (3) days before or after the scheduled estimated time of departure (ETD) as confirmed in the latest booking confirmation sent to you.

For inland transportation bookings, the loading guarantee focuses on timely loading at the initial ocean port. This means that we’ll coordinate your inland delivery in such a way that it allows your cargo to catch the first vessel as planned.

You can read more about our loading guarantee terms & conditions here.

Are you booking for the first time with Maersk? Here are some common queries we receive from clients before or at the time of booking spot freight shipments.

1. How can I book on Maersk Spot?

You can book Maersk Spot online 24/7. Follow these steps for booking on the desktop.

• Sign in to your Maersk account on maersk.com, navigate to ‘Book’, and then click on ‘New Booking’.
• Provide essential booking information like itinerary, commodities, container details, and departure date.
• Choose transport type; decide between port-to-port (CY) or door-to-door (SD) transport.
• Select a departure date, choose ‘rollable’ if needed, and select a convenient schedule.
• Select the origin depot, pick-up date, transport reference, and shipping parties involved. You can also add Freetime Extension or other value-added services as needed.
• Review your details and submit the booking.

For more detailed steps and bookings on other platforms, check here.

2. Can I change a contract Maersk booking to a Spot booking or vice versa?

Unfortunately, you cannot change the booking type from contract to Spot currently.

3. Can a booking with Maersk Spot be amended?

Absolutely. You have the flexibility to modify your Maersk Spot booking and get quick confirmation of the changes. After logging in, simply visit the shipment details section and click ‘Amend’ from the Shipment Details toolbar.

You’ll get transparent information about vessel availability (including deadlines), new freight charges (if applicable), and change fees (if applicable).

After you’ve submitted your amendment request, you’ll receive instant confirmation on the portal within 25 seconds and a PDF copy within 30 minutes.

You can make the following changes to your Maersk Spot booking:

• Change the sailing schedule
• Add or remove containers to your booking
• Update haulage and get information on available equipment origin depot
• Inland and store-door attachment or removal
• Weight or commodity change
• Update price owner
  
  
4. Can I change the haulage pick-up depot, pick-up date, cargo load address, and/or cargo load date?

Yes, you have the flexibility to amend the haulage for both CY (merchant) and SD (store door) with the option of either keeping the same ocean leg or changing it as per your requirements.

5. Can I add, delete, or change the inland/store door in my Maersk Spot booking?

Yes, you can easily make these changes to inland or SD bookings.

6. Can I see price details before modifying a Maersk Spot booking?

Yes, Maersk gives you complete visibility and transparency into the new price and fees before you submit the changes for a booking.

Choosing to allow your cargo to roll will help you cut costs on non-time-sensitive shipments. Here are some common queries on Maersk’s rollable feature.

1. If Maersk Spot has a loading guarantee, why would I select Rollable?

When your cargo isn’t time-sensitive, there’s an option to mark it as ‘rollable’. If, for any reason,get it becomes necessary to roll cargo, goods marked as Rollable will be prioritized for rolling, and in return, you’ll receive compensation.

This option is a win-win; it allows you to optimize transportation costs for your non-time-sensitive cargo while ensuring that your time-sensitive cargo always gets loaded promptly.

2. Does it mean that Maersk Spot shipments not marked as ‘rollable’ will not be rolled?

Yes, we aim not to roll any shipments that aren’t marked as ‘rollable’.

3. Can I remove ‘Rollable’ from an existing Maersk Spot booking?

Yes, you can remove rollable from existing bookings up to 7 days before the expected time of departure (ETD).

4. How do I know if my Rollable shipment gets rolled?

Our representatives will contact you if your shipment gets rolled with all the details of the new transportation plan. You can also check for updates in the Shipment Details section.

5. How much is Maersk going to compensate me in case of rolling a Rollable shipment?

The compensation amount depends on the trade lane. All fees and compensations are available when creating a booking under the Price Breakdown & Details link.

6. If I select Rollable for my Maersk Spot shipment, will I still get equipment priority?

No, it doesn’t depend on the rollable option.

7. If I select Rollable, how many times will my cargo get rolled?

According to our performance data, most shipments get rolled once to the next available vessel. However, in the rare event of a double rolling, you will only be compensated once.

8. In case of rolling, are there any changes to the rate and free time?

No, the confirmed booking rate and free time will remain the same even if your cargo gets rolled. Also, as the sailing schedule will be affected, the dates for free days will be recalculated as per the new departure date.

9. Will the amendment or cancellation fee apply if I select Rollable for my shipment and later need to amend or cancel it?

Yes, the usual terms of amendment and cancellation apply. You can refer to this article for further information.

10. Is Rollable available for US trade?

Yes, it is available.

11. Will I get a ‘rolling guarantee’ with Rollable?

No, the rolling likelihood depends on the selected service’s utilization.

Maersk offers you standard freetime and per diem rates beyond the freetime confirmed in the booking. You can also add a freetime extension to your freight booking. Here’s answering some queries related to D&D and freetime.

1. What is your standard freetime?

Standard freetime differs by location. Refer to local country information for general information.

2. What is D&D cost?

Demurrage and detention (D&D) charges are applied when a container is held beyond the agreed freetime (including extension). Visit the local country information page for more details.

3. What is Maersk Freetime Extension?

Maersk allows you to add extra free days to your shipment at the time of booking or even during mid-journey. This is known as a Freetime Extension. It can be purchased as an add-on service.

4. Will I get a refund if I do not use all of the Freetime Extension bought?

No, refunds will not be issued if a container is returned early. When booking, the price is fixed for the selected number of extra free days. So, you won’t get a refund even if you use fewer free days.

5. How much freetime do I have on my container?

For specific information on Freetime Extension for a particular shipment, visit the Maersk Hub and enter shipment B/L into the ‘Import Demurrage and Detention’ field.

6. Can I transfer the Freetime Extension charge to the consignee?

No, Freetime Extension cannot be transferred to any other party. It is an agreement with the freight payer and can only be invoiced to the freight payer (‘booked by’ party) or their agent.

7. Can I extend export freetime?

Maersk only offers import detention or combined freetime extension.

8. Can I extend demurrage or port storage freetime?

No. Currently, you can only extend import detention or combined freetime.

Answering frequent queries related to prices and charges laid out by Maersk Spot.

1. What does it mean that the shipping price is fixed?

Maersk Spot only displays valid prices, and once you’ve received your booking confirmation, these rates remain fixed. For bookings involving inland transportation, the basic inland rate is also set at the time of booking. Also, note that additional charges or fees, like extra waiting time, may apply. Read our Spot T&Cs for further details.

2. How long is a quote valid for?

Validity differs for each quote. You can check its validity by looking at the start and end dates mentioned in the freight quote.

3. What are penalty fees, and what does a penalty fee cover?

A penalty fee within the Maersk Spot service includes amendment, cancellation, or no-show charges.

• Amendment charges are applicable when changes to the transport plan — such as destination, vessel, or voyage — are requested after receiving the booking confirmation.
• For cancellations, if you decide to cancel part or all of the shipment and the request is submitted more than seven (7) days before the scheduled estimated time of departure, you will incur a cancellation fee.
• However, if the cancellation occurs within seven days or less before the scheduled departure, a no-show fee will be applied. It’s essential to be mindful of these fees when making changes to your booking to avoid any unexpected charges.
  
  
4. What is the process for compensation fees, and what does it cover?

In the rare event that Maersk is unable to fulfill its equipment and loading guarantee (as confirmed in your booking), there is an option to request a compensation fee. For inland transportation, the compensation fee applies when Maersk fails to pick up your cargo on time for the scheduled vessel departure.

Maersk will conduct a review, and if your situation is deemed eligible, a compensation fee will be applied to your invoice. Note that you must provide compensation notice within 90 days of the omission.

5. Are there any exclusions to the applicable fees and charges?

Yes, you are not liable to pay the applicable fee if you fail to deliver your goods for loading due to factors beyond your control. Note that the same terms apply to Maersk, and we have no liability to pay compensation in such cases as force majeure, port omissions due to operational challenges, and such.

You can find a detailed overview of our applicable fees and charges in the Maersk Spot terms & conditions.

We’ve answered some general queries related to Maersk Spot here.

1. How can I track my Maersk bookings for spot freight?

For every Maersk booking tracking, you’ll receive a booking confirmation email. You can easily monitor and track your bookings in the Shipment details section.

As your cargo approaches its destination, you’ll receive an arrival notice email as well. This ensures you have a comprehensive overview of your shipment, from the moment of booking to its arrival, providing peace of mind and transparency throughout the journey.

2. What is a Letter of Authority (LOA)?

An LOA is a document signed by the shipper that allows an agent to act on behalf of the shipper. You can download the LOA format here.

3. What happens if an LOA is not provided for the first Maersk Spot shipment before the first shipment is gated in?

If you don’t provide an LOA, we will have to cancel the shipment.

4. What governing regulations affect bookings on US trades?

In US trades, each Maersk booking is considered a contract. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) mandates that these contracts must be agreed upon with the FMC before the container gate-in process. Also, the signing parties involved in these contracts must be legal entities approved by the FMC. Maersk files these contracts within 30 days after they are agreed upon, ensuring compliance with FMC regulations.