Shipping Modes
Rolled Cargo
Cargo that was booked and delivered for a specific sailing but not loaded, and is carried forward to a later vessel.
In depth
Cargo gets rolled when a vessel is overbooked, when weight or stability limits are reached, when a blank sailing displaces bookings, or when documentation such as the VGM was not filed by cut-off. Carriers routinely overbook to allow for no-shows, so rolling is a normal operational reality rather than an exception. Cargo booked on cheap spot rates is generally rolled first, which is the hidden cost of taking the lowest quote. Shippers rarely receive much notice, and the practical mitigations are earlier cut-off compliance and, for critical cargo, paying for a guaranteed loading service.
Key points
- Booked cargo not loaded and carried to a later vessel
- Caused by overbooking, weight limits, blank sailings, or late documents
- Cheapest spot bookings are typically rolled first
- Guaranteed-load products exist for time-critical cargo