Port of Discharge (POD)
The port of discharge (POD) is the port where cargo is unloaded from the main vessel, as shown on the B/L. It is not always the place of delivery or final destination; a container may be discharged at Tanjung Perak and then trucked to a factory in Pasuruan, for example. A wrong POD on the B/L can see the box discharged at the wrong port, followed by costly diversion and demurrage charges.
Related terms
- Port of Loading (POL)
The port of loading (POL) is the port where cargo is loaded onto the main ocean vessel named on the B/L, for example Tanjung Priok (IDTPP) or Tanjung Perak (IDSUB).
- Transshipment
Transshipment is the transfer of a container from one vessel to another at a hub port before it reaches its destination.
- Delivery Order (DO)
A delivery order is the instruction from the carrier or its agent at destination to release the container to the consignee.
Covered in these guides
Multi-Port Stowage Planning: POD Sequencing, Reserved Slots and Per-Leg Conditions
How to plan stowage across a port rotation, POD sequencing, forecast bookings and reserved slots, per-leg departure checks and an Indonesian domestic rotation example.
5 min read Vessel stowageContainer Restows: Causes, Costs and How to Reduce Them in the Bay Plan
What container restows (shifting moves) are, what causes them from overstows to hatch covers, what they cost, and how multi-port planning and optimizers cut them.
6 min read Vessel stowageContainer Ship Bay Planning: Pre-stow, POD Blocks and Stack Limits
How a planner builds a container ship bay plan, from pre-stow by POD, stack weights, hold vs deck, reefers, OOG and 45ft boxes to hatch covers.
6 min read PortsHow to Choose a Port of Loading: Criteria, Costs and a Worked Comparison
How to choose a port of loading for exports, weighing trucking cost, sailing frequency, direct calls, closing time, depots, congestion, reefer, OOG and customs services.
5 min read