"...depending on the circumstances shipping companies may levy one or more charges, in additional to the standard rates..."

"...such goods would be the first to be thrown overboard or jettisoned should the ship run into trouble..."

When the exporter's goods have been unloaded at the dockside, it is the shipping company's responsibility to ensure that they are properly loaded aboard the correct ship.

Usually, a stevedoring firm does this on behalf of the shipping company and the cost involved is already included in the freight rate paid by the exporter.

With the goods safely loaded aboard the ship, the shipping agent issues a "clean" ocean bill of lading to the exporter so long as no shortages or damaged crates, boxes, etc. have been discovered.

Alternative Shipping Methods
In shipping goods abroad, the exporter has various alternative methods. These include ship, truck, rail, air and parcel post.

The choice will depend on the nature of the product, light or heavy, fragile or sturdy, perishable or durable, high or low in value per cubic meter, etc:

a.) the distance to be shipped
b.) available means of transportation
c.) and relative freight costs