Definition
A container owned or leased by the shipper rather than the carrier, avoiding the carrier’s box and detention rules.
With an SOC the shipper provides the container itself instead of using the carrier’s equipment (a COC, or carrier-owned container). The shipper simply buys ocean transport for the box, so there is no obligation to return it and no carrier detention clock.
SOCs are popular on imbalanced trade lanes, in regions with chronic equipment shortages, or where one-way moves make returning a carrier box expensive. They shift container responsibility — and maintenance — onto the shipper.
Related terms
Detention
A charge for holding the carrier’s container outside the terminal beyond the free time before returning it empty.
Demurrage
A charge for keeping a container inside the port/terminal beyond the allowed free time.
FCL (Full Container Load)
An ocean shipment that fills (or is booked to fill) an entire container, used by a single consignee.
Carrier
The party that physically transports the goods and contracts to carry them, e.g. a shipping line or airline.
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