by Ekrem Duman | Aug 30, 2026 | Cost Reduction, Procurement, Supply Chain
⚡ TL;DRBOBTAIL describes a tractor operating without a trailer. In intermodal procurement, a bobtail leg can be necessary to collect or return equipment, reposition a chassis or recover from a failed appointment, but it can also create unplanned mileage, safety and...
by Ekrem Duman | Aug 30, 2026 | Contract Negotiation, Procurement, Supply Chain
⚡ TL;DRBARGEHIRE is a bareboat charter form for an unmanned, non-self-propelled seagoing barge. The charterer generally receives possession and operational control, so procurement must define condition, delivery, trading limits, towing interface, maintenance,...
by Ekrem Duman | Aug 30, 2026 | Procurement, Sourcing, Supply Chain
⚡ TL;DRA BCO, or Beneficial Cargo Owner, is the party that owns or controls the cargo interest and buys transportation directly or through intermediaries. Procurement must map the BCO role to the shipper, importer, forwarder, NVOCC, vessel carrier, consignee and payer...
by Ekrem Duman | Aug 30, 2026 | Cost Reduction, Procurement, Supply Chain
⚡ TL;DRBAF, or Bunker Adjustment Factor, is a fuel-related adjustment applied to a freight rate. Procurement should not accept a percentage or opaque surcharge without defining the fuel reference, base rate, measurement period, currency, trigger, cap, floor, effective...
by Ekrem Duman | Aug 8, 2026 | Procurement, Supply Chain
How Much Tariff Exposure Do Supply Chains Actually Have in 2026? Reciprocal tariffs on 69 trading partners at rates of 10–41% took effect August 7, 2026, pushing the average US import duty to its highest level in a century and adding to a stack of sector-specific...
by Ekrem Duman | Aug 1, 2026 | Cost Reduction, Procurement, Supply Chain
⚡ TL;DRAPPRAISEMENT is the process of determining or reviewing customs value. The SSDER term APPRAISER’S STORES points to goods or samples held under an appraiser or customs examination process; local authority rules control the exact facility and custody....
