the freight forwarder co- ordinates the transfer of the cargo from one transport vehicle to another. This involves booking space on a transhipment vessel, discharging, sorting, loading and distribution of the cargo to various consignees. Within the context of multimodal transport the forwarder might also act as contracting carrier.
The freight forwarder collects and assembles parcel cargo from different shippers, who are often other freight forwarders, and combines the goods for shipment/ distribution to the respective receivers in the country of destination.