Confirmation (Ocean)

A Confirmation (Ocean) transaction confirms the details of an ocean freight booking or shipment with a carrier or freight forwarder. Typically sent by a shipping line or ocean freight provider to the shipper, freight forwarder, or other booking party in response to a booking request, this document establishes the agreed-upon terms for container movement. Key segments include the B1 (Beginning Segment), which identifies the booking or pickup/delivery transaction; the Y3 (Space Confirmation), which formally confirms the container space allocation; and the R4 (Port or Terminal) segments within the mandatory loop, which specify the ports of loading and discharge along with associated dates and special handling requirements.

For example, Pacific Shipping Lines sends a 301 Confirmation to Global Trade Logistics confirming GTL’s ocean freight booking. The transmission includes container release information via Y4 segments specifying which containers are available for pickup, equipment details in the N7 segments describing container types and sizes, and port information via multiple R4 entries showing the Shanghai loading port with a cutoff date and the Los Angeles discharge port with an estimated arrival. The detail section contains individual line items with L5 segments describing the goods (machinery parts), weight information in L0 segments, and any hazardous material declarations through H1 segments if applicable, allowing GTL to coordinate pickup, prepare shipping documentation, and manage cargo flow with complete confirmation of the booked service.