Slot Booking

What Is Slot Booking?

Slot booking is the process of reserving space (a "slot") on a specific vessel voyage for a container shipment, confirming that the carrier will load that container on that sailing.

How Does Slot Booking Work?

A shipper or forwarder submits a booking request to a carrier specifying the container quantity, type, origin, destination, and desired sailing. The carrier confirms available space, subject to overall vessel capacity, and issues a booking confirmation, though during periods of high demand, confirmed bookings can still be rolled to a later sailing if the carrier overbooks capacity.

Why Slot Booking Matters

During periods of tight vessel capacity, securing a confirmed slot booking well in advance is critical to avoiding shipment delays, and even confirmed bookings can be at risk of being rolled during severe capacity crunches, making early booking and strong carrier relationships more valuable when demand outstrips available capacity.