Container Shipping Terms Explained: CY/CY, CY/FO, CY/LO, CY/TACKLE & CY/HOOK
Publish Time: 2025-08-14 Origin: Site
1. CY/CY (Container Yard to Container Yard)
Meaning: Carrier receives FCL (Full Container Load) at origin CY and delivers to destination CY.
Responsibility: Shipping line handles both loading & unloading of containers at ports.
2. CY/FO (Container Yard/Free Out)
Meaning: Carrier delivers to destination port but doesn't cover unloading.
Responsibility: Shipper/consignee pays for unloading (common in Africa/South America).
3. CY/LO (Container Yard/Line Out)
Meaning: Carrier delivers to destination port and unloads (but not beyond quay).
Responsibility: Shipping line unloads from vessel; consignee handles further transport.
4. CY/TACKLE (Container Yard to Tackle)
Meaning: Carrier unloads container onto truck/trailer at destination.
Responsibility: Stops once container touches the truck (no further movement).
5. CY/HOOK (Container Yard to Hook)
Meaning: Carrier unloads container only to dock (using crane hook).
Responsibility: Ends when container is lifted off the vessel (consignee arranges ground transport).
Key Differences Summary
| Term | Loading | Ocean Transport | Unloading | Final Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CY/CY | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (CY only) |
| CY/FO | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| CY/LO | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (to quay) | ❌ |
| CY/TACKLE | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (to truck) | ❌ |
| CY/HOOK | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (hook lift) | ❌ |
When to Use Which?
For full door-to-door: Use CY/CY + trucking.
High port fees? CY/FO shifts unloading costs to receiver.
Quick quay pickup? CY/LO or CY/HOOK for faster clearance.