ETA, ETD, ATD, ATA in Shipping
image explaining ETD and ETA
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Why Understanding ETA VS ETD Matters
Shipping Dates in Global Trade
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In the shipping industry, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) indicates when a cargo ship, vehicle, or other transportation used to convey goods will arrive at its final destination. In simple terms, it’s used to alert customers on the time and date when cargo should be anticipated. The service sector needs ETA. For the delivery team and fleet management to stay on schedule and avoid any mistakes or delays in deliveries, ETD is essential.
On the other hand, ETD has two different meanings; Estimated time of departure and Estimated time of delivery. The estimated time of delivery (ETD) in the logistics supply chain refers to the final point or moment when the goods are handed to the consignee.
It’s essential to understand the difference between ETA and ETD; if you do, it could ruin the dispatch management process. ETA denotes the anticipated arrival time, but ETD logistics might mean either the anticipated time of departure or the expected time of delivery. ETA and ETD matter greatly to a client as it helps keep track of arrival and delivery time objectives. People should know the difference between ETA and ETD are:
- The client
- The owner
- The shipper
- The delivery
Terminology aids in understanding a particular topic and dissemination of this knowledge to non-specialists. The term is important for all types of people who use it to make their translations more accurate. However, they’re pretty complicated to monitor, but at Shipo, we handle all your concerns.
ETD: Estimated Time of Departure or Estimated Time of Delivery
Diagram representing estimated time of delivery/department
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The estimated time of departure in shipping terms is the time expected for a delivery shipment to leave the storage facility or warehousing to set out on its route. In comparison, the estimated time of delivery is mainly used by the courier or product delivery companies. It refers to the anticipated time a driver completes last-mile delivery and hands the cargo to the client.
An estimated departure time is the anticipated time a transport system is expected to leave its starting point or location is what ETD means in shipping. On the other hand, ETD shipping term is the sent order’s anticipated arrival time at the estimated delivery time referred to as the destination.
At Shipo, we help you understand ETD in shipping which gives you an estimated deadline to expect your package and helps the driver meet up with on-time delivery.
ETA VS ETD: An Example of ETD
ETD Shipping
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Again, ETA and ETD in the shipping industry mean the estimated time of arrival (ETA), while ETD is the estimated time of delivery or departure (ETD). Circuit for Teams is a routing software used to calculate ETA and ETD.
Let’s take a practical example of ETD if you’re expecting a delivery truck or vehicle to leave the storage facility or warehouse at 2:00 pm (estimated time of departure). Using the routing software, the first stop on the route is 25 minutes away – ETA is 2:25 pm, calculated using the software, giving account to possible delays.
An example of the time of delivery is when a courier service needs to deliver a document for signing that has a deadline pressure. The client knows the deadline is 3 pm and, as such, must be available to receive and sign the document within the time frame.
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
Diagram demonstrating the estimated time of arrival
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The estimated time of arrival (ETA) is the time expected for a specific vehicle carrying cargo to arrive at its destination. In the transportation industry, it’s primarily intended to brief clients about the duration of the transported goods before arriving at their final destination. In the business environment, it helps company managers to know the ETA of work performed by their subordinates. In some application areas, such as sequencing and scheduling, where arranging aircraft arrival according to the first-come-first-served sequence of ETA at the runway minimizes delays, accurate and timely arrival time estimations are crucial.
This information matters significantly as it keeps customers at rest, knowing the arrival time of their goods. And at Shipo, we help you understand better what ETA means in shipping.
ETA VS ETD: An Example of ETA
ETA Shipping
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Businesses and customers rely on ETA and ETD for planning, scheduling, and lots more. Although both estimated time arrival and estimated time delivery or departure are complicated, they’re still most vital as they give logistics estimates that shippers need to know and fathom to meet customers’ needs.
An example of ETA is seen in a case where a dispatcher needs to deliver two packages at a time. One has an ETA of 9:00 am, and the other is 11:00 am. Each package contains valuable items, and the customers must sign on delivery.
Also, customers know when to expect the packages and ensure they’re available to sign on delivery.
As a logistics company manager, both ETA can compare with the actual time of arrival to ensure drivers are on track with time. Using routing software, you can set expectations for the drivers while providing customers with helpful information.
ETB Shipping
Cruise Ship Berthing
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ETB in shipping means the Estimated Time of Berthing. It’s usually used to indicate the time and date a ship is expected to berth at a port/terminal. Estimated Time of Berthing indicates the day and time a ship is anticipated to berth at a port or terminal. Typically, pre-arrival messages are given to ships. A boat can berth on its bow, stem, port, or starboard side. The word “berth” can apply to a location where a vessel is tied or anchored and the quay, wharf, or pier where the boat comes alongside. In other words, it is the estimated time a ship (vessel) needs to unload its cargo after arriving at the port.
ETB is usually seen in pre-arrival notifications sent to shippers. These terms might be confusing and difficult to calculate, but at Shipo, we help you understand the ETB in shipping.
ETA VS ETB: An Example of ETB
In the shipping line, ETA indicates the estimated time for arrival ship in the port, while ETB gives the estimated time the ship is berthed. The fact that a ship arrives at the port at a particular time does not mean the ship has already berthed to unload goods. The ship needs to wait outside for a vacant dock to unload.
For instance, following a schedule and date, it may take up to an hour or more for a ship to berth from its time of arrival in the port. Also, a vessel can berth immediately after arrival without waiting for an anchorage.
The term ETB is vital operational information mostly available to stakeholders involved in the cargo operation of ships.
ATA: Actual Time of Arrival
ATA Shipping
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ATA (Actual Time of Arrival) is the actual time a vessel or any means of transportation arrives at its delivery point. It indicates when a shipment arrives at its destination. Unlike the ETA, ATA shipping can be impacted by actual circumstances like traffic. Every delivery vehicle needs to have an ETA and an ATA.
This term differs from ETA, giving real-world data on when goods arrive, factoring in traffic and other delays. Having an ETA and an ATA for every good delivered is necessary because an ETA only helps logistics planning and may not give an actual result. Here at Shipo, we help customers understand these shipping terms better.
ETA VS ETD: An Example of ATA
As stated earlier, ETA doesn’t provide customers with a reliable or accurate arrival time, but ATA does. Tracking an ATA over time to identify potential delays in the supply chain and even predict ETA in the last-mile delivery provides more accurate results.The time a ship or any other means of transportation is estimated to arrive at its destination is known as the actual arrival time. The arrival time may be very different or very near to the anticipated time. The closer the ATA is to the ETA, the better because ports are already congested.
For instance, a driver is meant to arrive at their destination at 10:00 am (the ETA). But due to traffic and other delays, the truck arrived at 3:00 pm. This is its actual time of arrival (ATA).
ATD: Actual Time of Departure
ATD Shipping
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ATD (actual departure time) is when a driver or vehicle leaves the shipping facility or warehouse. It indicates the time a shipment actually departs from its origin. ATD meaning in shipping, refers to a package being sent out in logistics. The exact Time of Departure is the precise moment a ship or other mode of transportation leaves its point of origin.
At Shipo, we help customers understand better the ATD meaning in shipping. This data allows for transparency in the supply chain logistics. Although there may be a delay, the information is ideal for showing a vehicle’s schedule and keeping track of departure.
ETA VS ETD: An Example of ATD
In logistics, the reception time may also be referred to as ATD. ETD and ETA are the estimated time of departure only and are the estimated time of arrival, not the exact time of those vessels.
A practical example of the actual time of departure can be relayed thus. Let’s say a driver is expected to leave the warehouse at 12:30 pm. But due to the delay in loading the truck with packages, it eventually leaves at 01:00 pm. This is the actual time of the departure of the driver.
Conclusion
Terminologies helped people talk faster and understand what they meant, but jargon is only acknowledged by those in the industry and not by ordinary people. The information above simplifies the ETA, ETD, ATD, and ATA terms used in shipping. With this, you won’t be kept in the dark about your shipment. Shipo(https://shipo.com/) is here to help you better understand these terminologies and grasp the shipping industry if you want to venture into it.
