Container rate negotiationNegotiate container rates with lines on record.
Send a rate request to a line for a carrier owned inquiry, trade counter offers per container type, and keep each offer on record.
NVOCC export
Overview
When a customer asks for carrier owned containers, the agency needs a rate from the line before it can quote. In Sailix that starts on Request Container Rates: pick the customer and the inquiry, choose the line, set the currency and slot rate, and propose a rate for each container type and count. The request is saved as a negotiation with its own reference.
A line with a Sailix login sees the request and can accept, reject or send counter rates. The agency answers from Ongoing Negotiations, where the detail page lists every offer and response in order with the user who made it. Once the negotiation is accepted, the inquiry can be quoted at the agreed rates.
Capabilities
What it does
Requests tied to inquiries
Each negotiation starts from one carrier owned inquiry. Sailix allows one negotiation per inquiry and returns the existing one if the form is submitted twice.
Internal or line containers
Choose internal for your own containers or external for an associated line. Internal requests are accepted at once, since there is no counterparty to negotiate with.
Rates per container type
Propose a rate and a count for every container type, with one currency, one unit of measurement and a slot rate covering the whole request.
Counter offers both ways
The line can accept, reject or counter. The agency can accept the current rates, counter again with new container or slot rates, or reject.
Approval with consent proof
If the line agrees by email or message, the agency can approve the negotiation itself after uploading an image of that consent, with final rates and notes.
Offer history
The negotiation detail page replays each offer and response in sequence and names the user behind every step, so the agreed rate can be traced.
Workflow
How it works
First
Pick the inquiry
On Request Container Rates, select the customer and one of their carrier owned inquiries that has no negotiation yet.
Then
Propose rates
Choose the line, currency, unit of measurement and slot rate, enter a rate per container type, add notes and submit.
Next
Exchange offers
The line responds from its login. Answer counter offers from Ongoing Negotiations until the rates are accepted or rejected.
Finally
Approve and quote
Approve with the line's consent proof where needed, then create the quotation, which reads the negotiated rate for each container type.
Questions
Questions and answers
Do shipping lines need a Sailix login to answer rate requests?
- A line with a Sailix login sees requests addressed to it and can accept, reject or counter there. If the line replies outside Sailix, the agency records the outcome by uploading an image of the line's consent and approving the negotiation at the agreed rates.
Is a rate negotiation required for shipper owned containers?
- No. Negotiations apply only to carrier owned inquiries, and Sailix rejects a rate request for any other ownership type. A shipper owned inquiry goes straight to quotation, while a carrier owned inquiry cannot be quoted until its negotiation has been accepted.
What happens to the containers after the agency approves a negotiation?
- When the agency approves, Sailix adds the agreed container types and counts to container inventory as available stock and writes a movement record for the addition. If inventory already exists for the same combination, its quantity is increased instead of creating a second record.
Can I change the rates after sending a request to the line?
- Yes, while the negotiation is pending or counter offered. A counter offer must include a rate for every container type on the request, and the slot rate can be revised with it. Once the negotiation is accepted or rejected, Sailix refuses further changes.
Related
Works with
Inquiry management
Capture each export inquiry with customer, route, containers and sales owner, and follow it into negotiation and quotation.
Quotation management
Price an inquiry with container rates and tariff lines, offer sailing options, download the quotation PDF and track it to acceptance.
Liner portal
A separate login for the shipping line to answer rate requests, issue release orders, accept containers and approve free days.
Part of NVOCC software
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