Stevedores are a vital piece of international shipping. Without the assistance of these dock workers, port productivity would grind to a halt — and with it, the larger U.S. economy and job force.
According to the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)'s 2024 Port and Maritime Industry Economic Contribution Report, U.S. seaports and related activities support $2.8 trillion in economic activity and 21.8 million American jobs.
This means that more than one out of every eight jobs in the total U.S. workforce is at least partially supported by seaports — and stevedores.
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has a front seat to the display of hard work and dedication from world’s stevedores on a daily basis through our comprehensive shipping services.
Let’s take a look at the main duties of stevedores and how they make an impact.
Stevedore Facts to Know
- A stevedore is a worker responsible for loading and unloading cargo at ports.
- Stevedores interface with ship crews, port authorities, and freight providers to connect ocean freight with land transportation networks.
- Technically, a "stevedore" occupies a managerial or supervisory role in loading/unloading operations while a "longshoreman" performs the physical labor, but the terms are often used interchangeably.
- Dock workers like stevedores play a vital role in keeping businesses' supply chains moving efficiently.
What Is a Stevedore?
Stevedores are workers who oversee the loading and offloading of cargo at international ports. Commonly referred to as “dockers” or “dock workers,” stevedores must be highly skilled in loading/unloading, lashing, stowing and securing all kinds of international cargo commodities.
Although stevedores are usually referenced for their work at seaports, they can also be employed to load international cargo for transport via air, rail and land.
What Does a Stevedore Do?
Stevedores perform a variety of tasks at a port relating to the movement, inspection, and coordination of ocean freight.
In a typical operation, a stevedore's work begins the moment a vessel docks. The coordinate with the ship's officers to confirm the cargo manifest, assess load distribution, and plan the most efficient unloading sequence.
A stevedore job typically includes:
- Operating cranes and other heavy machinery to move containers and goods
- Securing cargo for sea transport to prevent shifting or damage, often using chains/straps, marine shrink wrap and/or welding solutions
- Inspecting freight for integrity, documentation, and labeling accuracy
- Working in coordination with customs, security, and logistics providers
Often, stevedores must perform these tasks safely and efficiently while under a deadline, as vessels can’t stay at port indefinitely.
As you might imagine, the specialized expertise of stevedores is critical to ensuring every shipment transitions smoothly from ship to port and onward to inland transportation.
The Difference Between a Stevedore and Longshoreman
The terms stevedore and longshoreman are frequently used interchangeably. While historically, there were some contextual differences between the two roles, today the lines between them have been blurred by colloquial use.
In general, both terms describe a worker that deals with the loading and unloading of cargo ships. The original definitions of these roles were:
- Stevedore: A person or company that supervised and managed loading and unloading of ships from an operational standpoint.
- Longshoreman: A worker responsible for the actual physical labor of moving cargo on and off a ship under the supervision of a stevedore.
While this distinction may remain at some ports, time and the gradual relaxation of our standards of language has made it generally acceptable to use the terms as synonyms.
Both play essential roles in port logistics, and their collaboration ensures vessels are loaded correctly and cargo is handled with care.
What Stevedores Mean to Freight Shippers
Every minute a vessel spends idle at port costs money. Efficient stevedoring keeps freight flowing and helps shippers:
- Reduce demurrage fees
- Prevent shipment delays
- Maintain supply chain reliability
Stevedores are also key to cargo safety and compliance — ensuring hazardous materials, oversized freight, or temperature-sensitive goods are handled according to strict standards.
For freight carriers that deal in ocean freight in any capacity, understanding the role of stevedores in the global logistics chain is vital to planning smooth multimodal operations.
While this understanding may seem less important to you as a shipper, remember the chaos and lengthy delays that can be caused by port strikes and shutdowns. When stevedores are happy, everyone is happy!
How ATS Supports Smoother Ocean Freight Logistics from Port to Door
Stevedores are the unsung heroes of maritime logistics. Their skills ensure that the freight world stays in motion, connecting global shipping lanes to inland transportation networks.
While ATS does not employ stevedores directly, we work closely with ports, port services companies, and port workers worldwide every day.
ATS is experienced in coordinating ocean freight step by step, so when your cargo arrives at the port, you can trust that the drayage, transloading, or inland trucking services you need are on hand.
Our integrated port logistics services afford you and your supply chain:
- Faster cargo transfers from ship to truck
- Increased visibility and communication across borders and modes
- Fewer handoffs and reduced risk of damage or delay
From ocean ports to final destinations, ATS provides the reliability and coordination you need to keep your supply chain moving. To learn how ATS can support your ocean freight shipping needs, request a quote from us today.
