Freight forwarders and carriers post published rate and discount information
for land, sea and air bearing cargo vessels to allow customers the opportunity
to evaluate competitive prices, preferably in one consolidated location (e.g.,
a web site). A customer navigates to the site to obtain published or discounted
rate information offered by a freight forwarder or carrier. The customer may accept
a posted rate, in which case the site operator notifies the freight forwarder or
carrier. Alternatively, customers, freight forwarders and carriers may negotiate
rates for particular lanes of interest using an online interactive auction block.
