Lesson 42 Information on Container Service

I. About the letter:

Container Service is a modern transportation method in international shipping. It facilitates loading and unloading，speeds up freight transportation and econom izes on freight charges，insurance premium and m iscellaneous expenses.

In this letter，the w riter indicates that container service is of great advantage in shipping. Nowadays it isw idely used by importers and exporters in international trade. As amatter of fact，it really facilitates shipment and ensures safety for the goods shipped. What'smore，it lowers the cost of the goods，thus promoting international trade to a large extent.

II. Additional notes:

1. namely adv.

viz. they are; that is to say即

Only one person can do the job，namely you.

只有一个人能做这项工作，那就是你。

2. provide vt.供给，提供，锁定

to provide sb. w ith sth.或to provide sth. for sb.

The carrying vessel shall be provided by the sellers.

运输船只应由卖方提供。

Please provide us w ith the full details.

请提供给我方详细情况。

同义词:provide，furnish，supply三个词都可用于指“供给”物质的或精神的东西。

provide vt.规定

The contract provides that the seller shall ship the goods w ithin one month after signing the contract.

合同规定卖方在签约后1个月内装运货物。

注意:这个词做“规定”解时，可接从句，从句中要用shall或should，有时也用虚拟语气现在时。主句中provide为现在时才可用shall。其同义词为stipulate.

III. Chinese version of the letter:

敬启者:

关于集装箱运输的说明

感谢你方3月23日的询价函。我方提供的船运集装箱有两种规格，即十英尺和二十英尺的。它们都可以从两端开启，这样就可以使装卸同时进行。由于不透水又不透气，所以对装卸怕湿怕水的货物特别有利。如有必要，集装箱可以在厂内装货，加封加锁。因此，不可能发生偷盗事件。

我们的集装箱是温控的，可供需要特别照管的货物使用，这在运输方面有很大便利。

对于以一个集装箱运往同一口岸的分交货物，由于集装箱货物收保费低，所以可以节省运费又可以节省保险费用。

随信附上一份关税副本并盼早复。

附件:如文。

谨启

IV.Key to exercises:

1. Fill in the blanksw ith the appropriate word as given below:

1) expedite 2) advise 3) forward，destination 4) onto 5) sailed，find 6) option

7) transshipment 8) note 9) comply 10) allow

2. Translate the follow ing letter into English:

Dear Sirs，

Your letter of the 11th of thismonth has been reached to us.

In reply，we advise you that the captioned goodswould be shipped on the 25th of thismonth per s/s“Da Gang”，a container ship，thus completing the delivery of your order.

In fact，we have never for amoment overlooked the importance of timely shipment of your order. However，as youmay be aware，shipping space for container ship hasbeen rather congested of late. We would have shipped your goodsearlier if it had not been for the congestion of the freight space.

If the extension of your L/C reaches us in time，we can assure you that your order will be executed as schedule. We very much regret the inconvenience we have thus caused you and trust our above explanation w illmeetw ith your approval.

We w ill give you our advice of shipment by cable as soon as the goods are shipped.

Yours faithfully，

V. Optional reading:

Dear Sirs，

We thank you for your Order No.123. As you are desirous of prompt shipment，we have immediately got in touch w ith the shipping company. Fortunately，we have been able to book the space on s.s.“Red Star”sailing from here on or about January 15. Upon opening the relative L/C，please advise us of its number immediately.

We await your reply.

Yours faithfully，

参考译文:

敬启者:

感谢你方123号订单。由于你方想要立即装运，因此我方马上与船公司联系。幸运的是我方已在1月15日左右启航的红星轮上订到舱位。一俟开立相关信用证，请立即通知我方号码。

等待你方回复。

谨启