Legal Definitions - longshoreman

A longshoreman is a worker primarily responsible for handling cargo at a port or dock. Their duties typically involve loading goods onto ships, unloading cargo from vessels, and moving or storing these materials on the wharf.

• Imagine a large container ship arriving at a bustling port. A team of longshoremen would operate the specialized cranes to carefully lift the massive containers off the ship and place them onto waiting trucks or into designated storage areas on the dock. This illustrates their role in efficiently unloading cargo from vessels.

• Consider a bulk carrier preparing to transport grain across the ocean. Longshoremen would be involved in overseeing the machinery that funnels thousands of tons of grain from port silos into the ship's various holds, ensuring proper distribution and secure loading for the voyage. This highlights their responsibility for loading goods onto ships.

• At a busy general cargo terminal, a longshoreman might use a forklift to transport pallets of electronics or machinery from a dockside warehouse directly into the hold of a cargo ship. This demonstrates their broader role in moving and storing materials on the wharf as part of the loading process.