### Question
How is the "service contract" defined?


### Answer
The term **service contract** is defined in *46 U.S.C. § 40102* as follows -

> a written contract, other than a bill of lading or receipt, between one or more shippers, on the one hand, and an individual ocean common carrier or an agreement between or among ocean common carriers, on the other, in which—


(A) the shipper or shippers commit to providing a certain volume or portion of cargo over a fixed time period

#### Citation:
  - *46 U.S.C. § 40102*
  - Heading: **Subtitle IV-Regulation of Ocean Shipping > Part A-Ocean Shipping > CHAPTER 401-GENERAL**

