FAS (Free Alongside Ship) is an Incoterms® 2020 rule used only for sea or inland waterway transport. The seller delivers when the goods are placed alongside the vessel nominated by the buyer at the named port of shipment.
Delivery and Risk Transfer
Risk transfers when the goods are alongside the vessel—such as on a quay or barge—at the agreed port and point. From that moment, the buyer bears the main transport risk and cost.
| Activity | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Export clearance | Yes | — |
| Deliver alongside vessel | Yes | Nominates vessel |
| Load on board | — | Yes |
| Main ocean/inland-waterway carriage | — | Yes |
| Import clearance/duties | — | Yes |
When FAS Is Used
FAS is often relevant to bulk, breakbulk or project cargo where the seller can deliver directly alongside a named vessel. It is generally less suitable for containerized cargo handed to a terminal before vessel loading.
Example
FAS Khalifa Bin Salman Port: the seller clears the cargo for export and places it alongside the buyer-nominated vessel. The buyer bears the cost and risk of loading, ocean carriage and onward import formalities.
Reference: ICC Incoterms® 2020, FAS explanatory notes.
