外贸英语口语UNIT12

　　Mr.James is a representative of a British company, and Mr.Liu is a staff member of China National Foodstuffs¹ Import & Export Corporation. They hold a discussion on the seafood².
J: Now, Mr.Liu, Let's have a word about delievery. Can you make prompt shipment?
L: "Prompt shipment", such terms are ambiguous. People can interpret this phrase differently.
J: We must have the seafood for the winter sale. That's all I want.
L: For the winter sale? Why, that would mean the goods must arrive at London in early Novemeber. We're now in late September. Even if we had the goods ready, I don't think we could ship them right away.
J: I know there's a great demand on shipping³ lately.
L: That is so. I was informed by our shipping department yesterday that liner space for Europe up to the end of next month had been fully⁴ booked. I'm afraid we can do very little about it.
J: We understand tramps are still available.
L: Yes, but tramps are scarce. Generally, no refrigeration facilities are provided on them, and I'm not sure whether there would be enough tonnage to make a full cargo⁵, even if a tramp could be obtained.
J: Is there any chance if transhipment is allowed?
L: But transhipment adds to the expenses, risks of damage and sometimes may delay arrival, because there's also a shortage of transhipment space for Europe. Anyhow, we'll try. We have good connections with China Resources Shipping & Storage Co.Ltd. in Hongkong. This company has a great reputation for its competence⁶ in the shipping world. And since it has longterm agency agreements with many world famous shipping companies, it can easily meet the clients' varied⁷ demands.
J: We prefer direct shipment, of course, but if you can't get hold of a direct vessel⁸, we may agree to have the goods transhipped at Hongkong. You know, good quality, competitive price, all would mean nothing if goods could not be put on the market on time.
L: Yes, fully understood. We'll find out the situation about the connecting steamer right away.
J: As far as I know, Jardine Shipping Agent(HK) Ltd.has a liner sailing from Hongkong for Europe around mid-October. If you could manage to catch that vessel, everything would be all right.
L: It's very hard for us to accept a designated on carrier. There are so many factors that might make the goods miss the intended sailing. Besides, are you sure the vessel will call at London? And is she already carrying a full load?
J: I guess if we start immediately, there's still hope. And if worst comes to worst, please ship the goods to London or Liverpool. How about Liverpool as an optional port of destination?
L: Good. Then what would you say if we put if like this: "Shipment, first available steamer in Octoober. port of destination, London or Liverpool. Transhipment at Hongkong allowed."
J: Fine. It seems I've no alternative. Thank you, Mr. liu. I'am sorry if these arrangments cause you a lot of inconvenience.
l: Oh, no, we're only too glad to help you in any way we can.

1 foodstuffs   

食物，食品( foodstuff的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Imports of foodstuffs accounted for a small proportion of total imports. 食物进口仅占总进口额的一小部份。
• Many basic foodstuffs, such as bread and milk, are tax-free. 许多基本食物如牛奶和面包是免税的。

2 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。

3 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

4 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

5 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

6 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。

7 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

8 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。