For the purposes of this Chapter:  

maritime cargo handling services

means the performance, organisation and supervision of:

(a) the loading or discharging of cargo to or from a vessel,
(b) the lashing or unlashing of cargo, and
(c) the reception or delivery and safekeeping of cargo before shipment or after discharge,

by stevedoring or terminal operator companies, but does not include work performed by dock labour, when this workforce is organised independently of stevedoring or terminal operator companies;