Shipping Terms

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A [Back to Top]

AA Always afloat

AAAA Always afloat, always accessible

Abaft towards the stern aft of directly abeam

Abeam to the vessel’s side at a right angle to the middle or center of the ship lengthwise

Abeam to the vessel’s side at a right angle to the middle or center of the ship lengthwise

ABS American Bureau of Shipping~

ABT About

Accommodation ladder usually refers to a stairs like platform/gangway lowered parallel to the hull over

ADCOMM Address Commission

Adrift floating at random without being fixed to any moorings or otherwise under control.

Affreightment Contract of A legal term to describe a contract between an ocean carrier and a merchant to

Afloat when a vessel is floating clear of the ground, can also refer to mean at sea, or when speaking of life at sea.

Aft at or towards the rear or stern of a vessel.

Aft Peak a compartment at the aft end of the ship behind or aft of the after most watertight bulkhead.

AG Arabian Gulf (used when vessels are proceeding to Arabian Ports)(See PG)

Aground when a vessel is resting on the bottom. In most cases a situation to be avoided.

Ahead a word with two meanings aboard a vessel. Refers to the area in front of the vessel and also refers to the direction the propulsion is fixed at such as “ahead or astern”.

Air Draft the vertical distance measured from the waterline of a vessel to the topmost fixture such as a mast or antenna.

Amidship the middle of the ship lengthwise and athwartship or side to side.

Anchor Aweigh spoken of an anchor when is has been lifted from the ground or bottom.

Anchorage an area usually away from or offshore where the ground is suitable for anchoring a vessel. Official anchorage areas are often marked on charts although vessels can use undesignated anchorages in some cases.

Anchored the time when the vessel is rendered stationary by the anchor.

Angle of Repose the angle at which a loose bluk product will collapse upon itself when stockpiled.

ANSI American National Standard Institute.

Anti Static Additive

Any position or bearing between the stern and amidships is considered abaft

APEC Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum

API American Petroleum Institute APS Arrival pilot station

API Gravity an industry standard developed by the American Petroleum Institute used for calculation of the specific gravity of a product at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Appointment procedure wherein a principal nominates an agent to act on his behalf for a specific purpose.

Approved Equipment equipment which has been certified by an appropriate authority stating that it is suitable for its intended purpose.

AR American Tanker Rate Schedule-Revised

ARA Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam

Arbitration a method of settling disputes usually binding on the involved parties. When related to ships and shipping the arbitration terms are usually specified in the charter party should a dispute arise. The term is usually referred to as the arbitration clause.

ARPA automated radar plotting aid, a radar related automatic system to aid mariners in tracking other vessels to avoid collisions.

Arrest the detention of a vessel. Usually as a result of unpaid debts. This is an option in the judicial process to force a responsible party to pay debts or post a bond to secure the debt until the legal proceedings have concluded.

Arrival Notice (a) notification form the carrier to the consignee in writing or other means that a consignment of goods has or will arrive and is or will be available to him at a specified time And place. (b) when referring to vessels some charter parties require the vessel to give notices of arrival or ETA’s at specified intervals prior to the shipper or receiver at the load or discharge port. In most cases 10 days 5/day/72 hour/48 hour/24 hour notices are specified to be given by the master.

Arrived Ship the point at which the vessel has arrived off of, or in to, a port or berth according to the charter party terms.

ASBA Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (U.S.A.), Inc., New York

ASEAN the Association of southeast Asian Nations whose goal it is to work on together on cooperative economic, social and cultural issues in the region. Members include: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Astern spoken of the propulsion setting as in: ahead or astern, and also means the area directly behind the vessel.

ASTM American Society for testing and Materials.

ATD~ Any t~ day or night shinc

Atwartships Athwart, across, from side to side.

Auto Ignition

Aweigh when a anchor is lifted free or clear of the bottom.

B [Back to Top]

B/L Bill of lading

B/N Booking note

Ballast any weight used to improve a vessel’s stability and/or trim. In most cases this weight is water pumped into ballast tanks.

Ballast Condition usually referrers to when a vessel has no cargo onboard and has been ballasted for stability and trim.

Baltic Exchange The Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange

Baltimore Form C A standard charter party and bill of lading form used in the grain trade in the U.S. and Canada.

Bareboat Charter Party a charter party under which the owner provides the vessel only and the charterer provides the crew, stores, cargoes etc. Usually these charters are entered into for a period of years.

Barrels an amount of liquid equal to 42 U.S. gallons (158.98284 liters) when used in conjunction with vessels and

BBB Before breaking bulk

BBL Barrel

BBLS abbreviation for barrels.

BC Code International Maritime Organization Code for safe Practice for Solid Bulk Hauling.

BCH Code International Maritime Organization code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous cargoes in bulk. Applies to all chemical carriers built prior to July 1st. 1986. For chemical carriers built after that date another code the IBC code and BCH code applies.

BCM Bow to center of manifold

Beam the extreme width of a vessel.

Beaufort Scale a scale used to indicate the force of the wind. Force 1 being calm and force 12 being huricaine force winds or winds above 65 mph.

Bell Book a rough log used to record engine orders given by the master and/or pilots during maneuvering. Also recorded in this usually small notebook style book are the arrival and mooring times. The information related to times of arrival, shifting and mooring are usually transferred from the rough log into the vessel’s deck log at a later time when it is convenient for the duty deck officer. This book can usually be found on or near the chart table on the bridge.

BENDS Both ends

Berth (a) a specific place where a vessel will load or discharge. A place where a vessel is moored. (b) a bed on a vessel.

Berth Terms a chartering term where the ship owner agrees that the loading and discharging of the vessel from the loading berth and to the discharging berth will be the responsibility of the owner with regards to the expenses for the stevedores and terminal charges in accordance with the custom of the port(s) involved.

BFC Baltimore Form C Berth Grain Charter Party

BHP Brake horse power

Bilge4 the area of a ship on the inside of the hill at the very lowest point running along the keel.

Bill of Lading a contract for carriage of goods by a carrier. Usually issued by a carrier to a shipper upon surrendering of the “mate’s receipt”, it becomes the receipt of goods for transport and specifies the terms of delivery.

BIMCO Baltic and International Maritime Council

BIMOO Baltic & International Marit~ Council, Copenhagen

Bitt a stout fixture rising vertically up from the deck with twin rounded heads or post used expressly for the purpose of fastening mooring lines or cables by winding them around the heads to make them fast or secure on a vessel.

BNA British North America

Boatswain the man who has direct charge of all deck work and whom details the crew to accomplish this work as directed by the ship’s officers.

BOFFERS or BO (Asking) best offers

Bollard a stout fixture rising up from a dock, pier, quay, etc. with a single veertical head or twin angled heads, used expressly for mooring lines or wires for securing vessels to the facility. The eye in the end of the mooring lines or wires are usually looped over a bollard on the dock. When the line is placed under tension by the vessel’s mooring winches the vessel is hauled alongside and secured.

Bonding connecting of metal parts to ensure electrical continuity.

Bow Lines the mooring lines extending from the forward section of the vessel to the shore usually leading forward preventing movement astern.

Breast Lines the mooring lines extending from the forward section of the vessel to the shore at a near right angle preventing movement away from the dock.

Bridge the place in a vessel’s superstructure from which the vessel movement and direction in controlled. This is the place where a deck officer, and normally a seaman would stand their watch during all time the vessel is underway. The ship’s navigation is also performed from here.

Bridge wing walkway extending from the bridge/superstructure to the outward edges of the vessel. This is where the pilot and master stand during mooring so that they can have a commanding view of the position of the vessel in relation to the pier or dock facility. Based on this view they make the decisions and give the orders to the crew to control the vessel’s movement and/or mooring activities.

BSW Bottom sediment and water - impurities in a petroleumcargo

Bulbous Bow protrusion forward under the waterline in the shape of a bulb. Designed to reduce friction and vessel’s pitching motion thereby making a vessel more fuel

Bulk Cargo cargo either liquid, solid or gas which is loaded into a ship’s cargo compartments without packing or other intermediate containment. For solids see Solid Bulk Cargo

Bulkhead any vertical partition within a vessel which divides space. On shore these would be the wall of a house or building.

Bullnose a reinforced hole in the bulwarks at the foremost point of the bow through which towing hauser or bowline may pass without snagging or encountering excessive ware.

Bulwark a raised section of the hull above the deck, usually forward which keeps men and materials from being washed over the side.

Bunkers a term used to relate to spaces on the ship used to stow coal for boiler. Now refers to a vessel’s fuel oil. Loading fuel is called bunkering and the fuel is loaded into bunker tanks usually placed along the side and bottom of the vessel.

Butterworth (a) a trade name for a type or types of tank cleaning machines. (b) a verb meaning “to clean” a tank.

C [Back to Top]

C and F Cost and freight

C/P or CP Charter party

CA Central America (i .e. WCCA, or ECCA depending which side)

Camel a fender type object which can be made from one large timber or a group of timbers which floats alongside a pier to breast or hold a vessel off the dock face. This keeps the vessel’s side shell door or ramps accessible also prevents the hull paint from being scraped during tidal fluctuations.

Captsan a round, cylindrical, revolving part of a mooring, towing or anchor windlass used to wrap line around for the purpose of heaving a line under strain

Cargo Control room the place where the loading or unloading of a tank vessel is controlled and monitored. Usually contains pump controls and vessel monitoring equipment.

Cargo Lines the piping through which the cargo is discharged or loaded.

Cargo Manifold the point at which the cargo lines come together and where they connect with the terminal's or other receiving vessels cargo lines. Usually near amidships on both sides of a tank vessel.

Cargo Manifold the point at which the cargo lines come together and where they connect with the terminal's or other receiving vessels cargo lines. Usually near amidships on both sides of a tank vessel.

Cargo Pumproom the room in which the cargo pumps are installed and operate.

Cargo system line up

carry a specified amount of goods for a certain freight rate over a set period of time. This term s

CAS Collision A voidance System. Part of the radar, which assists a mariner in tracking nearby targets for the purposes of determining their closest point of approach so appropriate actions, can be taken to avoid collision.

Cathodic Protection the protection of metals from corrosion by electrochemical techniques. If when a vessel is in a shipyard you see several gray unpainted blocks of metal attached to the hull, especially near the propeller, these are part of the cathodic protection system. These blocks are called zinc plates and as electrolysis when present will attack the softest metals around, the zinc plates are placed on the hull to act as sacrificial metals. They will be decayed before the electrolysis will corrode the propeller. There are other systems both inside and outside the vessel to provide protection from metal decay due to electrolysis.

CBT Clean ballast tanks

Certificate of Fitness a ship's document of several pages issued to tank vessels, which intend and are suitable for the carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in bulk. This document is issued by the class society for a vessel on behalf of an authorized flag state. This document will show what specific products the vessel is certified or "fit" to carry according to IMO regulations and in what tanks on board these cargoes can be carried.

Chain Stopper a device attached to the deck, forward of the anchor windlass, with a pelican hook, or locking and, or other device attached, that holds, locks and/or secures an anchor chain or other mooring chain from paying out further.

Chart A map of a navigable area used onboard vessels for navigation

Charter Party a formal contract or agreement between two or more parties to in effect hire an entire vessel, or some space or part of a vessel for the carriage of goods. The terms, and conditions of this agreement vary with the trade the vessel is engaged for. A Charter Party will usually specify the rate of the hire or freight costs for the carriage of the goods and also spell out in detail the all of the rights and responsibilities of all of the involved parties and other specifics such as the port(s) of loading, discharge, tonnages, time allowed for loading and discharge without penalty or "laytime" etc.

chartering transactions are predominately undertaken.

Chicksan a trade name for type of movable loading and usually made from steel pipe and mounted on a dock facility, which is used in place of a hose. It can extend/retract and has some ability to swivel or pivot but when connected to a vessel, fore and aft movement of the vessel is very limited.

Chock(s) deck fixture or fixtures through which mooring or towing lines are led to prevent chaffing of the lines. These fixtures have several types such as open at the top, closed all around, or roller types where the bearing surface of the chock is a roller.

CHOP Charterers' option

CIF Cost, insurance and freight

CIF A cargo delivery term meaning Cost Insurance Freight. Under this term the exporter or shipper undertakes all risks and expenses to deliver the goods to a specified destination.

Classification Society or Class Society a non

Cleat a fixture on a vessel or dock, which has two horizontal horns around which lines can be wrapped to secure them. These fixtures usually fasten lines under considerable strain therefore they must be firmly fixed to the dock, deck, bulkhead, etc.

Clingage oil or other product, which remains on the tank and piping walls after the bulk of the product or oil, has been removed.

Coaming a framework raised above the deck on which the hatch covers of a vessel rest. The coamings also assist in preventing water from flowing from the deck into a hatch.

Cofferdam narrow space between bulkheads or decks to prevent leakage between adjoining compartments.

COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act

Cold Work work on a vessel, which cannot create a source of ignition.

Collision Bulkhead foremost transverse watertight bulkhead on a vessel.

Combination Carrier a ship designed to carry liquid or dry bulk cargoes, such as an OBO.

Combustible capable of being ignited and of burning. Also known as flammable, but in some instances combustible products have a higher flash point than do some products listed as flammable. A combustible liquid is one that will give off flammable vapors at temperatures above 800 F or 26.70 C.

Combustible Gas Indicator a device used to measure the hydrocarbon/gas mixture in air for determining the degree of the air's flammability.

commodity shipments. Entry into any treated space should only occur after adequate and complete vent

Compass a magnetic or electric gyroscopic device used to steer a vessel on a pre

Concentrates materials obtained from a natural ore through a process of purification by physical or chemically removing all or part of any undesired materials in the ore.

confused with a Charter Party which is another contract related to the hiring of a vessel for the ca

COP Custom of port

Cost and Insurance Under this cargo delivery term the shipper or exporter pays the cost and insurance for the product but the receiver or buyer pays the costs of freight.

Cost Insurance Freight Under this term the exporter or shipper undertakes all risks and expenses to to deliver the goods to a specified destination.

COTP Captain of the Port

COW Crude oil washing

COW Crude Oil Wash, to wash the inner cargo tank space with crude oil usually while discharging. This technique reduces the amount of clingage and slop water generated when tank cleaning. It also increases the nonnal amount of cargo discharged by 1%. This is cargo that would be left clinging to the cargo tank walls. On larger vessels of250000 tons this can mean 2500 tons of oil recovered.

CPP Clean petroleum products

CQD Customary quick dispatch

CQD the old term before SOS replaced it meaning “come quickly danger”. It now is also commonnly used as a shipping term meaning “Customary Quick Dispatch”. When used in the latter contex it means the owner or operator wants all efforts to be made, including overtime work if required, to expedite the vessel’s call in port.

CRISTAL Contract Regarding an Interim Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution

Custom of the Port A list of routine holidays, and work rules, observed in a port area. This can and is referred to in charter parties with relation to payment of overtime and tendering etc.

D [Back to Top]

D WT the total weight of the cargo, plus crew, stores, water, fuel, and ballast onboard at a given time.

Dangerous Area an area on board a tank vessel which, for the purposes of installing electrical devices is considered

dangerous, and special approved equipment needs to be used. [

DAP Days all purposes (i.e total time for loading ( and discharging). Also, diamonium phosphate, a a common fertilizer.

Deadfreight Freight paid for cargo space that was booed by a shipper and then not used due to a cargo shortage or other issue. These funds are paid to the vessel owner in lieu of the freight earnings that would have been paid should the space have been fully utilized. Upon completion of loading the master of the vessel will often Issue a Deadfrelght Claim Notice to the shipper or their representative if all the declared cargo space is not utilized.

Deadweight the measurement of a ship's tonnage indicating the total carrying capacity in tons. It includes the total maximum I weight of the cargo when loaded, plus the crew, stores, water, fuel, and ballast onboard when loaded. This tonnage is often expressed as DWT or dwt and is used as an indicator of the vessel's cargo carrying capacity when loaded to her marks. The actual cargo carrying capacity is the DWT less the weight of the crew, stores, ballast, fuel, and fresh water, etc. As this is usually only about a few thousand tons the dwt is almost equal to the cargo capacity.

Declaration of inspection A specific list of certain tasks which are required to be completed prior to a oil transfer. It is to be completed by the persons in charge from the facility and the vessel involved in the transfer and must be signed by both parties. The form must be made available for inspection teams from the USCG when requested not just for current transfers but for previous transfers as well.

Deepwell Pumps are centrifugal pumps of special design installed above an individual tank with a long vertical shaft with an impeller extending to the tank bottom. Used mainly on product and chemical carriers where segregated piping systems are required.

DEL Delivery

Delivery Order Written Authorization from a carrier to deliver goods to a named party. It is nonnally issued upon surrendering the Original bill of lading to the carrier at the port of destination. i

DELREDEL Delivery and redelivery DEM Demurrage DES Despatch

Demurrage the charge for delaying the vessel beyond the lay time or agreed upon time for loading and/or discharging. This compensation is normally paid to the ship owner by the charterer for the delay of the vessel beyond what was agreed upon as the maximum time for loading/discharging.

Density The mass per unit volume of a substance under specified conditions of pressure and temperature.

Despatch the payment of funds by a vessel owner to a charterer for unused laytime. These funds are paid for expediting the ship loading and discharging and therefore making the vessel available sooner for the carriage of another cargo. The rate of despatch moneys to be paid is fixed in the charter party. Also known as Despatch monies and Dispatch.

DHD Demurrage half dispatch

DHDLTS Demurrage half dispatch laytime saved DO Diesel oil

Disbursement Account Often referred to as the D/A. This is a formal summary of the charges incurred during a vessel's port call. It usually consists of a cover sheet listing the invoices and amounts and any advance funds received and then will show the credit or debit balance owed to the agents. This cover sheet is followed by the original invoices for the services rendered.

Displacement tonnage the weight of the water displaced by the hull, which is equal to the weight of the vessel's structural steel and all of its contents. Likened to placing the vessel on a scale and weighing it when the fuel tanks and stores are. fully loaded but the cargo spaces are empty. It is calculated basis 35 cubic feet of water displaced per ton.

DLOSP Dropping last outward sea pilot

Dock Receipt A document issued by a terminal operator acknowledging the receipt of goods specified on the document and in the conditions stated on the document.

Dockage (a) the charge by the port facility or terminal for a vessel to lay alongside a berth for a given time. (b) plant material in a grain shipment other than the commodity listed such as in a corn or wheat shipment, stems, stocks, husks, etc, are considered dockage. A certain percentage of dockage is permitted depending on the cargoes grade and purchase specifications.

DOP Dropping outward pilot

DOP a term in a charter party usually meaning Dropping Outbound Pilot. Referred to often as the point of delivery or re

Double Bottom A vessel in which the cargo tanks are elevated above the bottom hull plating to provide a void space between the outer skin and the cargo tank floor.

DPP Dirty petroleum products DWAT Deadweight all told

Draft The measurement of the distance between the waterline and the keel or lowest point of the vessel in the water in a straight line. This varies with a vessel's state of loading. Also known as Draught.

Dry certificate a document usually issued by the cargo surveyor noting that the cargo tank is empty, dry, and ready to receive cargo if loading, or that the tank is fully empty after discharging.

Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguishing agent used in fire extinguishers and propelled out of a nozzle usually under air pressure.

Dunnage pieces of wood and timber used to block, brace, wedge, secure, and raise cargo above the deck on board a vessel. It is meant to protect cargo from sweating bulkhead and to prevent undesired movement of the cargo in a seaway.

DWCC Deadweight cargo capacity '-.

DWT Deadweight

E [Back to Top]

Earthing Another term for grounding electrically two separate objects. In the case of a tanker the ship is usually earthed or grounded to the shore or shore connection(s).

EEP Export Enhancement Program

EIU Even if used

EPIRB Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon

ETA Estimated time of arrival

ETA Estimated time of Arrival

ETC Estimated time of completion ETD Estimated time of departure

ETC Estimated Time of Completion

ETD Estimated Time of Departure.

ETR Estimated time of readiness FAC Fast as can

Explosimeter a device used to determine if the atmosphere of a particular space is explosive, without creating an explosion itself.

Export Enhancement Program Also known as EEP. Enacted by the U.S. to subsidize U.S. Exports. A response to a similar European Program subsidizing their exports.

Extract A summary or copy of something written

F [Back to Top]

FAK Freight All Kinds

famous brand name is "butterworth". Therefore when a tank is butterworthed it is being cleaned. Tank a vessel specifically designed to carry liquid cargoes in bulk.

Fantail the stern of a vessel which overhangs the water.

FAS Free alongside FC Full cargo

Fathom A unit of measure equal to 6 feet used when measuring ocean depths.

FCC First class charterers (a commonly used, meaningless phrase, which should be avoided. Better to say, if you need to keep the name undisclosed: local charters or a similar phrase)

FD Free discharge

FDD Freight, demurrage and defense (a type of insurance for legal expenses available from a P and I club)

Federal Register daily publication that compiles every new regulation, change to regulation, or proposed regulation enacted by any branch of the U.S. Government. Any new regulations passed will be published here before the new regulation books, CFR's, can be updated.

Fender a device used to cushion a vessel hull from damage when lying against a pier or another vessel.

FEU Forty foot container equivalent units

FHEX Fridays and Holidays excepted (i .e. excluded)

FIO Free in and out

FIO Free in and out

FIOS Free in and out and free stowed

FIOST Free in and Out Stowed and Trimmed. In some quarters it is also known to mean: Free in and out "Spout" Trimmed. This is another variant of FIO which includes the expenses for stowing and trimming the cargo.

FIOT Free in and out and free trimmed

FIOT Free in and Out Trimmed has basically the same meaning as FIOST as the cargo cannot normally be trimmed until it is stowed.

Fixture A term used at the conclusion of the shipbroker's negotiations to charter a ship when a vessel is contracted or fixed to load a particular shipment. As an Example: "the vessel has been fixed to load scrap" etc.

FL Free load

Flag State a country which allows vessels to register under their flag or nation's authority. The nation under which a vessel is registered and whose flag they fly.

Flame Arrester device used to keep open flames or sparks from coming into direct contact with the atmosphere

Flame Screens Screens added to vent pipes and access holes to diffiIse flames or sparks from entering.

Flammable Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly; inflammable. Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. However, the presence of the prefix in

Flashpoint The lowest temperature at which the vapor of a combustible liquid can be made to ignite. :

Flow Moisture Point the point at which the percentage of moisture is great enough in a granular material to cause the ! material to flow as a liquid under a prescribed test. '

Flow State the state of a granular cargo when it is saturated with moisture to the point at which it will behave as a liquid j when external force such as a ship's motion is applied.

FM Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, D.C.

FO Free out, fuel oil, or firm offer (depends context)

FO (a) Free out (b) Fuel Oil (c) For Orders

Foam fine, frothy bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid, as from agitation. A thick chemical froth, such as shaving cream used as a substance used to fight fires.

Foam monitor A fire fighting nozzle specifically designed to introduce fire fighting foam solution into the water stream at the right ratio and aeration to make the foam project in to or on to a fire or potential fire area to suppress flammable vapors from forming.

FOB Free on board

FOB Also F.O.B. and f.o.b.

FONASBA Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents .-

FONASBA Federation of National Association of Ship brokers and Agents. An advisory group which helps set shipping rules, forms and formats, and assists in promulgating international shipping rules and regulations.

Foot Sample When chemical carriers load high value and very pure products, they will commence loading until about one foot of cargo is in the bottom of the tank, then stop. They will take a sample this cargo, known as the foot sample up the facility's lab for analysis to see if during the loading of this one foot of cargo there was any contamination. Ifnot, they will resume loading the tank until completion. If contamination is present in the foot sample they will try to determine the source, while they pump the now off spec cargo to the shore, and start over again, It is hoped that the amount loaded during the foot of cargo is enough to clean the contamination from the tank and piping. This is done to prevent the entire tank being loaded and then contaminated thereby requiring the full cargo to be reprocessed.

Forecastle pronounced "foks'l" The forward deck section of a vessel. It usually refers to a deck section raised above the main deck of a ship located at the bow usually forward of the foremast.

Foreign Flag Usually refers to a vessel which is not the sailing under the flag or nationality of the country it is in.

Forepeak A watertight compartment at the extreme forward end of a ship.

FOW First open water

Freeboard The distance between the water line and the uppermost full deck of a ship usually the main deck.

Freight Usually refers to the funds payable to the carrier (ship owner) for the transportation or carriage of goods or

freight, stevedoring, and insurance are paid up at the time of loading or delivery on board the vess

FW Fresh water

FW Fresh Water

FWAD Fresh water arrival draft

FWD (l) Forward (2) Fresh Water Damage

FWDD Fresh water departure draft

G [Back to Top]

GA TT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. A treaty between 108 countries covering trading rules for about 80% of world trade. Has now been superseded by the World Trade Organization or WTO.

GAFT A Grain and Free Trade Association

Gang when used in relation to ships and shipping it is a group of men, usually members of a longshore union, who work together to physically load or unload a vessel using the appropriate equipment required.

Gangway a ladder like piece of equipment with steps which spans from the vessel's deck to the shore or dock to facilitate embarkation and disembarkation of personnel.

Gantry or Gantry Crane An aerial crane on which the upper blocks travel on a shuttle type frame over parallel rails to load or discharge cargo from a vessel.

Gas Free When a compartment, tank, or space has had sufficient fresh air introduced to render the atmosphere free from toxic, explosive, or inert gasses and permit entry for men to conduct work, specifically hot work, etc..

Gas Free Certificate a certificate issued by a certified marine chemist stating that a particular compartment was personally inspected at a particular time and found safe for men, safe for hot work, or gas free.

Gauge Float a float used in an automatic gauge system for measuring the ullage of a tank. Gauge Radar

Gauge Radar a radar system for determining the ullage of a tank.

Gauge Tape also known as a sounding tape. A manual method of measuring the ullage or inage of a tank.

Gearless a term used to describe a vessel which does not have cranes or equipment installed onboard to facilitate the loading or discharging of its cargoes.

GENCON Code name for BIMCO's Uniform General Charter Party Form.

General Agents An agent who usually has been appointed by contract with a carrier to provide a wide range of services to the carrier including cargo bookings, equipment control, documentation, ship husbandry and other functions as authorized.

General Average When a cargo loss occurs and general average is declared during a voyage, especially when there are multiple shippers and commodities, the amount of the total loss is averaged against all the cargo on the vessel based on a valuation formula. The settlement of the claims are paid by each and every shipper or their insurance carrier based on the average. A shipper, or their insurance carrier, may have to pay a share of a partial loss to others who had a loss or damage claim even when their own cargo may not have incurred any of the same damage or loss.

GL Gross load

GLESS Gearless describes a ship which lacks the equipment (gear) that could 1oad and discharge its own cargo.

GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

GO Gas oil (a type of fuel similar to, but usually more expensive than marine diesel oil)

GPS Global Positioning System. A network of satellites orbiting the earth used to electronically fix the position of a vessel or person who has a GPS receiver for navigational purposes. This system is replacing LORAN, OMEGA, and other forms of electronic navigation. Civilian GPS receivers can fix your position within 10 meters nearly anywhere on the globe.

Grab A piece of cargo handling equipment made from two halves which when dropped onto bulk products and pulled up "grabs" a bite of the product for discharging or loading.

Grain Capacity the total cubic capacity of a vessel for handling grain cargoes.

Gross tons the interior volume of a vessel including its cargo areas, accommodation, enclosed deck spaces, and engineering spaces, divided by 100 cu. ft. = the gross tons. Not related to weight.

Gross Weight the total weight of a merchandise shipment including the containers, packing, blocking, etc. as opposed to net weight is the weight of the merchandise only.

Ground Tackle refers to all anchors and ancillary equipment related to anchoring. Gypsy Head

GRT Gross registered ton(s) (nage)

Gyro compass Gyroscopic compass is an electrically driven compass which points to true north. This information is displayed on gyro repeaters in various locations about the bridge and steering areas allowing the helmsmen to steer a true course as opposed to a magnetic compass course.

H [Back to Top]

Halon a type of gas used in fire extinguishing. It works by displacing the oxygen in the area where it is used.

Handy max a dry bulk vessel size class of 35000

Handy size a popular dry bulk vessel size ranging from 20000

Hatch An opening in a deck through which cargo and/or merchandise is loaded or discharged from a vessel. Often confused with and used in place of the word Hold which is the space onboard a vessel where the cargo or merchandise is stowed.

Hatch Cover The structural covering of a hatch opening which rests on the coaming to seal and prevent the inflow of water or other undesirable weather or infestation to the holds.

Hatch Square the deck area directly below the hatch opening in a cargo hold.

Hawse Pipe the heavy gauge pipe through which the anchor chain passes and where the anchor stock usually is housed while underway.

Hazardous Area an area on shore where installation and use of normal electrical equipment is regarded as dangerous.

Helm used to refer to a tiller and is now considered the station from which a vessel is steered and or the equipment used to steer a vessel.

HHDW Heavy handy deadweight (scrap)

Hogged a term used to describe the condition of a ship meaning the center draft is Jess than the fore and aft ends.

Hold the space onboard a vessel where cargo or merchandise is stowed.

Hot Work any work on a vessel which will create a spark, flame, or high heat which might cause a secondary fire or explosion. Usually refers to welding or cutting of steel.

Hot Work Permit A permit issued by a governing authority authorizing hot wok on a vessel or facility. Usually required on vessels or facilities handling dangerous cargoes.

HSS Heavy grains, soybeans & sorghums

Hull the framing and outer skin of a vessel, excluding masts, and superstructures.

Hull Underwriters The insurance company which provides coverage for damage or Josses to or of the huJl or machinery on a vessel.

Husbanding in shipping this refers to handling all of a vessels needs and requirements which are not cargo related.

Hydrocarbon Gas a gas composed completely of hydrocarbons

hydrocarbons found naturally in the earth's strata and which can be refmed into products ranging fro

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I

IAPH International Association Of Ports And Harbors

IBC Code the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk. It includes an index of Dangerous Chemicals carried in bulk which is used when stowage planning these vessels. If a vessel was built after 01 July 1986 both the IBC code and the BCH code apply to the construction and equipment requirements.

ICS International Chamber Of Shipping

IFO lntermediate fuel oil,

IGS Inert gas system

IGS Inert Gas System

IL WU International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union

ILA International Longshoremen's Association

ILOHC In lieu of hold cleaning

IMDG International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

IMO International Maritime Organization (formerly IMCO)

IMO International Maritime Organization

Inboard inside the ship's rail or towards the center.

INCOT including overtime

Indemnity Compensation for loss/damage or injury. When a Joss occurs this word is an insurance principle where the party suffering the loss would be restored to the same condition before the loss or if the loss had not occurred.

Indemnity Compensation for loss/damage or injury. When a Joss occurs this word is an insurance principle where the party suffering the loss would be restored to the same condition before the loss or if the loss had not occurred.

Inert Condition a tank which has been blanketed with inert gas.

Inert Gas a gas or combination of gases which has insufficient oxygen to support the combustion of hydrocarbons.

Inerting the process of introducing inert gas into a tank for the purpose of attaining an inert condition.

INMARSA T The International Maritime Satellite Organization

INS Immigration and Naturalization Service. Now part of Customs & Boarder Protection (CBP).

Insulating Flange a flanged joint incorporating an insulating gasket to prevent electrical continuity between hose or pipeline connections.

Interface Detector a detector used to determine the boundary between oil and water in a tank.

International Loadline Certificate A certificate issued by a vessel's class society on behalf of the flag state. It is issued under the rules set forth by the International Loadline Convention 1966/72. It is required for any vessel over 24 meters engaged in international voyages. It excepts warships, fishing vessels, and pleasure boats.

INTERTANKO International Association of Independent Tanker Owners. An association of tank vessel owners based in Oslo. They are an advisory group to monitor and comment on international tanker policy and regulation.

Intrinsically Safe an electrical circuit or part of an electrical circuit is intrinsically safe if any spark or thermal effect produced normally by breaking or closing the circuit, either automatically or intentionally, is incapable of igniting a prescribed gas mixture under test conditions.

Invitation for Bid Also referred to as the IFB. A formal request to grain suppliers to seek offers or bids to supply grain. It will list the conditions that the supplier must meet for delivery including the type, quality, or grade of the cargo to be purchased, the quantity desired, the terms of sale, the shipping period, the payment terms, documents required to accompany the grain etc..

ISM International Safety Management Code

ISO International Organization for Standards.

ISO 9002 The ISO number designation which applies the international quality standard to service providing companies.

Isolation valve a valve used to segregate a piping system line or a series of pipelines from one another when commingling of cargoes is not desirable.

ITF International Transport Workers Federation

IWL Institute Warranty Limits

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Jetty A breakwater running out into the sea to protect a harbor or coastline. Sometimes used as another name for a pier.

JOC Journal of Commerce

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Keel the extreme bottom plating or beam of a vessel at the center running the length of a ship from stem to stern from which the ribs or floors start. Likened to the backbone of the ship.

Knot A unit of speed measurement. One knot means a vessel is traveling at one nautical mile per hour. One nautical mile = 6080 feet/1. 151 statue miles/I 853 meters.

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L/C Letter of credit; or laydays/canceling

L/C Letter of Credit

LASH Lighter aboard ship (a barge carrying vessel)

Launch (a) top place into the water for the first time. (b) a small boat with or without an engine used to move people to or from a vessel at anchorage.

Lay time the amount of time contractually agreed upon when vessel loading or discharging is to take place without additional charge or demurrage being paid. Normally fixed on the basis of a certain loading and or discharging rate, such as 5000 tons per day, etc.. Overall this is the time period that has been agreed upon between the parties where the owner will make the vessel available for loading or discharging without payment of additional freight or demurrage.

Laycan or laycan days Laytime Cancellation days. In most charter parties there is a set period of days in which the owner agrees to present the vessel for loading. Should the vessel owner fail to present the vessel by the last date of this agreed upon shipping period the charterer has the option to cancel or renegotiate the charter in accordance with the canceling date clause in the charter party.

Laydays the number of days contractually agreed upon when vessel loading or discharging is to take place without additional charge or demurrage being paid. See Laytime.

LBP Length between perpendiculars

LBP Length Between Perpendiculars.

LCL Less than (full) container load.

LCL Less than (full) container load.

LD Load

LDD Leaded

Letter of Indemnity A letter issued normally by a cargo receiver to a carrier in lieu of presenting an original bill of lading basically stating that the receiver will hold harmless and indemnify the carrier should the cargo be discharged to the wrong party because the original bill of lading was not presented. This will normally allow the discharging of cargo without presentation of the origin a] bills of lading if the carrier is satisfied that the letter of indemnity offers sufficient protection to them.

LFL Lower Flammability Limit

LGM Lawful general merchandise

Light Condition When a vessel is in a ballasted condition carrying no merchandise or cargo.

Light Dues A charge to vessels for maintaining aids to navigation including lighthouses, lightships ranges, buoys, markers, etc. The term originated in the UK. In some areas this charge is part of the tonnage taxes and/or harbor dues which are charged to vessels calling in certain harbors.

Lightening Holes holes in the structural steel which physically make the structure lighter.

Lightering the process of loading cargo from one vessel to another, usually from a larger vessel to a smaller one.

Limit Of Liability the financial limit a vessel owner must pay when they or their vessel is found to be liable for an incident, such as an oil spill, or collision. This used to be a fixed fonnula, such as 3 times the value of the vessel and its cargo, but with CPA 90 this limit has no real stopping point depending on individual States requirements on top of the federal limit of liability.

Line displacement

Liner A term used to describe a vessel which is employed on a specific and habitual port schedule for loading and discharging of goods.

List also known as the Angle of Heel or tilt to one side or another of a vessel as read on an inc]inometer, which is an instrument that measures the side to side incline of a vessel. The list can also be determined by reading the difference at the center of the ship between the draft from one side of the ship to the other at the same time.

Lloyd's of London an association of private insurance underwriters based in London who provide coverage for marine and other risks.

Lloyd's Register of Shipping Also referred to as Lloyd's Register and LR, is a British ships classification society LOA

LNG Liquefied natural gas

LNG Liquefied Natural Gas

LNG Carrier A type of tank vessel purposely built for carrying LNG under pressure at low temperatures.

LOA Length over all

Loading arms usually made from steel pipe and mounted on a dock facility or specialized vessels and which is used in place of a hose. It can extend/retract and has some ability to swivel or pivot but when connected to a vessel, fore and aft movement of the vessel or vessel(s) is very limited. Also called "chicksans" which is one of the brand names of a popular loading arm maker.

Loading orders sometimes also known as the loading plan, these orders are issued usually by the vessel's chief officer and specify the loading quantity, rate, tank sequence, and any other special requirements for loading a particular cargo safely.

Loading Overall the loading of liquid cargo or ballast "over the top" through an open ended pipe or hose through a hatch or deck opening. Not a preferred method and may be illegal on some vessels in some areas depending on the cargo.

Loadline a set of markings amidships on a vessel showing to what point a vessel can be safely loaded for transiting various areas of the world depending on water density and/or season. Also referred to as the p]imsoll marks. See International Loadline Certificate.

LOC Letter of Compliance. Sometimes also referred to a Certificate of Compliance

LOF Lloyd's open form. A salvage contract form under which the salvager and vessel owner agrees that the salvager does not get paid immediately for services rendered. The salvage company(ies) are paid after a board meets usually in London to determine and consider the value of the cargo onboard, the services rendered to save it, what and how much was saved, and the risk and expense that was involved to save it.

Long ton a ton equal to 2240 pounds

Longitudinal Bulkhead a wall within a snip which divides space and runs fore and aft.

Longitudinal Stiffener a piece of steel running fore and aft between frames which adds strength to a vessel's structure. Longshoreman

LOT Load on top

LOT Load On Top

Lower Flammability Limit the concentration of gases in air which has not reached a point of concentration to support combustion. Also known as LEL or Lower Explosive Limit.

LPG Liquefied petroleum gas

LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas

LT long ton (of 2240 pounds)

LTS Laytime saved

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Maiden voyage a new vessel's fITst voyage after sea trials and delivery to the owners. .

Managing Owners a person or company assigned by the actual owner of a vessel to be responsible for the shp's operation, manning, maintenance and other owner related vessel issues.

Manifest (cargo) A descriptive list of all the merchandise a vessel is carrying at the time of port entry.

MARAD Maritime Admdnistration (branch of u.s. Dept. of Transportation concert8i with shipping)

MARPOL The International Convention for Prevention of Pollution £ran Ships 1973 as Modified by the Protocol of 1978

MARPOL an abbreviation for Marine Pollution used to describe the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships of 1973. Known as the MARPOL Convention.

Master The person in sole charge of a vessel. Normally the Captain.

Mate's receipt A document prepared by the shipper or their representatives at the terminal which shows the description of the goods, the shipper's quantity and/or weight and usually the packaging. This receipt is signed, after loading, by the Chief Officer as an official receipt for the goods on board. The original mate's receipt is then usually presented to the carrier and exchanged for signed original bills of lading issued by the carrier using the quantities shown on the mate's receipt. These original bills of lading then act as the receipt for goods.

MBT Motor blocks & turnings (types of scrap) MOO Mar ire diesel oil

MDO Marine diesel oil.

Mean Low Water also expressed as ML W, the average height in a given area of the low water tide based on historical records for that area. This is usually the datum point from which depths are calculated on a chart or in navigational publications.

MED Mediterranean (Sea)

merchandise loaded.

merchandise.

Methyl bromide a popular fumigant used to kill any actual or potential infestations in timber, lumber, grain, and other

Metric ton A ton equal to 2204.62 pounds or 1000 kilograms.

Mid body length

Mid Deck Alternative

MOA Memorandum of Agreement (Contract form used for the purchase and sale of ships.)

MOD the U.K.'s Ministry of Defense

MOL Mitsui O.S.K. Lines also referred to as MOSK

MOLOO More or less, quantity in owners' option MT Metric ton (of 2204.6223 pounds or 1000 kilograms)

Moored a point at which a vessel is secured in position to a dock, by means of mooring ropes to a dock, or to the ocean floor

Mooring the process of securing a vessel to a dock, terminal, mooring buoy, or another vessel..

Mooring Arrangement the arrangement of the anchors, winches, and lines, used for the purposes of securing the ship in position at a dock or mooring facility.

mooring lines and for anchor chain.

MSC Military Sealift Command

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet

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NAABSA Not always safely afloat but safely aground NCB National Cargo Bureau

NAEGA North American Export Grain Association

Naked Lights Lights or other sources of ignition such as cigarettes, matches, flame, or light bulbs which are unprotected by a secondary cover which is sealed, or anything else which might act as a source of ignition.

Nautical Mile a measurement of 6080 feet, when a vessel travels this distance in one hour it is considered as traveling at one knot of speed, if2 x this distance per hour then 2 knots, etc.

Navigation the process of detennining a vessels position, course, and speed, at a given time to ensure the safe and timely arrival at its destination.

NDFCAPMOS No deadfreight for charterer's account providing minimum quantity supplied

Negligence the absence of care or consideration of a reasonable person under a set of circumstances. Non

Net tons the interior volume of a vessel excluding the engine spaces, accommodation, or other enclosed deck space not used for the carriage of goods divided by 100 cu ft = the net tons. Used as a base for calculation of tonnage taxes.

Net Weight relates to how heavy goods are without their packaging.

NEWCI Not east of West Coast of Italy NOR Notice of readiness

Norgrain the code name of a BIMCO approved charter party used for some North American Grain shipments. The Charter

Normally handled by the agent. Examples would be the coordination of bunkering, storing, crew change

Notice of Readiness A document presented to a shipper or receiver officially notifying them that a vessel has arrived in or at the port and is ready for loading or discharging. The time of tendering is the arrival time of the vessel at or in the port in accordance with the charter party and not the time the document arrived in the shipper or receiver's offices. Many people confuse this, but a ship does not arrive in the office it arrives in port and it is at that time that the vessel is ready for cargo operation, not the time the document is presented. That being said due diligence should be made to get the notice to the shippers or receivers in a timely manner to avoid disputes.

Notify Party Bills of Lading and other shipment contracts will list a "notify party" who is the party who is to be notified by the carrier pfthe shipments arrival time and place.

NPA National Petroleum Ass'n. - usually with reference to ASTM D-155 color scale, for instance "undarker than 2.5 NP A", Which can be described as " extra lemon pale"

NRT Net registered ton(s) NSF Norwegian Sale Form

NVOCC Non vessel owning common carrier

NWS New Worldscale

NYPE New York Produce Exchange (Time Charter form) OBO An Ore/bulk/oil carrying vessel OBQ Onboard quantity OT Overtime

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OBO Oil and Bulk Oil carrier. Refers to a vessel which is fitted to carry both dry bulk and liquid cargoes.

OCIMF Oil Companies International Marine Forum

Offhire a term used to describe the time at which a vessel is no longer meeting the terms of readiness for a shipment and is therefore no longer earning revenue during that time. Some situations which can cause offhire periods are holds not clean, dry, free from infestation; engine failure, cannot sail due to crew problem or shortage. Etc.. When a vessel's condition changes back to meet the contract or charter party terms it is placed back on

Official Number a number issued to every registered vessel by their flag state. Not to be confused with the Lloyd's Number which is issued by Lloyd's Register of Shipping.

Officials to board the vessel.

OPA 90

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Panama Canal. The actual limits of the Canal are 270 meters by 33 meters, but most Panamax vessels a

Panamax a solid bulk vessel class which refers to ships that are designed for the maximum size for passage through the

PANDI Protection and Indemnity (insurance) PC Part cargo

Party is issued by the Association of Steamship Brokers and Agents.

Peak Tanks small ballast tanks at the extreme ends fore or aft that are used for trimming.

Pelican Hook a type of hook used to hold lines or chain. This type of hook can be released under strain and is often used for

Petroleum A liquid mineral oil which has a color range from slightly yellow to black derived from liquid and solid

Petroleum gas a gas derived from petroleum. May be called LPG for 1iquefied retroleum Qas

PG Persian Gulf (used when vessels are proceeding to Iranian ports) (see AG)

Pilot a person who directs and assists a vessel in navigating confined areas and/or harbors using their local expertise related to currents, conditions and personal knowledge.

Pilotage the charges associated with providing pilot services to a vessel.

Plimsoll Mark A horizontal mark on a vessels hull amidships on both side which notes the maximum depth a vessel can load. to or be submerged, and still have sufficient reserve buoyancy for a safe passage. The mark actually has several lines which vary slightly for the area to be transited and the density of the water the vessel is in. Named after Samuel Plimsoll a seaman's advocate who was instrumental in the creation of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876.

PMO Passing Muscat outbound; i.e. exiting the Persian/ Arabian Gulf .-,.

Port -( a) A sheltered place where a vessel can load or unload merchandise. (b) The left side of a vessel when facing forward. (c) A round, square, oval, or rectangular shaped opening on the side of a ship or its superstructure through which light and/or fresh air can pass.

Port ( a) A sheltered place where a vessel can load or unload merchandise. (b) The left side of a vessel when facing forward. (c) A round, square, oval, or rectangular shaped opening on the side of a ship or its superstructure through which light and/or fresh air can pass.

Pour Point The lowest temperature at which a petroleum oil will remain fluid.

Pre transfer conference

Pressure Surge A sudden increase in the pressure of the liquid in a pipeline brought about by an abrupt change in the flow

Pressure/Vacuum (PV) Relief Valve a valve which permits the release or intake of air in to or out of a tank only when the pressure or vacuum within the tank exceeds the preset limits of the valve. This can prevent tank explosion or implosion when loading or discharging a tank.

Protection and Indemnity Club(s) Known as the P & I club{s). Basically an insurance provider made up of a mutual association of ship owners who enroll or join the club to provide insurance protection for cargo and liability claims and other claims not covered by normal marine insurance. Claims for non

Pumproom A room where the main cargo pumps are located on a tank vessel.

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REDEL Redelivery

REDWS Rate, extras and demurrage according to Worldscale

Refrigerated Vessel A vessel designed specifically for the carriage of chilled or frozen goods usually break bulk or unitized on pallets, such as eggs, fruits, meats, etc.

removed and processed. The oily water which remains is then loaded "on top of'. This method reduces

RO/RO Roll on roll off

ROB Remaining on board

ROB abbreviation for Remaining On Board. Usually refers to bunkers at a particular time such as the completion of a voyage.

Rudder Post the post on which the rudder is mounted and pivots on.

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SA South America

Sagged when the ends of a ship are bent upwards due to a concentration of weight amidships.

Salinity The amount of salt content expressed by weight in parts of thousands in a liquid. Salt water density = approximately 1.025. Freshwater density = 1.000.

SAM Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc., New York

SB Safe berth

SBM Single booy mooring - used for loading tankers offshore; also soybean

SBT Segregated ballast tank

SCAC Standard Carrier Alpha Code

Screw (1) A term used to describe the propeller on a vessel. (2) a fastener

Scuppers Deck drains.

Sea Chest A water intake compartment on the hull of a vessel under the waterline usually covered by a grating level or even with the hull plating. Water is feed from the Sea Chest to the Sea Suction to permit the ingress of sea water for ship's use.

Sea suction a pipeline from the sea chest which sea water flows into a ship for cooling engines, ballasting, or other shipboard needs.

SED Shipper's Export Declaration

Segregated Ballast Ballast which is stored in segregated tanks not used for the carriage of oil products therefore ballast water can be discharged from the vessel without possibility of oil contamination.

Segregated Tanks tanks which are isolated from one another to prevent commingling of products or ballast water. Shell Plating

SHEX Sundays and holidays excepted (i. e. excluded)

SHEX/SHINCISHEXIU acronym terms used in chartering which mean Sundays and Holidays Excluded/Sundays and Holidays Included/Sundays and Holidays Excluded Except If Used. These terms relate to the calculation of Laytime and there are several variations of this often used and abbreviated term.

SHINC Sundays and holidays included

Shipper the person, party (company) who is designated in the contract for the carriage of goods to deliver the cargo to the carrier for shipment.

Shipper's Export Declaration a document which is required by US regulation to be surrendered to Customs with the export manifest within four days of any shipment being exported.

shipping.

Short ton A ton equal to 2000 lbs.

SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea Convention

Solid Bulk Cargo any material, other than liquid or gas consisting of a combination of particles, granules, or any larger pieces of material, generally uniform in dimension and composition which is loaded into a cargo space directly without any packaging or intermediate form of containment.

Sour Crude Oil used to describe crude oil which is high in hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans and therefore confined spaces and tanks where sour crude is transported can develop high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas.

SP Safe Port

Specific gravity The ratio of the mass of a solid or liquid to the mass of an equal volume of distilled water at 4°C (39°F) or of a gas to an equal volume of air or hydrogen under prescribed conditions of temperature and pressure.

SPM Single point mooring

Spontaneous Combustion any ignition which occurs without external influence.

Spring Lines Mooring lines which run from forward to an after position on the dock and aft to a forward position on the dock. These lines prevent forward and aft movement when a vessel is moored.

Square Hatch Square the deck area directly below the hatch opening in a cargo hold.

SSHEX Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted

ST Short Ton

Stability A term when used in relation to ships means the desired balance between cargo, ballast, and buoyancy, to ensure

Stanchion a support post for a life rail or life ropes to prevent people from falling overboard.

Starboard the right side of a vessel when facing forward.

Statement of Fact a document usually prepared by the agent which lists the significant times and events during a vessel's port call. This document is signed by the preparer, the vessel master, and the terminal's, or shipper's, or receiver's, I representative. The times on a Statement of Fact are then used to calculate the laytime usually using a calculation sheet I called a "laytime statement."

Statement of Satisfactory Loading A document prepared by the agent and/or stevedore Stating that the vessel was loaded, stowed, and trimmed to the master's satisfaction upon completion of loading. This is presented to the master after completion of loading on a dry bulk carrier and before sailing for his signature. If he has any problems with the stowage he then should protest it or sign that he is satisfied. Not all masters will . sign this document on advise from owners and/or the P and I club. Not used on tank vessels.

Static Electricity 1. An accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body. 2. Electric discharge resulting from the accumulation of an electric charge. from the accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body.

STCW International Maritime Organization's Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for’ Seafarers Convention 1978. An international agreement on the standards for certification and qualifications for certification of Seafarers

Stem The curved upright beams at the extreme forward part of a vessel into which the hull timbers or shell plating or are scar fed or welded to form the prow.

Stern Line A mooring line which extends from the stem leading aft to the dock. This line holds the stern end against the dock and assists in preventing a vessel from moving forward.

Stowage Factor figure which expresses the cubic space a specific material will occupy. Often expressed in cubic feet per long ton, or cubic meters per metric ton.

Stripping ( a) the term used for discharging the last part of the cargo from a tank. Sometimes special stripping pumps are used which can maintain suction after the main cargo pump inlets cannot. (b) the process of removing one's clothes.

Suction Bell A flared or bell shaped pipe intake for the main cargo pumps.

SW Salt water

SWAD Salt water arrival draft

SWDD Salt water departure draft

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TA Transatlantic

Tank Cleaning Machine A sprinkler like device which is used with high pressure to clean the inside of cargo tanks. One

TARV Transatlantic round voyage

TBN To be named (or nominated)

TC Time charter

tension is exceeded, therefore avoiding the parting of a towing hawser, or mooring line under excess a facility designed to receive and load cargoes to vessels. Topping Off

Tension Winch a winch with which you can set a specific tension and it will maintain this tension and payout line if the set

TEU Twenty foot Container equivalent unit

that the vessel will not capsize during the expected conditions during a voyage. This is accomplishe

the side of accommodates persons while boarding or leaving the vessel. Usually required by U.S. Gov

TIP Taking inward pilot (contrast this to APS, arrival pilot station)

Toxic poisonous, capable of causing injury or death.

TP Transpacific

TPI Tons per inch (immersion)

Transportable Moisture Limit TML refers to the maximum amount of moisture allowable in a shipment of granular (dry bulk) material in order to keep it from acting like a liquid when external force such as the rolling of a ship is applied. These limits are listed in The Code of Safe Practice For Solid Bulk Cargoes Also known as the BC Code. This code is adopted as part of the SOLAS Convention. This limits are derived from a prescribed test of the material to determine the Flow Moisture Point,

transportation.

Transverse Bulkhead a vertical wall which divides a space within a vessel running from side to side of the vessel.

Trim the fore and aft angle of a vessel or the differnce between the forward and aft draft readings. Trimmed by the head means the bow is down in the water more than the stem. Trimmed by the stern means the bow is higher out of the water than the stem. A slight trim by the stem is always desirable as this makes the vessel's steering and control easier. An even keel means the draft is equal at both ends of the ship. Trim should not be confused with List which is the side to side draft readings.

Trimming (l) the process of levelin2 a solid bulk car20 within a car20 space partially or totally, by means of the loading spout, chutes, spoons, portable equipment, machinery, and/or manual labor. (2) the process of shifting cargo or ballast within a ship to ensure proper trim (fore and aft angle) of the vessel.

Turn Of The Bilge the rounded shell plating which curves from the underside of a vessel to its sides.

Two valve separation Some cargoes must be kept from commingling, and in some cases to provide for an extra margin of safety, two isolation valves are closed between the incompatible cargoes so contamination cannot occur.

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UK United Kingdom

UKAH United Kingdom/Continent, Antwerp/Hamburg range UKBH United Kingdom/Continent, Bordeaux/Hamburg range

UKBH United Kingdom/Continent, Havre/Hamburg range

UKC United Kingdom/Continent

ULCC Ultra large crude (oil) carrier above 320,000 tons deadweight

Ullage the amount of space or distance from the top of a liquid in a tank to a fixed reference point at the top of the tank.

Ullage Report A form used to record the ullage readings in a vessels tanks which is then used to determine the amount of cargo within the tanks on a vessel.

UNCTA