Chartering Abbreviations

SHIPPING TERMS

CHARTERING ABBREVIATIONS – TERMS & DEFINITIONS 

A
AA

AAAA

AARA

ABT

ADCOM

AFSPS

AFFREIGHTMENT

ALWAYS AFLOAT

ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE ALWAYS AFLOAT

AMSTERDAM-ANTWERP-ROTTERDAM AREA

ABOUT

ADDRESS COMMISSION

ARRIVAL FIRST SEA PILOT STATION (NORWAY)

THE HIRING OF A SHIP IN WHOLE OR PART

AFT

AGW

AHL

ANTHAM

APS

ARAG

A/S

ATDNSHINC

ATUTC

AT OR TOWARDS THE STERN OR REAR OF A SHIP

ALL GOING WELL

AUSTRALIAN HOLD LADDERS

ANTWERP-HAMBURG RANGE

ARRIVAL PILOT STATION

AMSTERDAM-ROTTERDAM–ANTWERP-GHENT RANGE

ALONGSIDE

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS INCLUDED

ACTUAL TIMES USED TO COUNT

B
BAF BUNKER ADJUSTMENT FACTOR. A FUEL SURCHARGE EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE ADDED OR SUBTRACTED FROM THE FREIGHT AMOUNT REFLECTING THE MOVEMENT IN THE MARKET PLACE PRICE FOR BUNKERS.
BALLAST HEAVY WEIGHT, OFTEN SEA WATER, NECESSARY FOR THE STABILITY AND SAFETY OF A SHIP WHICH IS NOT CARRYING CARGO.
BAREBOAT CHTR BAREBOAT CHARTER – OWNERS LEASE A SPECIFIC SHIP AND CONTROL ITS TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ONLY.

 

BBB

BDI

BENDS

BI

BIMCO

BL (1)

BEFORE BREAKING BULK

BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE

BOTH ENDS (LOAD & DISCHARGE PORTS)

BOTH INCLUSIVE

THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL

BALE

BL (2) (BILL OF LADING) A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE CARRIER WHICH ACTS AS A RECEIPT AND EVIDENCE OF TITLE TO THE CARGO.
BM

BEAM

BOB

BOFFER

BROB

BSS

BSS 1/1

BT

BEAM

THE MAXIMUM BREADTH OF A SHIP

BUNKER ON BOARD

BEST OFFER

BUNKERS REMAINING ON BOARD

BASIS

BASIS 1 PORT TO 1 PORT

BERTH TERMS

BUNDLING THIS IS THE ASSEMBLY OF PIECES OF CARGO, SECURED INTO ONE MANAGEABLE UNIT.  THIS IS A VERY FLEXIBLE DESCRIPTION, A RULE OF THUMB IS TO PRESENT CARGO AT A SIZE EASILY HANDLED BY A LARGE (20 TONNE) FORK LIFT TRUCK.
BUNKERS NAME GIVEN FOR VESSELS FUEL AND DIESEL OIL SUPPLIES (ORIGINATES FROM COAL BUNKERS)
BWAD BRACKISH WATER ARRIVAL DRAFT
C
CBM

CBFT (OR CFT)

CFR (OR C&F)

CHOPT

CHTRS

CUBIC METER

CUBIC FEET

COST AND FREIGHT

CHARTERERS OPTION

CHARTERERS

CIF COST, INSURANCE & FREIGHT. SELLER PAYS ALL THESE COSTS TO A NOMINATED PORT OR PLACE OF DISCHARGE.
COA CONTRACT OF AFFREIGHTMENT – OWNERS AGREE TO ACCEPT A COST PER REVENUE TON FOR CARGO CARRIED ON A SPECIFICNUMBER OF VOYAGES.
COACP

COB

COD

COGSA

CONS

COP

CP (OR C/P)

CPD

CPT

CQD

CROB

CRN

CST

CTR

CONTRACT OF AFFREIGHTMENT CHARTER PARTY

CLOSE OF BUSINESS

CASH ON DELIVERY

CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA ACT

CONSUMPTION

CUSTOM OF PORT

CHARTER PARTY

CHARTERERS PAY DUES

CARRIAGE PAID TO

CUSTOMARY QUICK DESPATCH

CARGO REMAINING ON BOARD

CRANE

CENTISTOKE

CONTAINER FITTED

D
DAPS

DDU

DDP

DEM

DESP

DET

DHDATSBE

DHDWTSBE

DISCH

DK

DLOSP

DO

DOLSP

DOP

DOT

DNRSAOCLONL

DAYS ALL PURPOSES (TOTAL DAYS FOR LOADING & DISCHARGING)

DELIVERED DUTY UNPAID.

DELIVERED DUTY PAID.

DEMURRAGE

DESPATCH

DETENTION

DESPATCH HALF DEMURRAGE ON ACTUAL TIME SAVED BOTH ENDS

DESPATCH HALF DEMURRAGE ON WORKING TIME SAVED BOTH ENDS

DISCHARGE

DECK

DROPPING LAST OUTWARDS SEA PILOT (NORWAY)

DIESEL OIL

DROPPING OFF LAST SEA PILOT (NORWAY)

DROPPING OUTWARD PILOT

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

DISCOUNTLESS AND NON-RETURNABLE SHIP AND/OR CARGO

LOST OR NOT LOST
DRAFT DEPTH TO WHICH A SHIP IS IMMERSED IN WATER. THE DEPTH VARIES ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN OF THE SHIP AND WILL BE GREATER OR LESSER DEPENDING NOT ONLY ON THE WEIGHT OF THE SHIP AND EVERYTHING ON BOARD, BUT ALSO ON THE DENSITY OF THE WATER IN WHICH THE SHIP IS LYING.
DRK DERRICK
DUNNAGE MATERIALS OF VARIOUS TYPES, OFTEN TIMBER OR MATTING, PLACED AMONG THE CARGO FOR SEPARATION, AND HENCE PROTECTION FROM DAMAGE, FOR VENTILATION AND, IN THE CASE OF CERTAIN CARGOES, TO PROVIDE SPACE IN WHICH THE FORKS OF A LIFT TRUCK MAY BE INSERTED.
DWAT (OR DWT) DEADWEIGHT. WEIGHT OF CARGO, STORES AND WATER, I.E. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIGHTSHIP AND LOADED DISPLACEMENT.
E
EC

EIU

ELVENT

ETA

ETC

ETD

ETS

EXW

EAST COAST

EVEN IF USED

ELECTRIC VENTILATION

ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL

ESTIMATED TIME OF COMPLETION

ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE

ESTIMATED TIME OF SAILING

EX WORKS

F
FAS FREE ALONGSIDE SHIP. SELLER DELIVERS GOODS TO APPROPRIATE DOCK OR TERMINAL AT PORT OF EMBARKATION AND BUYER COVERS COSTS AND RISKS OF LOADING.
FD

FDD

FDIS

FEU

FHEX

FHINC

FREE OF DESPATCH

FREIGHT DEMURRAGE DEADFREIGHT

FREE DISCHARGE

FORTY FOOT CONTAINER EQUIVALENCY UNIT –  STANDARD 40′ CONTAINER

FRIDAYS/HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED

FRIDAYS/HOLIDAYS INCLUDED

FILO FREE IN/LINER OUT. SEAFREIGHT WITH WHICH THE SHIPPER PAYS LOAD COSTS AND THE CARRIER PAYS FOR DISCHARGE COSTS.
FIO FREE IN/OUT. FREIGHT BOOKED FIO INCLUDES THE SEAFREIGHT,BUT NO LOADING/DISCHARGING COSTS, I.E. THE CHARTERER PAYS FOR COST OF LOADING AND DISCHARGING CARGO.
FIOS FREE IN/OUT STOWED. AS PER FIO, BUT INCLUDES STOWAGE COSTS.
FIOT FREE IN/OUT AND TRIMMED. AS PER FIOS BUT INCLUDES TRIMMING – THE LEVELING OF BULK CARGOES
FIOSLSD FREE IN/OUT STOWED, LASHED, SECURED AND DUNNAGED. AS PER FIO,BUT INCLUDES COST OF LASHING SECURING AND DUNNAGING CARGO TO MASTERS SATISFACTION.
FIOST FREE IN/OUT AND TRIMMED. CHARTERER PAYS FOR COST OF LOADING/DISCHARGING CARGO, INCLUDING STOWAGE AND TRIMMING.
FIT

FIW

FIXING

FLT

FMC

FMS

FREE IN TRIMMED

FREE IN WAGON

CHARTERING A VESSEL

FULL LINER TERMS – SHIPOWNER PAYS TO LOAD AND DISCHARGE THE CARGO

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION – US GOVERNMENT AGENCY

FATHOMS – 6 FEET

FO (IFO) FUELOIL/INTERMEDIATE FO
FOB FREE ON BOARD. SELLER SEES THE GOODS “OVER THE SHIP’S RAIL” ON TO THE SHIP WHICH IS ARRANGED AND PAID FOR BY THE BUYER
FOFFER

FOG

FOQ

FOR

FIRM OFFER

FOR OUR GUIDANCE

FREE ON QUAY

FREE ON RAIL

FORCE MAJEURE CLAUSE LIMITING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHARTERERS, SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS DUE TO EVENTS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL.
FOT

FOW (1)

FOW (2)

FREE OUT

FWAD

FWDD

FYG

FYI

FREE ON TRUCK

FIRST OPEN WATER

FREE ON WHARF

FREE OF DISCHARGE COSTS TO OWNERS

FRESH WATER ARRIVAL DRAFT

FRESH WATER DEPARTURE DRAFT

FOR YOUR GUIDANCE

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

G
GA

GLS

GNCN

GN (OR GR)

GO

GRD

GRT

GSB

GSP

GTEE

GENERAL AVERAGE

GEARLESS

GENCON  – A STANDARD BIMCO CHARTER PARTY FORM

GRAIN (CAPACITY)

GAS OIL

GEARED

GROSS REGISTERED TONNAGE

GOOD SAFE BERTH

GOOD SAFE PORT

GUARANTEE

H
2H

HA

HDWTS

HMS

HO

HW

SECOND HALF

HATCH

HALF DESPATCH WORKING TIME SAVED

HEAVY METAL SCRAP

HOLD

HIGH WATER

I
IMDG

IMO

IND

INTERMODAL

ITF

IU

IUATUTC

IUHATUTC

IWL

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION

INDICATION

CARRIAGE OF A COMMODITY BY DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORT, I.E. SEA, ROAD, RAIL AND AIR WITHIN A SINGLE JOURNEY.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FEDERATION – INTERNATIONAL BODY THAT REGULATES CREWING OF SHIPS

IF USED

IF USED, ACTUAL TIME USED TO COUNT

IF USED, HALF ACTUAL TIME USED TO COUNT

INSTITUTE WARRANTY LIMITS

L
LANE METER A METHOD OF MEASURING THE SPACE CAPACITY OF RO/RO SHIPS WHEREBY EACH UNIT OF SPACE (LINEAR METER) IS REPRESENTED WIDTH.
LASH (1)

LASH (2)

LAT

LOA

LOW

LS (OR LUMPS)

LSD

LT

LW

LYCN

TO HOLD GOODS IN POSITION BY USE OF ROPES, WIRES, CHAINS OR STRAPS ETC.

LIGHTER ABOARD SHIP – A VESSEL THAT LOADS SMALL BARGES DIRECT FROM THE WATER

LATITUDE

LENGTH OVERALL OF THE VESSEL

LAST OPEN WATER

LUMPSUM

LASHED SECURED DUNNAGED

LINER TERMS

LOW WATER

LAYCAN (LAYDAY CANCELLING DATE)

M
MB

MDO (DO)

MIN/MAX

MOLCHOPT

MOLOO

MT

M/V

MERCHANT BROKER

MARINE DIESEL OIL

MINIMUM/MAXIMUM (CARGO QUANTITY)

MORE OR LESS CHARTERERS OPTION

MORE OR LESS OWNERS OPTION

METRIC TONNE (I.E. 1,000 KILOS / 2204.6LBS)

MOTOR VESSEL

N
NAABSA

NCB

NESTING

NON-REVERSIBLE

NOT ALWAYS AFLOAT BUT SAFELY AGROUND

NATIONAL CARGO BUREAU

IMPLIES THAT CARGO IS PRESENTED STACKED IN THE CONTOUR OF SIMILARLY SHAPED CARGO, IT MAY BE LIKENED TO A STACK OF PLATES.

THEN SAVED DAYS WILL NOT BE ADDED TO DISCHARGE TIME

(DETENTION). IF LOADING COMPLETED SOONER THAN EXPECTED, ALLOWED.
NOR

NRT

NYPE

NOTICE OF READINESS

NET REGISTERED TONNAGE

NEW YORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE

O
OO

OSH

OWS

OWNERS OPTION

OPEN SHELTER DECK

OWNERS

P
PASTUS

PC

PCGO

PCT

PDPR

PERDIEM

PHPD

PRATIQUE

PAST US

PERIOD OF CHARTER

PART CARGO

PERCENT

PER DAY PRO RATA

PER DIEM – BY THE DAY

PER HATCH PER DAY

LICENSE OR PERMISSION TO USE A PORT

R
RCVR RECEIVERS
REVERSIBLE (DETENTION)     IF LOADING COMPLETED SOONER THAN EXPECTED AT LOAD PORT, THEN DAYS SAVED CAN BE ADDED  TO DISCHARGE OPERATIONS.
ROB REMAINING ON BOARD
RT REVENUE TONNE (I.E. 1.0 METRIC TONNE OR 1.0 CUBIC METER,WHICHEVER GREATER).  THE OVERALL RT IS CALCULATED ON A LINE BY LINE BASIS OF THE PACKING LIST USING THE LARGEST AMOUNT. THE OVERALL FREIGHT LIABILITY IS CALCULATED ON THE TOTAL RT AMOUNT,  MULTIPLIED BY THE  FREIGHT RATE.
S
SATPM

SB

SD (OR SID)

SATURDAY P.M.

SAFE BERTH

SINGLE DECKER

SEAFREIGHT COSTS CHARGED FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS OVER THE SEA. THIS DOES NOT COVER ANY HAULAGE OR LOADING/DISCHARGING COSTS BUT THE SEA TRANSPORT ONLY.
SELFD

SF

SHINC

SHEX

SELF DISCHARGING

STOWAGE FACTOR. CUBIC SPACE OCCUPIED BY ONE TON (2,240 LBS/1,000 KGS) OF CARGO.

SUNDAYS/HOLIDAYS INCLUDED

SUNDAYS/HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED

SKIDS ARE BEARERS (TIMBER OR STEEL) POSITIONED UNDER CARGO TO ENABLE FORK LIFT HANDLING AT PORT, AND FOR EASE OF RIGGING AND LASHING ON BOARD SHIP.
SL

SOC

SOF

SP

SRBL

BALE (CAPACITY)

SHIPPER OWNED CONTAINER

STATEMENT OF FACTS

SAFE PORT

SIGNING AND RELEASING BILL OF LADING

SSHEX (OR SATSHEX) SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED
SSHINC   (OR SATSHINC) SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS, HOLIDAYS INCLUDED
STABILITY IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT A VESSEL IS STABLE IN ALL RESPECTS AT ALL TIMES. WHEN CARGO IS LOADED/DISCHARGED, THE STABILITY IS MONITORED BY A COMPUTER, WHICH TAKES INTO VESSEL.
STARBOARD

STEM

STERN

SUB

RIGHT SIDE OF A SHIP WHEN FACING THE BOW

SUBJECT TO ENOUGH MERCHANDISE (AVAILABILITY OF CARGO)

THE AFT PART OF A SHIP

SUBJECT (TO)

SUPERCARGO PERSON EMPLOYED BY A SHIP OWNER, SHIPPING COMPANY, CHARTERER OF A SHIP OR SHIPPER OF GOODS TO SUPERVISE CARGO HANDLING OPERATIONS. OFTEN CALLED A PORT CAPTAIN.
SWAD

SWDD

SALT WATER ARRIVAL DRAFT

SALT WATER DEPARTURE DRAFT

T
TC

TEU

TTL

TW

TIME CHARTER – OWNERS AGREE TO HIRE A PARTICULAR SHIP FOR A SET LENGTH OF TIME

TWENTY FOOT EQUIVALENCY UNIT – STANDARD 20′ CONTAINER

TOTAL

TWEEN DECKER

U

USC

UU

UUIUATUTC

UNLESS SOONER COMMENCED

UNLESS USED

UNLESS USED IF USED ACTUAL TIME USED TO COUNT

V
VPD VESSEL PAYS DUES
W
WCCON

WIBON

WIFPON

WIPON

WHETHER CUSTOMS CLEARED OR NOT

WHETHER IN BERTH OR NOT

WHETHER IN FREE PRATIQUE OR NOT

WHETHER IN PORT OR NOT

WLTOHC (DISTANCE) WATER LINE-TO-HATCH COAMING
WOG

WPD

WWD

WRIC

WWR

WWWW

WITHOUT GUARANTEE

WEATHER PERMITTING DAY

WEATHER WORKING DAY

WIRE RODS IN COILS

WHEN, WHERE READY

WIBON, WCCON, WIFPON, WIPON

Y
YAR YORK ANTWERP RULES