Chartering: abbreviations and meanings

Abbreviation Meaning

AA Always Afloat

AAAA Always Accessible Always Afloat

AAOSA Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition for a vessel whilst in port

AARA Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area

ABAFT Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. Behind.

ABOARD On or within the ship

ABOVE DECK On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT)

At
ABT About

ADCOM Address Commission z

ADDENDUM Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party

AFSPS Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway)

AFFREIGHTMENT The hiring of a ship in whole or part

AFT At or towards the stern or rear of a ship

AGROUND Touching or fast to the bottom

AGW All Going Well

AHL Australian Hold Ladders

AIDS TO Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe
NAVIGATION waters

ALOFT Above the deck of the ship

AMIDSHIPS In or toward the centre of the ship

A/N Arrival Notice - an import document send to the notify party and/or importer's
broker containing all necessary arrival info for Customs clearance; normally
with freight charges.

ANCHORAGE A place suitable for anchorage in relation to the wind, seas and bottom

ANTHAM Antwerp-Hamburg Range

APS Arrival Pilot Station

ARAG Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range

ARBITRATION Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause

usually in a charter party

A/S Alongside

ASBA American Shipbrokers Association

ASN Advance Shipment Notice

ASPW Any Safe Port in the World

ASTERN In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead

ATA Actual time of arrival

ATD Actual time of departure

ATDNSHINC Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included

ATFI ATFI

ATHWARTSHIPS At right angles to the centreline of the ship

ATUTC Actual Times Used to Count

AWB Air waybill

BACKLETTER Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of indemnity' in favour of the carrier in

exchange for a clean bill of lading

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.

BALE CAP. Cubic capacity of a vessels holds to carry packaged dry cargo such as
bales/pallets

BALLAST Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary for the stability and safety of a ship
which is not carrying cargo

BALLAST BONUS Compensation for relatively long ballast voyage

BAREBOAT CHTR. Bareboat Charter - Owners lease a specific ship and control its technical
management and commercial operations only. Charterers take over all
responsibility for the operation of the vessel and expenses for the duration.

BBB Before Breaking Bulk. Refers to freight payments that must be received
before discharge of a vessel commences

BDI Both Dates Inclusive

BEAM The maximum breadth or the greatest width of a ship

BELOW Beneath the deck

BENDS Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports)

BI Both Inclusive

BIMCO The Baltic and International Maritime Council

BL Bale

B/L (Bill of Lading) A document signed by the carrier which acts as a Contract of
Affreightment, a receipt and evidence of title to the cargo.

BM Beam

BN Booking Note

BOB Bunker on Board

BOFFER Best Offer

BOW The forward part of a ship

BROB Bunkers Remaining on Board

BROKERAGE Percentage of freight payable to broker (by owners in c/p's) or applicable to

sale or purchase

BSS Basis

BSS 1/1 Basis 1 Port to 1 Port

BT Berth Terms

BULKHEAD A vertical partition separating compartments

BUNDLING This is the assembly of pieces of cargo, secured into one manageable unit.
This is relevant to items such as Structural Steel, Handrails, Stairways etc.
Whilst 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.
BUNKERS Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (Originates from coal
bunkers)

BUOY An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard or a
shoal and for mooring

BWAD Brackish Water Arrival Draft

CAF Currency Adjustment Factor. A fee applied to the shipping costs to

compensate for exchange rate fluctuations.

CBM Cubic Metres

CBFT (or CFT) Cubic Feet

CFR (or C&F) Cost and Freight

CHART A map used by navigators

CHOPT Charterers Option

CHTRS Charterers

CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight. Seller pays all these costs to a nominated port or
place of discharge.

CKD Completely knocked down

COA Contract of Affreightment - Owners agree to accept a cost per revenue tonne
for cargo carried on a specific number of voyages.

CIP Carriage and Insurance paid to...

C.O. Certificate of Origin - a signed statement from a semiofficial organization

certifying the origin of an export item, required by certain nations.

COACP Contract of Affreightment Charter Party

COB Closing of Business

COBLDN Closing of Business London

COD Cash On Delivery

COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act

CONGESTION Port/berth delays

CONS Consumption

CNEE CONSIGNEE. Name of agent, company or person receiving consignment

COP Custom Of Port

CP (or C/P) Charter Party

CPD Charterers Pay Dues

CPT Carriage Paid To

CQD Customary Quick Despatch

CR Current Rate

CROB Cargo Remaining on Board

CRN Crane

CRT Cargo Retention Clauses, introduced by charterers based on shortage of

delivered cargo because of increased oil prices

CST Centistoke

CTR Container Fitted

DA Disbursement Account

DAF Deliver At Frontier

DAPS Days all Purposes (Total days for loading & discharging)

DAMFORDET Damages for Detention. Penalty if cargo is not ready when ship arrives for
working (1st day of Laycan). This is not detention which is charged for ships
time on delay. If the cargo is ready there is no DAMFORDET.

DDU Delivered Duty unpaid.

DDP Delivered Duty Paid.

DECK A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part thereof

DEM Demurrage (Quay Rent). Money paid by the shipper for the occupying port
space beyond a specified "Free Time" period.

DEQ Delivered Ex Quay

DES Delivered Ex Ship

DESP Despatch. Time saved, reward for quick turnaround- in dry cargo only

DET Detention (See DAMFORDET)

DEV Deviation. Vessel departure from specified voyage course

DFRT Deadfreight. Space booked by shipper or charterer on a vessel but not used

DHDATSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on All Time Saved Both Ends

DHDWTSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends

DISCH Discharge
DK Deck

DLOSP Dropping Last Outwards Sea Pilot (Norway)

DO Diesel Oil

DOLSP Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway)

DOP Dropping Outward Pilot

DOT Department of Transport

DNRCAOSLONL Discountless and Non-Returnable Cargo and/or Ship Lost or Not Lost

DRAUGHT (or Depth to which a ship is immersed in water. The depth varies according to the
DRAFT) 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 tynes of a fork lift truck
may be inserted.

DWAT (or DWT) Deadweight. Weight of cargo, stores and water, i.e. the difference between
lightship and loaded displacement.

EBB A receeding current

EC East Coast

EIU Even If Used

ELVENT Electric Ventilation

ETA Estimated Time of Arrival - the projected date and time a shipment is
scheduled to arrive at its destination.

ETC Estimated Time of Completion

ETD Estimated Time of Departure - the projected date and time a shipment is
scheduled to depart from the port/airport of origin.

ETS Estimated Time of Sailing

EXW Ex Works

FAC Fast as can

FAS Free Alongside Ship. Seller delivers goods to appropriate dock or terminal at
port of embarkation and buyer covers costs and risks of loading

FCA Free to Carrier. A modern equivalent of FAS used in intermodal transport

where goods are transferred at a nominated forwarders premises, depot or
terminal but not actually on board vessel.

FCL Full Container Load - a container that is fully loaded by cargo, occupying all
space, or loaded to the maximum permissable weight. It can contain cargo
from multiple shippers, but normally is consigned to the same consignee. The
shipment is expected to be delivered to the consignee with the shipper's seal
intact.

FD (FDIS) Free Discharge

FDD Freight Demurrage Deadfreight

FDESP Free Despatch

FDEDANRSAOCLONL Freight Deemed Earned, Discountless And Non-Returnable (Refundable) Ship

And Or Cargo Lost Or Not Lost

FENDER A cushion, placed between ships, or between a ship and a pier, to prevent
damage
FEU Standard 40" Container, forty-foot equivalent unit, a standard size intermodal
container.

FHEX Fridays/Holidays Excluded

FHINC 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/discharging cargo.

FIOS Free In/Out Stowed. As per FIO, but excludes stowage costs.

FIOST Free In/Out and Trimmed. Charterer pays for cost of loading/discharging
cargo, including stowage and trimming.

FIOT Free In/Out and Trimmed. As per FIOS but includes trimming, e.g. the
levelling of bulk cargoes. FIOS includes seafreight, but excludes
loading/discharging and stowage costs.

FIT Free In Trimmed

FIW Free In Wagon

FIXING Chartering a Vessel

FIXTURE Conclusion of shipbrokers negotiations to charter a ship - an agreement

FLATPACKING Cargo to be presented stacked and secured as an integral unit.

FLT Full Liner Terms

FMC Federal Maritime Commission

FME Force Majeure Excepted

FMS Fathoms

FO For Orders

FO (IFO) Fuel Oil/Intermediate FO

FO Free Out

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 Firm Offer

FOG For Our Guidance

FOQ Free On Quay

FOR Free On Rail

FORCE MAJEURE Clause limiting responsibilities of the charterers, shippers and receivers of
cargo.

FORE-AND-AFT In a line parallel to the keel

FORWARD Toward the bow of the ship

FOT Free On Truck

FOW First Open Water

FOW Free On Wharf

FP Free Pratique. Clearance by the Health Authorities

FR First Refusal. First attempt at best offer that can be matched

FREEBOARD The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale

FRT Freight. Money payable on delivery of cargo in a mercantile condition

FREE DESPATCH If loading/discharging achieved sooner than agreed, there will be no freight
money returned.

FREE EXINS Free of any Extra Insurance (Owners)

FREE OUT Free of discharge costs to owners. Includes seafreight only.

FRUSTRATION Charterers when cancelling agreement sometimes quote 'doctrine of

frustration' i.e. vessel is lost, extensive delays.

FWAD Fresh Water Arrival Draft

FWDD Fresh Water Departure Draft

FYG For Your Guidance

FYI For Your Information

GA General Average

GEAR A general term for ropes, blocks, tackle and other equipment

GLS (GLESS) Gearless

GNCN Gencon (GENERAL CONDITIONS)

GN (or GR) Grain (Capacity)

GO Gas Oil

GP Grain Capacity. Cubic capacity in 'grain'

GR Geographical Rotation. Ports in order of calling

GRD Geared

GRI General Rate Increase. Used to describe an across-the-board tariff rate

increase implemented by conference members and applied to base rates.

GRT Gross Registered Tonnage

GSB Good, Safe Berth

GSP Good, Safe Port

GTEE Guarantee

GUNWALE The upper edge of a ship's sides

2H Second Half

HA Hatch

HAGUE RULES Code of minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a Bill of Lading

HATCH An opening in a ship's deck fitted with a watertight cover

HBF Harmless Bulk Fertilizer

HDLTSBENDS Half Despatch Lay Time Saved Both Ends

HDWTS Half Despatch Working (or Weather) Time Saved

HHDW Handy Heavy d.w. (Scrap)

HIRE T/C Remuneration

HMS Heavy Metal Scraps

HO Hold

HOLD A compartment below deck in a large vessel, used solely for carrying cargo

HULL The main body of a ship

HW High Water

ICW Intercoastal Waterway : bays, rivers, and canals along the coasts (such as the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts), connected so that vessels may travel
without going into the sea

IMDG International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

IMO International Maritime Organisation

IN &/OR OVER Goods carried below and/or on deck

INCOTERMS (Refer to comments in covering statement on front page A-F)

IND Indication

INTERMODAL Carriage of a commodity by different modes of transport, i.e. sea, road, rail
and air within a single journey

ITF International Transport Workers Federation (Trade Unions). Complies on

crewing

ISPS International Ships and Port Security System

ITINERARY Route.Schedule

IU If Used

IUHTAUTC If Used, Half Time Actually To Count

IWL Institute Warranty Limits

KEEL The centreline of a ship running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel

KNOT A measurement of speed equal to one nautical mile (6,076 feet) per hour

LANE METER A method of measuring the space capacity of Ro/Ro ships whereby each unit
of space (Linear Meter) is represented by an area of deck 1.0 meter in length x
2.0 meters in width.

LASH To hold goods in position by use of Ropes, Wires, Chains or Straps etc.

LAT Latitude. The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed
in degrees.

LAYCAN Laycan (Layday Cancelling Date)

LAYTIME Time at Charterers disposal for purpose of loading/discharging

L/C Letter of Credit

LCL Less than Container Load - a shipment that takes up only a portion of a
consolidated container. LCL shpts are to be picked up at a CFS only, whereas
FCL are to be picked up at a container yard/terminal.

LCR Lowest Current Rate

LEE The side sheltered from the wind

LEEWARD The direction away from the wind. Opposite of windward

LEEWAY The sideways movement of the ship caused by either wind or current

LF Load Factor. Percentage of cargo or passengers carries e.g. 4,000 tons carried
on a vessel of 10,000 capacity has a load factor of 40%%

LIEN Retention of property until outstanding debt is paid

LNG Liquefied Natural Gas

LOA Length Overall of the vessel

LOAD LINE See PLIMSOLL LINE

LOF Lloyds Open Form

LOG A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed

LOI Letter of Indemnity

LONGITUDE The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England

LOW Last Open Water

LS (or LUMPS) Lumpsum Freight. Money paid to Shipper for a charter of a ship (or portion)
up to stated limit irrespective of quantity of cargo

LSD Lashed Secured Dunnaged

LT Liner Terms

LT Long Ton = 1,016.05 kilogram (2,240 lbs)

LTHH Liner Terms Hook/Hook

LW Low Water

LYCN Laycan (Layday Cancelling Date)

MANIFEST Inventory of cargo on board

MB Merchant Broker

MDO (DO) Marine Diesel Oil

MIDSHIP Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and stern
MIN/MAX Minimum/Maximum (cargo quantity)

MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MOLCHOPT More or Less Charterers Option

MOLOO More or Less Owners Option

MOORING An arrangement for securing a ship to a mooring buoy or pier

MT Mertic Tonne (i.e. 1,000 kilos)

M/V Motor Vessel \ Merchant Vessel

NAABSA Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground

NM Nautical Mile. One minute of latitude; approximately 6,076 feet - about 1/8
longer than the statute mile of 5,280 feet

NAVIGATION The art and science of conducting a ship safely from one point to another

NCB National Cargo Bureau

NESTING Implies that cargo is presented stacked in the contour of similarly shaped
cargo, it may be likened to a stack of plates. This is particularly relevant in the
presentation of tankage strakes for transport

NON-REVERSIBLE (Detention). If loading completed sooner than expected, then saved days will
not be added to discharge time allowed.

NOR Notice of Readiness

NRT Net Restricted Tonnage

NYPE New York Produce Exchange

OO Owners Option
OBO Ore/Bulk/Oil Vessel

OSH Open Shelter Deck

OVERBOARD Over the side or out of the ship

OWS Owners

P&I Protection and Indemnity Insurance

PASTUS Past Us

PC Period of Charter

PCGO Part Cargo

PCT Percent

PDPR Per Day Pro Rata

PERDIEM By the Day

PER SE By Itself

PHPD Per Hatch Per Day

PLIMSOLL MARK An internationally recognised line painted on the side of merchant ships.
alt. When a ship is loaded, the water level is not supposed to go above the line.
PLIMSOLL LINE Water can reach different parts of the line as its temperature and saltiness
alt. varies with the season and location. From where Plimsoll Shipping derived its
LOAD LINE name.

PORT The left side of a ship looking forward. A harbour.

PRATIQUE Licence or permission to use a port

PREAMBLE Introduction to a charter party

PROFORMA Estimated Account

PUS Plus Us

PWWD Per Weather Working Day

RCVR Receiver

RECAP Recapitulation of the terms and conditions agreed

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.

SATPM Saturday P.M.

SB Safe Berth

SD (or SID) Single Decker

SEAFREIGHT Costs charged for transporting goods over the sea. This does not cover
haulage or loading/discharging costs but the sea transport only

SEAWORTHINESS Statement of condition of the vessel (valid certificates, fully equipped and
manned etc.)

SELFD Self Discharging

SEMI-TRAILERS Are usually 12.0 meter flat bed road trailers

SF Stowage Factor. Cubic space (measurement tonne) occupied by one tonne

(2,240 lbs/1,000 kgs) of cargo
SHINC Sundays/Holidays Included

SHEX Sundays/Holidays Excluded

SHPR Shipper - the party in whose name a contract of carriage of goods has been
concluded with at carrier or any party by whom, in whose name or on whose
behalf the goods are actually delivered to the carrier in relation to the contract
of carriage.

SKIDS Are bearers (timber or steel) positioned under the cargo to enable forklift
handling at port, and for ease of rigging and lashing on board ship.

SN Satellite Navigation - A form of position finding using radio transmissions

from satellites with sophisticated on-board automatic equipment

SOC Shipper Owned Container

SOF Statement of Facts

SP Safe Port

SPIDERING Is the strengthening of circular tanks for transport, this prevents the tanks from
becoming warped. The tanks are strengthened with steel or wood crossbeams
giving a "spider" appearance

SRBL Signing and Releasing Bill of Lading

SSHEX Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded

SSHINC (or Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included

SATSHINC)

STABILITY It is paramount that a vessel is stable in all aspects at all times. When cargo is
loaded/discharged, the stability is monitored by a computer, which takes into
account the weight and position of cargo within the vessel.

STARBOARD Right side of a ship when facing the front or forward end.
STEM Subject to Enough Merchandise (Availability of cargo). Also, the forward
most part of the bow.

STERN The aformost or after part of a ship

SUB Subject (to). Depending upon as a condition

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 Salt Water Arrival Draft

SWDD Salt Water Departure Draft

THWARTSHIPS At right angles to the centreline of the ship

TIDE The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans

TIME BAR Time after which legal claims will not be entered

TBN To Be Named / To Be Nominated

TC Time Charter - Owners agree to hire a particular ship for a set length of time
and provide technical management, crewing etc.

TCP Time Charter Party

TEU Standard 20' Container, twenty-foot equivalent unit, a standard size

intermodal container.

TOPSIDES The sides of a ship between the waterline and the deck; sometimes referring to
onto or above the deck

T/S Transhipment - a shipping arrangement in which a shipment is discharged of

the vessel at an intermediate port enroute and subsequently reloaded to
another vessel for carriage to its final destinationl
TRIM Fore and aft balance of a ship

TTL Total

TW Tween Decker

USC Unless Sooner Commenced

UU Unless Used

UUIWCTAUTC Unless Used In Which Case Time Actually Used To Count

VPD Vessel Pays Dues

WATERLINE A line painted on a hull which shows the point to which a ship sinks when it is
properly trimmed

WAY Movement of a ship through water such as headway, sternway or leeway

WCCON Whether Customs Cleared Or Not

WIBON Whether In Berth Or Not

WIFPON Whether In Free Pratique Or Not

WINDWARD Toward the direction from which the wind is coming

WIPON Whether In Port Or Not

WLTOHC Water Line-To-Hatch Coaming

WOG Without Guarantee

WP Weather Permitting. That time during which weather prevents working shall
not count as laytime
WPD Weather Permitting Day

WWD Weather Working Day

WRIC Wire Rods In Collis

WWR When, Where Ready

WWWW Wibon, Wccon, Wifpon, Wipon

YAR York Antwerp Rules

YAW To swing or steer off course, as when running with a quartering sea

Z UTC = GMT
Most commonly used Chartering Abbreviations, Terms & Definition

AA = Always Afloat
AAAA = Always Accessible Always Afloat
AARA = Amsterdam-Antwerp Rotterdam Area
ABT = About
ADCOM = Address Commission
AFSPS = Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway)
AFFREIGHTMENT = The hiring of a ship in whole or part
AFT = At or towards the stern or rear of a ship
AGW = All Going Well
AHL = Australian Hold Ladders
ANTHAM = Antwerp-Hamburg Range
APS = Arrival Pilot Station
ARAG = Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Ghent Range
A/S = Alongside
ATDNSHINC = Any Time Day or Night Sundays and Holidays Included
ATUTC = Actual Times Used to Count
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 or 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 = Before Breaking Bulk
BDI = Both Dates Inclusive
BENDS = Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports)
Bl = Both Inclusive
BIMCO = The Baltic and International Maritime Council
BL (1) = 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
BEAM = The maximum breadth of a ship
BOB = Bunker on Board
BOFFER = Best Offer
BROB = Bunkers Remaining on Board
BSS = Basis
BSS 1/1 = Basis 1 Port to 1 Port
BT = 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 ton) fork lift truck.
BUNKERS = Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (Originates from coal bunkers)

Page 1 of 6
BWAD = Brackish Water Arrival Draft
CBM = Cubic Meter
CBFT (or CFT) = Cubic Feet
CFR (or C&F) = Cost and Freight
CHOPT = Charterers Option
CHTRS = 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 specific number of voyages.
COACP = Contract of Affreightment Charter Party
COB = Close of Business
COD = Cash On Delivery
COGSA = Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
CONS = Consumption
COP = Custom Of Port
CP (or C/P) = Charter Party
CPD = Charterers Pay Dues
CPT = Carriage Paid To
CQD = Customary Quick Dispatch
CROB = Cargo Remaining on Board
CRN = Crane
CST = Centistoke
CTR = Container Fitted
DAPS = Days all Purposes (Total days for loading & discharging)
DDU = Delivered Duty unpaid.
DDP = Delivered Duty Paid.
DEM = Demurrage
DESP = Dispatch
DET = Detention
DHDATSBE = Dispatch Half Demurrage on Actual Time Saved Both Ends
DHDWTSBE = Dispatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends
DISCH = Discharge
DK = Deck
DLOSP = Dropping Last Outwards Sea Pilot (Norway)
DO = Diesel Oil
DOLSP = Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway)
DOP = Dropping Outward Pilot
DOT = Department of Transport
DNRSAOCLONL = 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,

Page 2 of 6
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.
EC = East Coast
EIU = Even if Used
ELVENT = Electric Ventilation
ETA = Estimated Time of Arrival
ETC = Estimated Time of Completion
ETD = Estimated Time of Departure
ETS = Estimated Time of Sailing
EXW = Ex Works
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 = Free of Dispatch
FDD = Freight Demurrage Deadfreight
FDIS = Free Discharge
FEU = Forty foot container equivalency unit Standard 40‘ Container
FHEX = Fridays/Holidays Excluded
FHINC = 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 sea freight, 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 = Free In Trimmed
FIW = Free In Wagon "
FIXING = Chartering a Vessel
FLT = Full Liner Terms Shipowner pays to load and discharge the cargo
FMC = Federal Maritime Commission US government agency
FMS = Fathoms = 6 feet
F0 (IFO) = Fuel Oil/Intermediate F0
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 = Firm Offer
FOG = For Our Guidance
FOQ = Free On Quay
FOR = Free On Rail
FORCE MAJEURE = Clause limiting responsibilities of the charterers, shippers and receivers due to
events beyond their control.
FOT = Free On Truck

Page 3 of 6
FOW (1) = First Open Water
FOW (2) = Free On Wharf
FREE OUT = Free of discharge costs to Owners
FWAD = Fresh Water Arrival Draft
FWDD = Fresh Water Departure Draft
FYG = For Your Guidance
FYI = For Your Information
GA = General Average
GLS = Gearless
GNCN = Gencon a standard BIMCO charter party form
GN (or GR) = Grain (capacity)
GO = Gas Oil
GRD = Geared
GRT = Gross Registered Tonnage
GSB = Good Safe Berth
GSP = Good Safe Port
GTEE = Guarantee
2H = Second Half
HA = Hatch
HDWTS = Half Dispatch Working Time Saved
HMS = Heavy Metal Scrap
HO = Hold
HW = High Water
IMDG = International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
IMO = International Maritime Organization
IND = Indication
INTERMODAL = Carriage of a commodity by different modes of transport, i.e. sea, road, rail and air
within a single journey.
ITF = International Transport Federation international body that regulates crewing of ships
IU = If Used
IUATUTC = If Used, Actual Time Used To Count
IUHATUTC = If Used, Half Actual Time Used To Count
IWL = Institute Warranty Limits
LANE METER = A method of measuring the space capacity of R0/R0 ships whereby each unit of space
(Linear Meter) is represented by an area of deck 1.0 meter in length x 2.0 meters in width.
LASH (1) = To hold goods in position by use of Ropes, Wires, Chains or Straps etc.
LASH (2) = Lighter Aboard Ship a vessel that loads small barges direct from the water
LAT = Latitude
LOA = Length Overall of the vessel
LOW = Last Open Water
LS (or LUMPS) = Lumpsum
LSD = Lashed Secured Dunnaged
LT = Liner Terms
LW = Low Water
LYCN = Laycan (Layday Canceling Date)
MB = Merchant Broker
MDO (DO) = Marine Diesel Oil

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MIN/MAX = Minimum/Maximum (cargo quantity)
MOLCHOPT = More or Less Charterers Option
MOLOO = More or Less Owners Option
MT = Metric Ton (i.e. 1,000 kilos I 2204.6lbs)
MV = Motor Vessel
NAABSA = Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground
NCB = National Cargo Bureau
NESTING = implies that cargo is presented stacked in the contour of similarly shaped cargo, it may
be likened to a stack of plates.
NON-REVERSIBLE = (Detention). If loading completed sooner than expected, then saved days will not be
added to discharge time allowed.
NOR = Notice of Readiness
NRT = Net Registered Tonnage
NYPE = New York Produce Exchange
OO = Owners Option
OSH = Open Shelter Deck
OWS = Owners
PASTUS = Past Us
PC = Period of Charter
PCGO = Part Cargo
PCT = Percent
PDPR = Per Day Pro Rata
PERDIEM = Per Diem = By the Day
PHPD = Per Hatch Per Day
PRATIQUE = License or permission to use a port
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 Ton (i.e. 1.0 metric Ton or 1.0 cubic meter, whichever is 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.
SATPM = Saturday P.M.
SB = Safe Berth
SD (or SID) = 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 = Self Discharging
SF = Stowage factor. Cubic space occupied by one ton (2,240 lbs/1,000 kgs) of cargo.
SHINC = Sundays/Holidays Included
SHEX = 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 = Bale (capacity)
SOC = Shipper Owned Container
SOF = Statement Of Facts
SP = Safe Port

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SRBL = Signing and Releasing Bill of Lading
SSHEX (or SATSHEX) = Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded
SSHINC = Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included (or SATSHINC.)
STABILITY = lt 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 account the weight and
position of cargo within the vessel.
STARBOARD = Right side of a ship when facing the bow
STEM = Subject To Enough Merchandise (Availability of Cargo)
STERN = The aft part of a ship
SUB = 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 = Salt Water Arrival Draft
SWDD = Salt Water Departure Draft
TC = Time Charter Owners agree to hire a particular ship for a set length of time
TEU = Twenty Foot Equivalency Unit Standard 20' Container
TTL = Total
TW = Tween Decker
USC = Unless Sooner Commenced
UU = Unless Used
UUIUATUTC = Unless Used If Used Actual Time Used To Count
VPD = Vessel Pays Dues
WCCON = Whether Customs Cleared Or Not
WIBON = Whether In Berth Or Not = Whether In Free Pratique or not
WIPON = Whether In Port Or Not
WLTOHC (distance) = Water Line To-Hatch Coaming
WOG = Without Guarantee
WPD = Weather Permitting Day
WWD = Weather Working Day
WRIC = Wire Rods In Coils
WWR = When, Where Ready
WWWW = Wibon, Wccon, Wifpon, Wipon
YAR = York Antwerp Rules

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