A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y
Detailed
below is the non-exhaustive list of some of the most frequently used
abbreviations and their definitions that you may come across from time to time.
We hope that you will find this information both helpful and informative.
FIOS
(FREE IN, OUT, STOWED) :
It is most important to remember that the "Free" reference is viewed
from the Ship Owners point of view - not the Shipper’s. Some Shippers get
caught out when they read the word "Free" as they incorrectly believe
that it refers to them.
Freight
rates quoted on a FIOS basis specifically exclude all aspects relating to cargo
handling operations. The ship is only responsible for expenses arising as a
result of the ship calling into the port, i.e. tugs, pilots and light dues etc.
Another very important consideration when booking cargo on FIOS terms is that
the ship does not bear any responsibility for the speed of loading or
discharging.
Usually
the rate agreed includes a fixed "free" period of time for
loading/discharging operations, after which time a daily demurrage is incurred.
Obviously this is of paramount importance where port congestion or stevedoring
performance is uncertain. There are many overseas ports which fall into this
category and particularly where vessel demurrage rates can vary significantly,
depending on the size and type of ship nominated to undertake the particular
project.
LINER
TERMS - GENERAL STATEMENT :
Liner Terms is a very ambiguous statement and can be interpreted in a variety
of ways in different ports of the world and by different Ship Owners/Agents.
Personally we would prefer to clearly define the extent of responsibility when
quoting on this basis.
LINER
TERMS HOOK / HOOK :
Given that this is a notional point in chartering terms, this is best described
as the Shipper/Receiver arranging for delivery/receival of cargo to/from
directly under ships hook and the ship paying for the labour to stow the cargo
in the vessels cargo holds, as well as on-board lashing & securing and
provision of dunnage materials, and to discharge again over the ship’s side.
Shore based stevedoring aspects remain the responsibility of the
shipper/receiver, however, there are some Owners that may incorporate these costs
into their LTHH rate. Once again, ask Owners to clearly define this aspect.
Wharfage
charges/dues/taxes can be a contentious issue but are usually considered to be
for the Shippers/Receivers account and there may also be many other statutory
levies on cargo or freight that may apply. Many Shippers/Receivers are unaware
of these additional costs and do not include them into their costing and
consequently may be left with an unexpected considerable expense at the
completion of a project.
FULL
LINER TERMS :
This is somewhat a vaguer term given different port practices. However, it
generally implies that the freight amount provided includes both shore based
and on-board stevedoring, lashing/unlashing, dunnage materials,
securing/unsecuring and all costs of presenting to/receiving the cargo from the
ship’s side; with the shippers/receivers just bearing the cost of discharging
from/reloading to the transport, along with the usual port charges/levies/taxes
etc.
Frequently
the terms are varied at different ends of the voyage i.e. FILO (Free In/Liner
Out), LIFO (Liner In Free Out) or FIFO (Free In/Free Out) etc. To be absolutely
sure of all liabilities, it is always advisable to request that terms clearly
and concisely indicate what is/isn’t included in your particular contract - in
layman’s terms.
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T
U V W Y
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ABBREVIATION |
MEANING |
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Always
Afloat |
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AAAA |
Always Accessible Always Afloat |
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AAOSA |
Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition for a vessel whilst
in port |
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AARA |
Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area |
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ABAFT |
Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. Behind. |
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ABOARD |
On or within the ship |
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ABOVE
DECK |
On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT) |
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ABT |
About |
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ADCOM |
Address Commission |
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ADDENDUM |
Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party |
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AFSPS |
Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway) |
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AFFREIGHTMENT |
The hiring of a ship in whole or part |
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AFT |
At or towards the stern or rear of a ship |
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AGROUND |
Touching or fast to the bottom |
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AGW |
All Going Well |
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AHL |
Australian Hold Ladders |
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AIDS
TO NAVIGATION |
Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating
safe and unsafe waters |
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ALOFT |
Above the deck of the ship |
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AMIDSHIPS |
In or toward the centre of the ship |
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ANCHORAGE |
A place suitable for anchorage in relation to the wind, seas
and bottom |
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ANTHAM |
Antwerp-Hamburg Range |
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APS |
Arrival Pilot Station |
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ARAG |
Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range |
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ARBITRATION |
Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on
parties. A clause usually in a charter party |
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A/S |
Alongside |
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ASBA |
American Shipbrokers Association |
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ASPW |
Any Safe Port in the World |
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ASTERN |
In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead |
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ATDNSHINC |
Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included |
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ATHWARTSHIPS |
At right angles to the centreline of the ship |
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ATUTC |
Actual Times Used to Count |
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Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of indemnity' in
favour of the carrier in exchange for a clean bill of lading |
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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. |
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BALE
CAP. |
Cubic capacity of a vessels holds to carry packaged dry cargo
such as bales/pallets |
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BALLAST |
Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary for the stability and
safety of a ship which is not carrying cargo |
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BALLAST
BONUS |
Compensation for relatively long ballast voyage |
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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. |
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BBB |
Before Breaking Bulk. Refers to freight payments that must be
received before discharge of a vessel commences |
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BDI |
Both Dates Inclusive |
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BEAM |
The maximum breadth or the greatest width of a ship |
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BELOW |
Beneath the deck |
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BENDS |
Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports) |
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BI |
Both Inclusive |
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BIMCO |
The Baltic and International Maritime Council |
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BL1 |
Bale |
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BL2 |
(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. |
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BM |
Beam |
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BN |
Booking Note |
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BOB |
Bunker on Board |
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BOFFER |
Best Offer |
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BOW |
The forward part of a ship |
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BROB |
Bunkers Remaining on Board |
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BROKERAGE |
Percentage of freight payable to broker (by owners in c/p's)
or applicable to sale or purchase |
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BSS |
Basis |
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BSS
1/1 |
Basis 1 Port to 1 Port |
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BT |
Berth Terms |
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BULKHEAD |
A vertical partition separating compartments |
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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. |
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BUNKERS |
Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies
(Originates from coal bunkers) |
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BUOY |
An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or
a hazard or a shoal and for mooring |
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BWAD |
Brackish Water Arrival Draft |
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Currency Adjustment Factor |
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CBM |
Cubic Metres |
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CBFT
(or CFT) |
Cubic Feet |
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CFR
(or C&F) |
Cost and Freight |
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CHART |
A map used by navigators |
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CHOPT |
Charterers Option |
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CHTRS |
Charterers |
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CIF |
Cost, Insurance & Freight. Seller pays all these costs to
a nominated port or place of discharge. |
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CKD |
Completely knocked down |
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COA |
Contract of Affreightment - Owners agree to accept a cost per
revenue tonne for cargo carried on a specific number of voyages. |
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CIP |
Carriage and Insurance paid to... |
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COACP |
Contract of Affreightment Charter Party |
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COB |
Closing of Business |
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COBLDN |
Closing of Business London |
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COD |
Cash On Delivery |
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COGSA |
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act |
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CONGESTION |
Port/berth delays |
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CONS |
Consumption |
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C/SNEE |
CONSIGNEE. Name of agent, company or person receiving
consignment |
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COP |
Custom Of Port |
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CP
(or C/P) |
Charter Party |
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CPD |
Charterers Pay Dues |
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CPT |
Carriage Paid To |
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CQD |
Customary Quick Despatch |
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CR |
Current Rate |
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CROB |
Cargo Remaining on Board |
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CRN |
Crane |
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CRT |
Cargo Retention Clauses, introduced by charterers based on
shortage of delivered cargo because of increased oil prices |
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CST |
Centistoke |
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CTR |
Container Fitted |
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Disbursement Account |
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DAF |
Deliver At Frontier |
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DAPS |
Days all Purposes (Total days for loading & discharging) |
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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. |
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DDU |
Delivered Duty unpaid. |
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DDP |
Delivered Duty Paid. |
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DECK |
A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part
thereof |
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DEM |
Demurrage (Quay Rent). Money
paid by the shipper for the occupying port space beyond a specified
"Free Time" period. |
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DEQ |
Delivered Ex Quay |
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DES |
Delivered Ex Ship |
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DESP |
Despatch. Time saved, reward for quick turnaround- in dry
cargo only |
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DET |
Detention (See DAMFORDET) |
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DEV |
Deviation. Vessel departure from specified voyage course |
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DFRT |
Deadfreight. Space booked by shipper or charterer on a vessel
but not used |
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DHDATSBE |
Despatch Half Demurrage on All Time Saved Both Ends |
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DHDWTSBE |
Despatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends |
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DISCH |
Discharge |
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DK |
Deck |
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DLOSP |
Dropping Last Outwards Sea Pilot (Norway) |
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DO |
Diesel Oil |
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DOLSP |
Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway) |
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DOP |
Dropping Outward Pilot |
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DOT |
Department of Transport |
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DNRCAOSLONL |
Discountless and Non-Returnable Cargo and/or Ship Lost or Not
Lost |
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DRAUGHT
(or 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. |
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DRK |
Derrick |
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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. |
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DWAT
(or DWT) |
Deadweight. Weight of cargo, stores and water, i.e. the
difference between lightship and loaded displacement. |
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A receeding current |
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EC |
East Coast |
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EIU |
Even If Used |
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ELVENT |
Electric Ventilation |
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ETA |
Estimated Time of Arrival |
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ETC |
Estimated Time of Completion |
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ETD |
Estimated Time of Departure |
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ETS |
Estimated Time of Sailing |
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EXW |
Ex Works |
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FAC |
Fast as can |
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FAS |
Free Alongside Ship. Seller delivers goods to appropriate dock
or terminal at port of embarkation and buyer covers costs and risks of
loading |
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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. |
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FD
(FDIS) |
Free Discharge |
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FDD |
Freight Demurrage Deadfreight |
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FDESP |
Free Despatch |
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FDEDANRSAOCLONL |
Freight Deemed Earned, Discountless And Non-Returnable
(Refundable) Ship And Or Cargo Lost Or Not Lost |
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FENDER |
A cushion, placed between ships, or between a ship and a pier,
to prevent damage |
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FEU |
Standard 40’ Container |
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FHEX |
Fridays/Holidays Excluded |
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FHINC |
Fridays/Holidays Included |
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FILO |
Free In/Liner Out. Seafreight with which the shipper pays load
costs and the carrier pays for discharge costs. |
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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. |
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FIOS |
Free In/Out Stowed. As per FIO, but excludes stowage costs. |
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FIOST |
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