chartering abbreviations

c
This are the most used abbreviations in chartering that you can see in contract ,bill of loading and invoice
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)
 ABT
 About
 ADCOM
 Address Commission
 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 NAVIGATION
 Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe 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 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 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)
 IRE
 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
 alt.
 PLIMSOLL LINE
alt.
 LOAD LINE
An internationally recognised line painted on the side of merchant ships. When a ship is loaded, the water level is not supposed to go above the line. Water can reach different parts of the line as its temperature and saltiness varies with the season and location. From where Plimsoll Shipping derived its 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 SATSHINC)
 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included
 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

About the author

helpintrade
By helpintrade

Your sidebar area is currently empty. Hurry up and add some widgets.