Shipping Glossary of Terms

A (Alpha)

 Diver below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial
A.S. (A.s.) Alongside
AA Always afloat
AAAA Always Afloat, Always Accessible
AALA American Association for Laboratory Accrediation
AASO Assosiation of American Ship Owners
AB Able seamen
AB (ABS) American Bureau of Shipping - American (US) Ship Classification Society. Under the provisions of the US Load-Line Act - it has the authority to assign load lines to vessels registered in the US and other countries.
Abandoned Well An oil well where production has ceased.
ABS American Bureau of Shipping- American classification society.
Accommodation Unit/Floatel Normally a semisubmersible or jackup (See Jackup), equipped with cabins, catering facilities and office space for up to 800 persons. The installation is normally used for the accommodation and catering for personnel constructing or operating a fixed production platform. An accommodation unit may also be equipped with workshops and/or storage facilities.
ACFN American Committee for Flags of Necessity
ACGFO Any Commercial Grade of Fuel Oil
Acid Gas Gas with pollutants causing a low pH-value. Creates corrosion problems.
Acidizing Te injection of hydrochloric acid into the production zone in order to stimulate greater yield. The acid corrodes the sedimentary partitions, thereby increasing permeability.
ACOT Advisory Committee on Offshore Technology
ACP Area Contingency Plan
ACS American Chemicals Society
AD Air Draft - correctly used, air draft refers to the distance from the vessel's waterline to the top of the highest mast in an unladen condition. Important to determine whether the vessel can pass under fixed bridges. (Airdraft is also used to refer to the distance from the vessel's light waterline to the top of the hatch coming. This dimension must be known to determine whether the vessel will fit under the fixed shore loading or discharging appliance.)
ADB African/Asian Development Bank
ADEC Alaska Departement of Environmental Conservation
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution - a relatively new innovation whose use has increased in the last decade in response to a general rise in litigation in many jurisdictions and the thereby escalating cost associated therewith, as well as the increased dissatisfaction with the legal process itself. The ADR is a tool designed as a supplement to a given judicial system to provide parties of otherwise good and long term working relationship with a cheaper and in most cases less adversial alternative to lengthy court hearings and arbitrations.
Aerated Mud Drilling mud mixed with oxygen to increase efficiency.
AFRA Average Freight Rate Assessment - average costs for the freight of oil with tankships. Calculated by the Worldscale Association in London. based on an ongoing registration of all freightrates at particular points in time.
Aframax American Freight Rate Association - approximately 80,000 - 105,000 dwt - term for a tank ship of standard size.
AFRASEC Afro-Asian Organization for Economic Cooperation
AFTA
 Asean Free Trade Area (See ASEAN).
AG Arabian Gulf - also called PG - Persian Gulf.
Agent / Ship's Agent
 Person looking after the interests of a ship whiøe in port. Duties include organising pilotage, towage and berth for the ship, collecting freight and signing bills of lading
AGS Annual General Survey
AH Antwerp Hambug range
AHT Anchorhandling Tug - vessel employed in the offshore field moving anchors and performing towing operations.
AHTS AHT which is also a combined supplyvessel.
AID Agency for International Development - US organization for civilian aid programmes.
AIMS American Institute of Merchant Shipping - the American shipowners' association for the major part of the privately owned tonnage.
AIS
 Automatic Identification System
ALADI
Latin-American Integration Association (11 members).
ALAMAP Associacón Latinamericano de Armadores - Latin-American Shipowners' Association (established in March 1963).
ALU-TUCP Philippine Seafarers' Union, member of TUCP (Trade Union Council of the Philippines).
AMA Association of Maritime Arbitrators, New York
AMOSUP Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines - Filipino union for officers and crew.
AMPD Average Most Probable Discharge
AMR Amercoat
AMS Automated Manifest System (For US Departement of Agriculture Entry Processing Procedures for US ports)
AMVER Automatic Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System - American warning system for international shipping.
ANDES’ Pact
 Customs and tariffs union between Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia with common external customs’ tariffs.
Anchor Piling Mooring point on the sea bed.
Anchorhandling
Tug		 AHT - ship carrying out tasks such as the placing or moving of anchors, as well as towing drilling installations and barges etc. May double as a supply vessel and is in such cases termed Anchorhandling Tug/Supply (AHTS).
Annular Blowout Preventer Safety valve during drilling operations. Consists of rubber gasket stopping the flow of mud outside the drill string.
Annulus The distance between the drill string and the casing or the wall of the drilling hole.
ANPRM Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (U.S.)
ANS Alaskan North Slope (crude oil)
ANSI American National Standard Institute
AODC
 Association of Offshore Diving Contractors
AOSC Assistant On-Scene Coordinator (U.S. Coast Guard)
AP All Purposes or Additional Premium
APEC
 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (18 members).
API American Petroleum Institute - Founded in 1919, the first oil trade association to include all branches of the petroleum industry
API GRAVITY Petroleum industry expression for density of petroleum liquid expressed in API units. - API gravity is obtained by means of simultaneous hydrometer/temperature readings, equated to, and generally expressed at 60ºF. The relative density to API gravity relation is: API gravity at 60ºF = 141.5 divided by relative density 60ºF minus 131.5.
APICOM Association of Petroleum Industry Cooperative Managers
APS Arrival Pilot Station - Signifies a location, on arrival at which vessel will deliver on to a time-charter. Of advantage to a ship owner when compared with TIP, which see.
APT After Peak Tank
AR / ATRS American Tanker Rate Schedule-Revised - A Standards of reference published by a group of American tanker brokers and expressed in dollars and cents for thousands of possible voyages. Commonly used for U.S. coast wise voyages.
ARA Antwerpen-Rotterdam-Amsterdam, often used as destination specification.
Arbitration A method of settling disputes by one or more arbitrators. Quicker and cheaper than taking a case to court.
ARPA Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
ART Alternative Response Technology
Articulated Platform/ Oscillating Platform
 An offshore structure fastened to the sea bed by means of an articulated hinge, stabilized by buoyancy elements near the surface. Usually used in connection with loading buoys and flare towers.
ASBA Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (U.S.A., Inc.), New York
ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore.
ASEM
 Summit Meeting between Asian and European nations.
ASF Asian Shipowners' Forum - shipowners' association for East Asia and Oceania.
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASO Arbeidsgiverforeningen for Skip og Offshorefartoyer - The Employers' Organization for Ships and Offshore Installations (Oslo).
AST Atlantic Strike Team (U.S. Coast Guard)
ASTF Alaska Science and Technology Foundation
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
ATDN Any Time Day or Night
ATDNS/
ATDNSHINC		 Any Time Day or Night Shinc
ATRS / AR See AR above
ATS All Time Saved
ATSB All Time Saved Both ends
AUTOMATIC SAMPLER A device installed in a flow, automatically controlled so as to extract a representative sample of the flow.
AUTOMATIC TANK GAUGE An instrument capable of indicating the level of product from a location remote to the Manual gauge site
AWES Association of Western European Shipbuilders
AWO American Waterways Operators

 

C (Charlie)

Yes (affirmative)
C&E Customs and Excise - British Department for Tariffs and Customs.
C&F Cost and Freight - Goods are to be sold on the basis that the seller arranges their seaborne transportation and delivery to the buyer.
C.I.S. Confederation of Independent States (former Soviet Union - see also FSU)
C/O/H Cuba / Orinoco / Haiti
CA Central America
CAACE Comit des Associations d'Armateurs de la Communaut Europenne (Brussels) - organization for shipping companies from the EU.
CABA Containing Air Breathing Apparatus
CABAF Currency And Bunker Adjustment Factor
Cabotage Coastal trade, i.e. the movement of goods by ship between ports on the same coast or between ports within the same country.
CACM Central American Common Market
CAD Cash Against Documents
CAF Currency Adjustment Factor
CAJEA Council of All Japanese Exporters' Association
Camber The arching of the deck upward measured at the centerline in inches per foot beam.
CAP Condition Assessment Programme - inspection of a vessel to determine its technical condition.
Capesize Vessel which is too large to navigate the Suez Canal to and from the Arabian Gulf, therefore being forced to voyage around the Cape of Good Hope - approximately 80,000 - 175,000 dwt.
Caping Routing a vessel around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
Capital intensive tonnage Vessel demanding relatively large capital investments, e.g. cruiseships, gas- and chemical tankers, etc.
CARIBS Caribbean Sea
CARICOM Caribbean Community.
CAS Collision Avoidance System - Electronic system commonly used to prevent collisions in USA inland navigable waterways.
Casing Pipe with thick walls placed in the drill hole and cemented in place. Prevents the hole from caving in.
CASO Council of American- flag Ship Operators (eight liner companies which left the AIMS).
Catwalk A raised bridge running fore and aft from the Midship House, also called "walkway". It affords safe passage over the pipe lines and other deck obstructions.
Cave-in The walls of the drill hole disintegrating and filling up the hole.
CBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (tariff agreement) - CBA for Filipino seamen between AMOSUP and ASO is an example. The term is used for any kind of tariff agreement, both for NIS-ships and foreign flagged ships.
CBFS Carbon Black Feed Stock
CBM Conventional Buoy Mooring
CBR Commodity Box Rate
CBT Clean Ballast Tanks
CCA Chemical Carriers Association
CCAF Comité des Armateurs de France - the French shipowners' association.
CCC Customs Co-operation Council - forum for international cooperation between customs authorities, attempting to create harmony and uniformity of approach.
CCGD8 Commander Coast Guard District Eight
CCR Cargo Control Room
CCS China Classification Society
CCW Clean Coastal Waters (Long Beach CA cooperative)
CD Customary Dispatch ; Chart Datum - a water level calculated on the lowest tide that can conceivably occur, and used as a basis for chart measurements. Such low tide is known also as the Lowest Astronomic Tide (LAT), and presupposes that at the very worst, there would always be that depth of available water at that particular spot.
CDS Chemical Data Sheet
CE Conseil de l'Europe (Strasbourg)
CEC
 Certificate of Equivalent Competency
CEFOR Maritime insurers central association.
Cellar Deck
 The level beneath Rotary Table on a rig. On a jack-up this means the well-head and BOP. On a floating rig, it is the deck from which the guidelines are controlled. May also have a Marine Riser.
CEMT Conference Europeenne des Ministres des Transports - OECD-affiliated organization for dealing with transportation problems on rails, roads and inland waterways.
CEN European Standardization Organization
CENELEC
 European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation
CENSA Council of European and Japanese National Shipowners' Associations (London).
CENSA Council of European and Japanese (Nipponese) National Shipowners' Association
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (U.S.)
CES Customs Exam Station(U.S. Customs designation for office granting import licence on USDA approved cargoes)
CFR Code of Federal Regulations (U.S.)
CFS Container Freight Station ; Cubic Feet per Second
CFT (CuFt) Cubic Feet
CGT Colliery Guarantee Terms - the ship is to be loaded in accordance with the terms of the colliery (coal mine) guarantee, which is a contract between the colliery and the charterers - occasionally between the colliery and the ship owner - describing applicable laytime, excepted periods, holiday and demurrage
Charterer Cargo owner or another person/company who hires a ship.
Chartering To hire a ship to carry goods/cargo.
Chartering agent Shipbroker acting on behalf of charterer in negotiations leading to the chartering of a ship.
Charter-Party (C/P) Contract for the hire of a ship or space in a ship ; Transport contract between shipowner and shipper of goods.
Chemical tanker Special tanker built for the transportation of bulk chemicals. Newer tonnage is equipped with stainless steel tanks. Ships may carry many different cargoes simultaneously, because each tank has its own pump and pipeline system for loading and unloading.
CHOPT Charterer's Option - May refer, for example, to Charterer's option to discharge at a number of ports - e.g.: "up to three ports Taiwan, in Charterer's Option". Or perhaps relative to a cargo size margin - e.g.: "10,000 tonnes, 5 per cent more or less chopt". (See MOLCO).
CIC Clean Island Council (Hawaiian cooperative)
CIF Cost, Insurance, Freight. Designates that the cargo is carried free of charge for the buyer; seller pays all transportation costs.
CIFC Cost, Insurance, Freight and Commission
CIFFO Cost, Insurance and Freight, Free Out
CIMA Channel Industries Mutual Aid Association
CIP Calling-In-Point
CIRCAC Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council
CIS Commonwealth of Independant States
CISPRI Cook Inlet Spill Prevention, Inc. (Alaskan cooperative)
Civil Liability Convention CLC - see Oil spill compensation.
CKD Completely Knocked Down - Said of cargo, normally of cars, shipped in pieces and cased, to be assembled at destination.
Classification society Organization which carries out surveys of newbuildings and at regular intervals when in commission, sets and maintains quality standards for ships and their equipment. Acts on behalf of the flag state's maritime authorities.
CLC Civil Liability Convention of 1969.
CLINGAGE The residue that adheres to the inner surface and structure of a container, such as a tank after having been emptied
CLS Closed Loading System
CMI Comite Maritime International - the international association for maritime law.
COA Contract of Affreightment - quantity contract: An agreement between shipowner and shipper concerning the freight of a defined amount of cargo. The shipowner chooses ship.
Coating Paint (corrosion protection)
COE Corps Of Engineers
COFFERDAM The narrow, empty space between two adjacent watertight or oil-tight compartments. This space is designed to isolate the two compartments from each other and/or provide additional buoyancy. It prevents any liquid contents of one compartment from entering the other in the event of a bulkhead failure. In oil tankers, cargo spaces are usually isolated from the rest of the ship by cofferdams fitted at both ends of the tank body.
COFR Certificate of Financial Responsibility - regarding the transport of oil to USA. Vessels must have a certificate guaranteeing the payment of up to USD 1,500 per dwt. in case of oil spills.
COFR Certificate Of Financial Responsibility
COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (USA).
Collar A thick piece of pipe closest to the bit.
Combination carrier Ships for the transportation of both liquid and dry bulkcargoes. There are two main types: Ore carriers and bulk-tank-ships.
Commission Shipbroker's remuneration, normally 1.25 per cent of gross freight. Calculated also for sales and purchases of vessels at one per cent of purchase price.
Commission Shipbroker's fee - often 1,25% of the gross freight rate. In the case of a purchase/sale, often 1% of the purchase sum.
Completion Making the hole ready for production.
Conductor Pipe Casing with large diametre - normally the first first lining or guide pipe fitted during the drilling operation.
Container vessel Ship specially designed to carry standard containers (TEUs). Generally called Cellular container ship. The larger part of the cargo-carrying capacity consists of containers carried on deck or in cells in the hold. Containers are lifted on and off with special cranes and are then called lift on-lift off-ships (see special entry). Container ships are generally fast, operating regular sailing schedules (lines).
Contract of Affreightment, c.o.a. Contract for the hire of a ship. The shipowner undertakes the transport of certain amounts of goods for one or several voyages.
COP Custom Of The Port - cargo to be loaded or discharged as per custom of the port. Thus no specific rate of cargo handling would be entered in the contract, the owner relying on the vagaries of local practices and customs. Presumably he will ask for a higher freight rate to protect him against possible delays.
COR Certificate Of Registry
COTCTFC Charterer's Option To Complete To Full Cargo
COTP Captain Of The Port (U.S. Coast Guard)
COTTON CLUB informal forum for Western European and Japanese shipping attachées in Washington. COTTON CLUB - informal forum for Western European and Japanese shipping attachées in Washington.
COW Crude Oil Washing - a method of cleaning tanks using oil from the vessel's cargo. COW is normally used when a tanker is discharging. Oil is taken from the tanks and pumped through a special line to fixed or semi-fixed tank washing machines where it is sprayed against all inside surfaces of the tank. This procedure removes any cargo which is "clinging" to the surfaces of the tank.
CPP Clean Petroleum Products
CQD Customary Quick Dispatch - the vessel is to be loaded or discharged as quickly as is customary and possible - se CD
CR China Corporation Register (Taiwan) - Taiwanese Skip Classification Agency.
Crane and Construction Vessel/Unit Normally a ship, a barge or a semisubmersible, equipped for the construction and maintenance of fixed installations. May sometimes offer accommodation. Other services offered are: Storage facilities, the supply of water, compressed air and electricity, office space, communications center, helicopter landing pad, etc.
CRC Clean River Cooperative (Portland OR - Columbia River)
CRD Current Rate Discharge (see Current Rate)
CRISTAL Contract Regarding a Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution - a voluntary system established by oil companies in order to "plug" holes in IMO-conventions concerning the financial settlement of claims in connection with oil spills. The oil companies' supplemet to TOVALOP.
CRISTAL Contract Regarding an Interim Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution
CRL Current Rate Load (see Current Rate)
Cross Trade The freight of cargoes between foreign ports. Nearly 95 per cent of the Norwegian-owned tonnage is cross-trading.
CRS Croatian Register of Shipping (Hravatski Registar Brodova) - Croatian Ship Classification Society
Crude (oil) Unrefined oil directly from the well.
Cruise ship Passenger vessel carrying passengers on trips between various ports, normally with the same starting and ending port. Standards of accommodation and recreation normally high.
CSC Container Safety Convention - convention for the promotion of safer containers.
CSD Closed Shelter Deck Ship
CSG Consultative Shipping Group - forum for the discussion of shipping policy on Government level. Fourteen West-European participants and Japan.
CSM Closed System Measurement
CST Centistokes - Measure of the viscosity of oils such as fuel oils. The greater the number of centistokes, the higher the viscosity of a grade of oil.
CSWR Chamber of Shipping War Risks, CP clauses.
CTAC Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee
CTL Constructive Total Loss - loss or damage to goods or to a ship which is such that the cost of repair or recovery would exceed their value when repaired or recovered.
Cubic Capacity The most important commercial measurement when the cargo is so lightweight that the ship is filled to capacity without being loaded to the load line (free board). Capacity is measured in cubic meters or cubic feet (cu.ft.).
Current Rate A Term whereby the ship owner contracts to pay the current rate costs of loading and/or discharge.
CVS Consecutive Voyages - a series of consecutive voyages, usually laden from Port A to Port B, returning in ballast condition, and so on until completion of final cargo discharge.
CWD Colliery Working Days - a laytime term describing normal working days of a colliery (coal mine), including those in a strike or other actions.
CY Container Yard

 

D (Delta)

Keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty
DBB Deals, Battens and Boards. Unit of measure of timber.
DBT Double Bottom Tanks
Dead Freight Money payable by shipper or charterer to shipowner or shipping line for failing to load the amount of cargo stipulated in contract.
Deadweight The largest weight of cargo, bunkers and stores a ship is able to carry. Expressed in metric tons (1,000 kg) or long tons (1,016 kg). The deadweight tonnage is the most important commercial measurement. Normally the maximum payload for a ship is three to ten per cent lower than the deadweight, due to the weight of bunkers and stores, etc.
Decompression Slow, controlled reduction of pressure inside a pressure chamber to prevent divers from suffering the "bends" after a too fast ascent.
Degassing The removal of oil and gas from the drilling mud which may then be used again.
Dehydration Plant/ Water Separation Plant
 Various types of equipment for the "drying" of gas or oil.
DEL Delivery
DELREDEL Delivery and Redelivery
DEM Demurrage - A fixed sum, per day or per hour, agreed to be paid for the detention of the vessel under charter at the expiration of the allowed laytime.
Demurrage Money paid to shipowner by charterer, shipper or receiver, for failing to complete loading/discharging within time allowed according to charter-party.
Derrick Man Platform worker handling the drill stem in the tower.
DES Disaster Emergency Services
Deviated Well A hole which intentionally is not drilled straight down.
DF Dead Freight ; Direction finder
DFD Demurrage/Free Dispatch - An expression confirming that a ship owner may be entitled to demurrage for port delay to his vessel, but that no dispatch is applicable in case laytime is saved - e.g.: "$ 2,000 Demurrage/Free Dispatch". Common in short-sea and other trades where turn-a-round in port is speedy; for example, ro-ro vessels.
DG Directorate General - the term used for the various departments of the EU-Commission.
DHD / D½D Demurrage/Half Dispatch - This term, often found in voyage charter negotiations, signifies that dispatch money is to be paid at half the daily demurrage rate.
DHPT Department of Highways and Public Transportation
Diamond Bit The tip of the drill stem reinforced with diamond to prolong its lifetime.
DIP Depth of liquid = to American expression: gauge
Dip Meter An instrument to measure deviations in the vertical component in the terrestrial magnetic field. Used to determine the position of the sediment and its structure, and to measure the deviation of the drilling hole.
Directional Drilling see Deviated Well.
DIS Dansk Internationalt Skibsregister - Danish International Shipregister.
DISP Dispatch - An agreed amount per day or per hour agreed to be paid to terminals or charterer of a vessel for prompt turnaround of a vessel. Usually half the amount of the agreed demurrage rate. (Demurrage - Half Dispatch).
Dispatch Remuneration payable by shipowner to charterer, shipper or receiver for loading/discharging in less than the time allowed according to charter-party.
Disposal Well Drilling hole which is prepared for the re-injection of produced saline into the reservoirs.
Diving Bell Bell shaped construction for deep sea diving.
Diving Support Vessel Ship with diving equipment on board, carrying out various types of diving operations. May also be equipped with remotely operated or controlled sub-sea robots (Remote Operated Vehicle - ROV).
DK Deutsche Schiffs-Revision und Klassifikation
DNME Dynamic Non-Member Economies (referring to dynamic countries which are not members of the OECD)
DNMF Det norske maskinistforbund - the Norwegian association for Ships' engineers.
DNV Det Norske Veritas (NV) - Norwegian classification society.
DNVPS Det Norske Veritas Petroleum Services
DO Diesel Oil
DOA U.S. Department Of Agriculture
DOC Document of Compliance
DOD U.S. Department Of Defense
DOE U.S. Department Of Energy
DOH U.S. Department Of Health
DOI U.S. Department Of the Interior
Donald Duck-effect Voice distortion due to the inhalation of the oxygen-helium mixture used in deep sea diving.
DOP Dropping Outward Pilot - frequently used provision in a time charter to determine the time and place of redelivery of a ship to the owner by the charterer. The hire ceases at the moment the pilot disembarks.
DOT U. S. Department Of Transportation
DOTC Department Of Transportation Classification
DoTI Department of Trade and Industry, UK
DP Dynamic Positioning
DPO
 Dynamic Positioning Officer
DPP Dirty Petroleum Products
DPS Dynamic Positioning System
DR Danmarks Rederiforening - the Danish Shipowners' Association.
DRAFT The depth of a ship in the water. This distance is measured from the bottom of the ship to the surface of the water. Draft marks are painted or welded on the surface of the vessels vertical plating. They are placed forward, aft and amidships on both sides of the vessel. At the amidships draft the official Load Line marker (Plimsoll mark) is also found. This Plimsoll mark designates the vessels maximum drafts allowed under various conditions.
Drag Bit One-bladed drillbit for drilling in soft sediments.
Drift Horizontal error during drilling operations.
Drill Pipe Pipes with thin walls used during drilling. Each section is normally approximately 10 metres long.
Drill Stem The string driving the bit into the sediments.
Drill Stem Test Standard procedure to test oil or gas discoveries during drilling.
Drill String see Drill Stem.
Driller The person in charge during drilling operations.
Drilling Barge Barge equipped for drilling operations in smooth seas. Normally not equipped with own propulsion machinery. Max. drilling depth approximately 150 meters.
Drilling Fluid, Drilling Mud A special mixture used during drilling operations to lubricate the bit and balance the pressure in the drilling hole.
Drilling Rig Drilling tower with turntable and mud pumping system. May be installed on an offshore rig or placed on a fixed or floating offshore installation like a drillship.
Drilling Supervisor The engineer in charge.
Drilling Tender Service vessel with personnel and equipment to the drilling rig ; Ship serving drilling installations which are depending on a ship or a barge for storage, accommodation, etc.
Drillship Ship equipped with drilling rig and its own propulsion machinery. Kept in position by Dynamic Positioning Equipment. Operating in waters with a max. depth of 2,000 metres.
Dry cargo Grain, coal, ore, general cargo, etc.
DSO De samarbeidende organisasjoner - cooperation between DNMF and NS for mobile offshore installations (Norway).
DSRK Deutsche Schiffs Revision und Klassifikation - German classification society.
DSV
 Diving Support Vessel
DT Deep Tank - Tank situated between the holds of a ship, primarily used for water ballast but capable of carrying water or fuel.
DW/DWT Dead Weight/Dead Weight Tons
DWAT Dead Weight All Told:
The total deadweight of a vessel at any time, or estimated against a particular draft. Includes cargo, bunkers, constant weight, etc.
DWCC Dead Weight Cargo Capacity ; Dead Weight Carrying Capacity: Weight of cargo which a ship is able to carry when immersed to the appropriate load line, expressed in tonnes or tons.
Dynamic positioning Keeping the ship's position with the help of automatically controlled propellers.

 

E (Echo)

I am altering my course to starboard
E&P FORUM
The Oil Industry International Exploration and Production Forum (London). Statoil, Norsk Hydro and Saga Petroleum are full Norwegian members, while OLF is associated member.
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
ECE Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva (UN)
ECJ European Court of Justice (EU)
ECLA Economic Commission for Latin America, UN-body under ECOSOC.
ECMT European Conference of Ministers of Transport
ECOSOC Economical and Social Council of the United Nations, New York - UN's main body for economic questions. The regional commissions - ECLA, ESCAP, ECA, etc. - answer to ECOSOC.
ECSA East Coast South America ; European Community Shipowners' Association (Brussels)
ECSC European Coal and Steel Community
ECU European Currency Units. A financial unit used for EU accounting.
EEA European Economic Area
EFTA European Free Trade Association of Non-common Market Countries.
EIB European Investment Bank
ELA Euzko Langilleen Alkartsuna - Spanish-Basque trade union.
EMA European Monetary Agreement
EMAS
 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
EMIF European Maritime Industries Forum
EMU Economic Monetary Union
ESA EFTA Surveillance Authority.
ESC European Shippers' Council (Hague)
ESCAPE Economic and Social Commission for Asia and South Pacific - under ECOSOC.
EUROS Planned ship register in the EU.
EXIMBANK Export-Import Bank of the United States to promote American exports.
Exploration Well Hole drilled during the search for new oil reserves.
F (Foxtrot)

I am disabled, communicate with me
FACS Federation of American Controlled Shipping - organization for US companies with ships under FOC, mainly the Liberian.
FAO UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (Rome)
FASA Federation of Asian Shipowners' Associations
Feeder Vessel A short-sea vessel used to fetch and carry goods and containers to and from deep sea vessels.
FENSO Federation of Norwegian Ships Officers organizations (NMB in Norwegian)
FEU Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (same as two TEU).
FIATA Federation Internationale des Associations de Transifaires et Assimiles (Zurich) - International association of forwarding agents.
FIO Free in and Out - charterer pays for loading/discharging.
Fish - object
 A fragment of a drill bit, broken drill pipe, or other object lodged at the bottom of the drilling hole, preventing continued drilling.
Fishing The work of removing a Fish.
Fixture Successful conclusion of negotiations between shipowner and charterer, normally with the aid of a shipbroker.
Flag discrimination National legislation reserving cargo for own ships.
Flag of convenience (FOC) Term used by labor organizations about countries allowing unlimited registration of foreign-owned ships in order to achieve low wage levels and low or no taxation payable to the flag state. Some FOC- flag states had previously very lax control routines, or no control at all, concerning the vessels' technical standard and their seaworthiness.
Flaring The burning of non-commercial oil and gas on the production platform or vessel.
Flexible Joint - or Ball-joint The bottom part of the Marine Riser construction, utilized during drilling from floating rig or vessel. Allows a certain angle deviation when the vessel or rig is positioned.
Flo-flo-ship Special ship which may be submerged to allow cargo to be floated on or off, i.e. jack-up platforms which may be carried "piggy-back"-fashion on a flo-flo-ship.
Flush Phase
 The initial production phase.
FMC Federal Maritime Commission - American independant control authority regulating liner services to the USA.
FOB Free on Board - seller is responsible for delivering cargo to the port, paying also for the loading.
FOC Flag of Convenience
FONASABA Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents
Force Majeure A clause limiting responsibility for charterer, shipper or receiver of cargo.
FPSO
 Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Unit
FR Finlands Rederifrening - the Finnish Shipowners' Association.
FRB
 Fast Rescue Boat
Free pratique Ship inspected and cleared by the health authorities of a country.
FSO
 Floating storage and offloading unit
FSU
 Floating storage unit
Fund Convention See Oil spill compensation.
G (Golf)

I require a pilot
Gas Lift The technique of mixing gas into the oil flow in order to enhance the flow.
Gas Oil Ratio
 The ratio between the produced gas in cubic feet, and the oil measured in barrels.
Gas Re-Injection
 Secondary Recovery Technique with the re-injection of "dried" and condensate-free gas to maintain pressure in the reservoir.
Gas tanker Special ship for the transportation of condensed (liquid) gases. The most important cargoes are: -LNG - Liquefied Natural Gas (mostly methane). -LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas (propane, butane). -Ammonia. -Ethylene. On board, gases are kept liquid with highly effective insulation (thermos bottle-principle), by high pressure or by low temperature. LNG-ships must be able to carry cargoes with temperatures as low as -163°C.
Gas Well
 The discovery of hydrocarbons with a high Gas Oil Ratio.
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services - part of GATT - concerns trading in services, incl. shipping.
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Geneva).
GBS Gravity Base Structure
GCBS General Council of British Shipping - the amalgamation of the former BSF - British Shipping Federation - and the UK Chamber of Shipping, established 1976.
General cargo Goods unpackaged or packaged, but not shipped in bulk.
Geological Survey
 Detailed investigation for structure and type of sediment.
GEOROT Geographical Rotation - sequence in which ship calls at ports on her itinerary.
GIS German International Shipregister
GL Germanischer Lloyd - German classification society.
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
Gooseneck
 Curved section of pipeline where the drill mud reaches the flexible hosepipe for further transportation to the swivel.
Grain Cap Grain Capacity - a ship's grain-carrying capacity.
Gravity Structure
 Platform firmly placed on the seabed without any special fastenings due to its high specific gravity. Several gravity structures have been installed in deep parts of the North Sea.
Gross Tonnage GT (0.2+0.02·log10V)·V, where V is the volume in cubic metres of all enclosed spaces on board.

 

 

H (Hotel)

I have a pilot on board
Handymax Dry bulk vessel of approximately 35,000 - 50,000 dwt.
Handysize Dry bulk vessel or product tanker, 15,000 - 50,000 dwt.
HBL
 Hydrostatically Balanced Loading - balancing oil and water pressure preventing oil leaks in case of grounding. HBL reduces the cargo carrying capacity bu appr. 7 per cent.
Heavy Grain Grain filling the ship to full deadweight capacity.
Hire-purchase Charter-Party C/P where the charterer gets ownership of the vessel at the conclusion of the C/P.
HR Hellenic Register of Shipping - Greek classification society.
HSC
 High Speed Craft
HSLC
 High Speed Light Craft
HSS Highspeed Sea Service - fast ferry concept with double- or multihulled vessels with carrying capacity of up to 1500 passengers and around 400 cars.
I (India)

I am altering my course to port
IACS International Association of Classification Societies
IADC International Association of Drilling Contractors (Houston/Amsterdam)
IAPH International Association of Ports and Harbours.
IBIA International Bunker Industry Association (Kingston on Thames).
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Washington) - the World Bank.
ICC International Chamber of Commerce
ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
ICHCA International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (London)
ICOTAS International Committee on the Organization of Traffic at Sea (London)
ICPL International Committee on Passenger Lines (for the CENSA-countries).
ICS International Chamber of Shipping (London)
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFSMA International Federation of ShipMasters Association (London)
ILA International Law Association
ILO UN's International Labour Organization (Geneva)
IMB International Maritime Bureau - bureau established by the ICC to combat fraud in the shipping industry.
IMDG International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code - rules for the labelling of dangerous goods at sea.
IMEC International Maritime Employers' Committee
IMIF International Maritime Industry Forum - a forum for banks and shipbuilders with the purpose of solving problems in connection with surplus tanker tonnage.
IMO International Maritime Organization (London) - UN's maritime authority.
IMPA International Pilots' Association
IMU International Maritime Union (Latin-American seamen's union with US affiliations.)
Injection Well
 Hole drilled to inject water or gas into the reservoir in order to maintain pressure. Also called Service Well.
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization (London)
Inside Preventer
 A type of BOP which is installed on the drill stem.
INSROP International Northern Sea Route Programme - comprehensive, multi-national, multi-disciplinary five-year research programme investigating commercial navigation through the North-East Passage.
Instrument Pig
 An apparatus with various measuring instruments placed inside the pipeline. Transported along with the oilflow
INTERCARGO International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (London) - Opposite number to INTERTANKO.
Intermodal transport Carriage of goods employing various modes of transport, i.e. sea/land, rail/sea, etc., between sender and receiver. Also called Multimodal Transport.
INTERTANKO International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Oslo)
IOE International Organization of Employers
IOPC International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
IOPP International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
ISF International Shipping Federation (London) - cooperation of maritime employers' associations.
ISM International Safety Management Code
ISMA International Ship Managers' Association
ISO International Standards Organization (London)
ISOA International Support Vessels Owners' Association (London)
ITF International Transport Workers' Federation (London)
Itinerary List of a ship's ports of call.
ITOPF International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd. (London) - manages TOVALOP and cooperates closely with CRISTAL.
ITS International Tanker Service - planned cooperation in the market between independent tanker owners.
IWA International Wheat Agreement

 

J (Juliett)

On Fire; Keep Clear - I am going to send a message by semaphore
Jacket
 The lower part of the production system from the seabed to the lower deck module.
Jackup
Movable installation consisting of a large deck with legs which may be jacked up. During operation, the legs are resting on the seabed, and the vessel "jacked up", leaving the deck in secure position high above the surface of the sea. When moved, the legs are retracted and the installation floates. Usually not equipped with own propulsion machinery. (Max. water depths 110 to 120 metres.) Normally used as a drilling rig.
JARC Jones Act Reform Coalition
JDPO
 Junior Dynamic Positioning Officer
JETTISON The act of throwing goods or pumping cargo overboard to lighten a ship to improve stability in an emergency.
Joint service Two or more shipping companies jointly operating a service.
JR Jugoslav Register - Yugoslav classification society.

 

K (Kilo)

Desire to Communicate
Kelly
 The upper square or hexagonal part of the drill stem.
KFK Koordinerende forskningskomité (Norway) - Coordinating Research Committee.
KGS Kilogram(s)
Kick
 A sudden increase in the drill mud pressure from below. A kick may in extreme cases develop into a Blow-out.
Kill
 The increase of the counterpressure in the well, e.g. achieved by using mud with higher specific gravity.
Knot Measure of speed for ships, i.e. one nautical mile (1,852 metres) per hour.
Kommandittselskap (K/S) Limited partnership. A form of shipfinancing very popular in Norway before the tax reform in 1991. Now almost obsolete.
KPI Kesatuan Pelant Indonesia - Indonesian seamen's union.
KR Korean Register of Shipping - Korean Ship Classification Society
KT Knot - measure of speed of a ship, equal to one nautical mile (6,080 feet or 1,852 meters) per hour
KTM Keel to Top of Mast - distance from the keel of the Vessel to the top of the mast, also referred to as Airdraft, which indicates the clearance needed for the Vessel to pass under air structures above the waterways.
kWT
The main machinery's break-kW + the vessel's gross tonnage (GT) according to the vessel's papers. Used by the NSA when calculating wage levels.
L (Lima)

You should stop, I have something important to communicate
L/C Letter of Credit ; Laydays/Canceling: See LAYCAN
L3C Last Three Cargoes
LA Los Angeles
LAFTA Latin America Free Trade Association
Lanemetre Used particularly in connection with the transportation of trailers. One lanemetre is one metre of deck, with a width of 2.5 to 3.0 metres.The capacity of ships built for the transportation of new automobiles is normally expressed by the number of cars carried, or by the area of deckspace, in square metres.
LASH Lighter Aboard Ship, i.e. ships which can carry lighters "piggy-back" fashion.
LAT Latitude ; Lowest Astronomic Tide: see Chart Datum
Lay Barge or Pipe Laying Barge
 Vessel laying pipelines on the seabed.
LAYCAN Laydays/Canceling - a spread of dates - e.g.: "Laydays 1st September/Canceling 15th September," between which dates a vessel is to present for loading. Too early and she will probably have to wait. Too late and she risks being canceled by the charterers.
Lay-up
 Ships are laid-up when rates are too low for profitable trading. Laid-up vessels are moored or anchored with a minimum watch crew on board.
LB Long Beach ; Lower Buchanan
LBP Length Between Perpendiculars - the length of the vessel measured between the forward part of the stern to the after part of the rudder post.
LCL Less than Container Load
LD Load
LDD Leaded
LDT Light Displacement Tonnage
Leasing When a ship is leased, the owner may in fact utilize it as in a bareboat or hire-purchase-C/P, but without entering into a charter-party-contract. The price is agreed between the shipping company (lessee) and the vessel's legal owner - the leasing company (lessor). The agreed fee will normally give the lessor a return on the investment with a profit during the leasing period. When the agreed period expires, the lessee may extend the leasing, but at a reduced fee (e.g. 1/12 of previous fee), or purchase the vessel at its estimated value.
LGM Lawful General Merchandise
LIFO Liner In Free Out
Liner Vessel serving a regular defined route or trade, following a published sailing schedule.
Liner conference Two or more shipping companies operating a service in common between designated areas. Conference partners agree special freight rates and terms for the trade, in order to stabilize market and service.
Liner Pipe
 Casing which does not reach quite up to the well-head.
Liner service Cargoships operating regular schedules between advertised ports.
LIST The leaning of the vessel to the port or starboard.
LLA Long Length Additional
LLMC International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims
LMMA London Maritime Arbitrators Association, London
LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
LOA Length Over All:
The extreme length of the vessel measured from the foremost part to the aftermost part of the hull.
LOC (L/C) Letter of Credit ; Letter Of Compliance
LOF-90 Lloyd's Open Form - standardized salvage contract.
LOF-95 Lloyd's Open Form - standardized salvage contract. Current version is called LOF-95. Effective January 1 1995. Revised and updated version of the LOF-90, and reflects changes resulting from the UK Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Pollution) Act 1994. Other changes have also been incorporated in this new LOF-95.
LOFR Letter Of Financial Responsibility
LOG An apparatus for measuring the speed of a vessel through the water. ; An entry made in a log book to record any event or occurrence during the logging period.
LOI Letter of Indemnity - a guarantee issued by the receiver named in the Bill of Lading, Holding the carrier harmless if he is ordered to release the cargo without presentation of original Bill of Lading.
LOLO Lift On/Lift Off - a term describing the method of loading and discharging cargo by ship or shore gear.
Lo-lo-ship Lift on-lift off-ship. Containers or other goods are lifted on board and ashore by cranes.
LONG Longitude
LORI Letter Of Response Intention
LOT Load On Top - the concept of allowing hydrocarbon material recovered during tank washing to be commingled with the next cargo.
LOU Letter of Undertaking - a guarantee issued by a P & I Club or insurer, in cases where a vessel is involved in an accidents or damage to cargo. The LOU guarantees settlement of any proven claims, thus allowing the vessel to sail without unnecessary delays.
LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas
LPOC Last Port Of Call
LR Lloyd's Register of Shipping - British classification society.
LS Lump Sum
LS & D Landing, Storage and Delivery
LSC Liberian Shipping Council
LSWR Low Sulphur Waxy Residue
LT (L/T) Long Ton - ton of 2,240 pounds, equivalent to 1,016 metric tons (M/T) ; Liner Terms - the responsibility and cost of loading, carrying and discharging cargo is that of the carrier, from the moment the goods are placed alongside the carrying vessel in readiness for loading, until discharged alongside at their destination. Time spent cargo-handling is also at the carrier's risk.
LTS LayTime Saved - dispatch to be paid for laytime saved.
LW Low Water
LWONT Low Water Ordinary Neap Tides
LWOST Low Water Ordinary Spring Tides - a measure of water depth at the low water mark on ordinary (i.e.: not exceptional) Spring tides. See Chart Datum and MLWS.
M (Mike)

I am Stopped ; I have a doctor on board
M Meter or Measure
M/T (MT) Motor Tanker
M/V (MV) Motor Vessel
Management Company
A company (often third party) assuming responsibility for the operation and administration of a vessel, i.e. crewing, technical operations and maintenance.
Manifest List of all cargo on board (Cargo Manifest). Term used also for passenger list on cruise vessels, passenger ferries, etc
MARAD Maritime Administration (USA) - authority under the US department for Trade. Handles subsidies etc. to American shipyards and shipping companies.
Marine Riser
 Large diametre casing, consisting of many pipe sections coupled together, normally with floating elements on the outside. Installed between the Marine BOP and the drilling rig.
MARINTEK Norsk Marinteknisk Forskningsinstitutt A/S (Trondheim) - Norwegian maritime research institution.
Maritime inquiry An inquiry conducted by maritime and legal authorities following an accident or near-accident at sea, resulting in a maritime declaration.The purpose of such hearings is to uncover the cause of accident or mishap. The inquiry is primarily conducted between members of the crew, but may also involve bystanders who may shed light on the events. The maritime inquiry serves three purposes according to Norwegian maritime law: -Enables maritime authorities to consider amending or improving existing rules and regulations in order to prevent similar accidents. -Determines whether or not someone should be prosecuted for criminal neglect or breach of rules. -Uncovers liabilities in connection with insurance claims.
MARPOL The International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships (London) - 1973 (as modified by the Protocol of 1978)
MAX Maximum
MB Molded Breath - the breath of the hull at the widest part, measured between the outer surfaces of the frames.
MBT Motor Blocks Turning
MCT Marine Custody Transfer
MCTM Marine Custody Transfer Measurement - the measurement activity involving a marine custody transfer (MCT)
MD Mean Draft - the average of the drafts measured at the bow and the stern. ; Molded Depth - the depth measured between the top of the keel, or lower surface of the frame at the center line, and the top of the upper deck beam at the gunwale.
MDO Marine Diesel Oil
MED Mediterranean Sea
MED Mediterranean Sea
MEIF Mandatory Excess Insurance Facility - Norwegian-Swedish-Greek proposal to solve the COFR-question.
MEP Marine Environmental Protection (U.S.)
MEPC Maritime Environment Protection Committee (IMO, London)
Merger The joining of two or more (shipowning) companies.Merger - the joining of two or more (shipowning) companies.
MERCOSUR
 Regional political trade organisation comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
MERPAC Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee
MF Meter Factor
MFO Marine Fuel Oil
MHWN Mean High Water Neaps
MHWS Mean High Water Springs
MIN Minimum
MIN/MAX Minimum/Maximum - refers to fixed cargo size - e.g.: "10,000 tonnes min./max.".
MIO Marine Inspections Office
MITS Maritim information technology.
MMC Merchant Mariners’ Credentials
MMPD Maximum Most Probable Discharge (U.S., related to oil spill)
MMS Minerals Management Service (U.S.)
MODU Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit
MOL More Or Less - refers to a cargo size option - say, "10,000 tonnes, 5 per cent more or less" - usually clarifying whose option to select the final cargo size
MOLCHOP More Or Less Charterer's Option
MOLCO More Or Less Charterer's Option
MOLOO More or less owner's option - a margin which the shipowner has for the amount of cargo a vessel should carry. I.e. "30,000 tons 5 per cent moloo" means that the vessel can load between 28,500 and 31,500 tons.
Monkey Board
 Platform in the drilling tower where the Derrick Man is handling the drill stem.
Monopod
 Type of rig where the foundation consists of a cylindric stem from the seabed to the surface.
Motion Compensator
 Equalizes level variations during drilling from floating rigs or cranes.
MOU Memorandum Of Understanding
Mousehole
 Hole in the Derrick platform where the next section of drill stem is placed awaiting being coupled to the drill stem.
MPA Marine Preservation Association (supports MSRC)
MPMS Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (API)
MPSV
 Multipurpose Service Vessel
MR Mates Receipt
MRR Maritime Regulatory Reform
MS Motor Ship
MSC Maritime Safety Committee (IMO, London)
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
MSIS Marine Safety Information System
MSO Marine Safety Office (USCG)
MSRC Marine Spill Response Corp., The. (OSRO)
MT (M/T) Metric Tonne - a tonne of 2,204 pounds or 1,000 kilograms, equivalent to 0.9842 long tons.
MTC Maritime Transport Committee (OECD)
Mud Line
 The sea bed, the borderline between the water and solid sediments.
Mud Pit
 Tank containing the drill mud.
Mud Weight
The weight of the drill mud in pounds per gallon. Light mud: 8 pounds/gln; heavy mud: 14 pounds/gln.
MUI Maritime Union of Indian Officers
Multipurpose ship General cargo ship which can also carry containers.

 

N (November)

No (negative)
N/B New Building
NAABSA Not Always Afloat But Safe Aground - most owners will agree only that their vessel (especially deep-sea vessels) proceed only to ports where there is sufficient water to remain always afloat, so as to avoid the risk of hull damage. There are areas and ports, however, where water depth is restricted but, the bottom being soft mud, it is customary for ships to safely lie on the bottom at certain states of the tide - e.g.: River Plate. In such a case, owners will probably agree to proceed NAABSA.
NAFTA
 North-American Free Trade Agreement
NARCO National Response Corporation (OSRO)
NASCO Norwegian Asian Seafarers' Conference
NATO North-Atlantic Treaty Organization - Western defence alliance.
NAVSAC Navigation Safety Advisory Council
NCB National Cargo Bureau
NCP National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (U.S.)
NDFCAPMQS No Deadfreight For Charterer's Account Provided Minimum Quantity Supplied.
Neap Tides The opposite of Spring Tides (which see). Neap Tides occur when the tidal range is at its lowest - in other words during periods of relatively low high tides, and of relatively high low tides. A vessel that is prevented from berthing or from sailing with a full cargo or, indeed, is trapped in a berth by the onset of neap tides, is said to have been "neaped".
NEOBIG Not East Of But Including Greece
NET CAP Net Capacity
NET OBQ OBQ less free water in cargo, slop tanks and lines, and water in suspension in slop tanks.
Net Tonnage NT (0.2+0.02·log10(Vc))·Vc·(4d/3D)2, for passenger ships the following formula is added: 1.25·(GT+10000)/10000·(N1+(N2/10)), where Vc is the volume of the cargo holds, D is the distance between the ship's bottom and the uppermost deck, d is the draught, N1 is the number of cabin passengers, and N2 is the number of deck passengers.
NETAC The National Environmental Technology Applications Center (Pittsburgh, PA)
Nett Terms Opposite to Gross Terms. Cargo-handling is the responsibility and for the account of the charterer or the cargo seller.
NEWCI Not East of West Coast of Italy
NFD Norwegian Friendship Development - Norwegian recruiting office in Manila.
NH North of (Cape) Hatteras
NIDDESC Navy/Industry Digital Data Exchange Standards Committee
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIS Norsk Internasjonalt Skipsregister (Bergen) - Norwegian International Ship Register.
NIST National Institute of Standards & Technology
NK / NKK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai ( Japanese Ship Classification Society)
NMB Norsk Maritimt Befalskartell - (see FENSO)
NMU National Maritime Union (USA)
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - (A U.S. agency incorporating the National Weather Service)
NOE Not Otherwise Enumerated
NOKUS-company (NOrsk-Kontrollert Utenlandsk Selska Company established in a country where corporate taxes are less than two thirds of Norwegian corporate tax, and Norwegian interests own or control minimum 50 per cent of the shares. Norwegian participants in such companies are taxed in Norway for their share of profits (§7 in Norwegian Tax Law).
NOLA New Orleans, Louisiana
NOP Notice Of Protest - a letter issued by any participant in a voyage citing any condition with which issue is taken. This serves as a written record that the particular action or finding was questioned at the time of occurrence. For example a declaration made by the Master before a notary public or consular official when through stress of weather, there has been or the master fears that there might have been, damage to the vessel or cargo, or occurrences that exceeded or breached the warranties in the Charter Party. Copies are frequently demanded by insurance underwriters in the event of a claim.
NOPEF Norsk Olje- og Petrokjemisk Fagforbund, Stavanger - Norwegian trade union for oil industry workers.
NOR Skipsregisteret, Bergen. Often termed Norsk Ordin'rt Register - the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register.
NOR Notice Of Readiness - notice served by the Master to inform the terminal/charterer that the vessel is ready in all respects to load or discharge cargo.
NORDKOMPASS Nordisk Komité for Passasjerskip - Nordic forum for passengership and ferry companies and shipowners' associations.
NOS Not Otherwise Specified
NOV Net Observed Volume - the total volume of all petroleum liquids, excluding S&W, and free water at observed temperature and pressure.
NPA National Petroleum Association - usually with reference to ASTM D-155 color scale, for instance "undarker than 2.5 NPA", which can be described as "extra lemon pale"
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (U.S.)
NPFC National Pollution Funds Center
NPRA National Petroleum Refiners' Association
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (U.S.)
NR Norges Rederiforbund (Oslo) - Norwegian Shipowners' Association (NSA).
NRC National Response Center (USCG)
NRDA National Resource Damage Assessment (pronounced: NERDA)
NRDAM/GLE Natural Resource Damage Assessment Model for Great Lakes Environments
NRDC Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC The National Resources Defense Council (U.S.)
NRT National Response Team (U.S.) ; Net Registered or Register Tonnage
NS Norsk Styrmandsforening - the former Norwegian association for ships' mates.
NSA see NR
NSF Norsk Sjomannsforbund - Norwegian Seafarers' Union, (also Norsk Skibsforerforbund - Norwegian Association of Master Mariners)
NSF National Strike Force (U.S.)
NSFCC National Strike Force Coordination Center (U.S.)
NSOAF North Sea Offshore Authority Forum.
NSRP National Shipbuilding Research Program
NSU National Seafarers' Union (Sri Lanka)
NSV Net Standard Volume - the total volume of all petroleum liquids, excluding S&W and free water, corrected by the appropriate temperature correction factor (Ct1) for the observed temperature and API gravity, relative density or density to a standard temperature such as 60ºF or 15ºC and also corrected by the applicable pressure correction factor (Cp1) and meter factor.
NT Net Tonnage - the volumetric cargo capacity of a ship expressed on the basis of 100 cubic feet tot he ton. On passenger vessels it also includes space used by passengers.
NTC Norwegian Training Center (Manila)
NTIS National Technical Information Service (U.S.)
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
NUMAST British trade union for officers and crew.
NUS National Union of Seamen - British seamen's union.
NUSI National Union of Seamen of India
NVIC Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular
NVOC Non Vessel Owning Company
NVOCC Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier
NWS National Weather Center
NYNNGWB New York Not North of George Washington Bridge
NYPE C/P New York Produce Exchange Time Charter Party Form
O (Oscar)

Man overboard
O/C Ore Carrier ; Open Charter
OAL Overall Length
OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries
OAU
 Organisation of African Unity
OBO Ore Bulk Oil - a vessel constructed in such a way that it may carry various bulk cargoes of ore, oil, grains and other bulk products.
OBO-carrier Vessel built for the carriage of diversified bulkcargoes (i.e. Oil/Bulk/Ore).
OBQ On Board Quantity - refers to cargo, bunkers or fresh water on board the ship prior to commencement of a charter, a voyage or loading operation. Also cargo tank quantities of any material aboard a ship after deballasting, immediately prior to loading. Can include oil, oil/water emulsion, water, non-liquid hydrocarbons and slops. (NET OBQ:OBQ less free water in cargo, slop tanks and lines, and water in suspension in slop tanks)
OCIMF Oil Companies' International Marine Forum (London)
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development - 25 member countries.
Offshore activities For shipowning companies, O.A. include activities connected with the exploration for, development of and operation of oil and gas fields at sea. Most important are: Collecting seismic data, test drilling, field development, towing and anchor handling, the supply service, transportation of equipment and modules, heavylifts, diving operations and underwater work, the use of ROVs, pipelaying, operation of floatels and construction jobs. Salvage and rescue operations are also important aspects of this. The loading of oil tankers offshore by means of buoys or fixtures on the seabed, is still another feature of Norwegian offshore activities.
Offshore service vessels Common term for specialized vessels used during the exploration, development and production phases of oil and gas at sea.
OFS Oljearbeidernes Fellessammenslutning (Stavanger) - Norwegian federation of trade unions in the oil industry.
OFU Offshoren'ringens Forhandlingsutvalg - negotiating committee for the offshore industry.
OGLA Offshore Galveston Lightering Area
OIC Officer In Charge
Oil spill compensation Compensation for oil spills is internationally regulated by two conventions - The Civil Liability Convention - CLC - (i.e. International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage - 1969) regulating the shipowners' liability, and The Fund Convention (i.e. International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971), with a fund financed by the cargo owners (oil companies) paying compensation if the shipowner cannot be held responsible, or if compensation paid is not adequate, with a maximum limitation clause.
Oil String
 The last section of the drill pipe to be cemented in place. Also called Inner Conductor or Production Casing.
Oil-tanker Ship carrying crude oil or refined products. If a ship is equipped to carry several types of cargo simultaneously, the ship type is called Parcel tanker. A shuttle tanker is a tanker carrying oil from offshore oil fields to terminals. An oil tanker especially built for the transportation of refined oilproducts, often with tanks painted or coated on the inside, is called a product carrier.
OLF Oljeindustriens Landsforening (Stavanger) - Federation of oil industry employers.
OMB Office of Management and Budget (U.S.)
OMS Office of Marine Safety (U.S.)
On Stream The phase where the oil/gas production is started through the main pipe.
OPA Oil Pollution Act (USA)
OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Vienna)
Ore/oil carrier Ship with separate cargo holds for ore cargoes. When the ship is carrying oil, the ore holds may also be filled with oil, in order to utilize the deadweight capacity to the fullest.
OSSL Oljeserviceselskapenes Landsforening - The Association of Norwegian Oil Industry Service Companies.
OSV Offshore Support Vessel

 

 

P (Papa)

The Blue Peter - all aboard, vessel is about to proceed sea. (At sea) your lights are out or burning badly
P&I Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Panmax (Panamax) The largest bulk carrier which can pass through the Panama Canal fully loaded (approximately 80 ,000 dwt.).
Parcel tanker see Oil-tanker.
Pax Abbreviation for passenger(s). Used in cruiseshipping and on passenger ferries.
Pay zone The part of the reservoir which may be exploited economically.
PBOS NATO Planning Board for Ocean Shipping (Brussels)
Penetration Rate The drill bit's speed through the sediments.
Permeability The sediment's ability to let hydrocarbons pass through.
Pipe-Laying Barge
or Lay Barge		 Vessel constructed for the laying of pipes on the sea bed.
PMOU
 Paris Memorandum of Understanding - European port-state control
POEA Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (Manila)
Pooling Cargo or profit sharing by cooperating companies in lines or liner conferences.
PR Polish classification society.
Primary Recovery The initial extraction phase when the oil/gas is emitted naturally from the reservoir.
Production Ship Specialized ship pumping oil through flexible pipelines from the seabed.
Production Unit Platform equipped for the production of oil and gas.
Protectionism Flag state protection of own shipping by the elimination of certain competitive elements (see also Flag discrimination).
PSU Polish Seafarers' Union (formerly S-FUF or MR).
PSV Platform Supply Vessel.
Q (Quebec)

My vessel is healthy and I request free practique
R (Romeo)

The way is off my ship. You may feel your way past me
RAS
 Radio Advisory Service (UK)
Rate The offered/agreed price for the transportation of goods.
Ratio between Gross Tonnage/Net Tonnage/Deadweight Approximate conversion figures: 1 NT = 1.7 GT 1 GT = 1.5 dwt. These figures are applicable for tankers and dry cargo vessels up to approximately 25,000 dwt., but not for reefers, ro-ro-ships, passenger ships, etc. For large tank- and bulkships (approximately 100,000 dwt. and above) 1GT is approximately 2 dwt.
Reefer Vessel Vessel with refrigerated cargo hold(s).
Register ton Old term for the measuring of ships, not to be used anymore. (One register ton is 100 cubic feet or 2.93 cubic metres).
RI Registro Italiano - Italian classification society.
RLF Rederienes Landsforening - Association of Norwegian short-sea shipowners.
Ro-ro-ship (Roll on - Roll off) The cargo is driven on board and ashore, either by means of own engine (cars/trailers), or by means of special trucks. There are three main areas: -Ro-ro-ship operating in lines carries containers, pallets, flats or general cargo, and any type of cargo that can be driven on board. -Ro-ro-ship for the transportation of new automobiles (specialised: Pure Car Carrier - PCC), may also carry other rolling cargo. -Ro-ro-ferries carrying a combination of rolling cargo (cars/lorries/trailers) and passengers.
Roughneck Worker in the oil and gas industry.
ROV Remote Operated Vehicle
RS The former Soviet classification society.
S (Sierra)

My engines are going full speed astern
SADCC
 South African cooperation forum
SAFTA
 South American Free Trade Association
SAR
 Search and Rescue
SBT Segregated Ballast Tanks - tanks in a tanker solely used for ballast.
SBL
 Seabed Logging Vessel
SDPO
 Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer
SDR
 Special drawing rights
SEATO South-East Asian Treaty Organization - defence alliance.
Seismic ship Vessel mapping gelogical structures in the seabed by firing air guns transmitting sound waves into the bottom of the sea. The ecco of the shot is captured by listening devices/hydrophones being towed behind the vessel. A seismic ship provides data which is an intrinsic part of the material determining if and when a test drilling should be initiated.
Semisubmersible Movable installation consisting of a deck on stilts, fastened to two or more pontoons. When in operation, the pontoons are filled with water and lowered beneath the surface. The installation is normally kept in position by a number of anchors, but may also be fitted with dynamic positioning equipment (DPE). Usually fitted with own propulsion machinery (max. water depths 600 - 800 metres).
SFT Statens Forurensningstilsyn - Norwegian Pollution Authority.
Shelterdeck
 A deck above the vessel's main deck not included in the gross tonnage. Originally a lightweight structure to shelter the cargo on the main deck from adverse weather conditions. A closed shelterdecker is constructed to allow access through the hatches to the 'tweendeck, taking cargo on one or both levels.
Shipbroker Person who - on behalf of shipowner/shipper - negotiates a deal for the transportation of cargo at an agreed price. Shipbrokers are also active when shipping companies negotiate the purchasing and selling of ships, both secondhand tonnage and newbuilding contracts.
Short Sea Shipping Short distance international trade. Commonly used for trading between countries in the European Union.
Shuttle tanker Buoy-loader - see Oil tanker.
SIGGTO Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators
SIØS Senter for Internasjonal Økonomi og Skipsfart ved Norges Handelshoyskole i Bergen - Norwegian center for maritime economics (Bergen).
SIRE Ship Inspection Report Programme
SIU Seafarers' International Union (USA)
Slop chest
 Goods stocked by the Chief Steward or Purser, sold for private use or consumption by the crew.
SOLAS Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (IMO, London)
Spotrate Rate for single voyage based on the market situation on the day.
SRF Sveriges Redareforening, Gothenburg - Swedish Shipowners' Association.
Stand-by Vessel Ship permanently stationed in the vicinity of an installation with the task of evacuating the rig-crew in an emergency. Also carrying out guard duty keeping other ships away from the installation.
STCW International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (IMO, London)
Stevedore
 Dockworker handling loading/discharging. Term also used on companies delivering such services.
STUFT Ships Taken Up From Trade - merchant vessels chartered by the military.
Submersible Movable installation constructed for drilling operations in shallow waters, where it is lowered until it rests on the seabed (max. water depth 30 - 40 metres).
Subsidiarity principle EU- rule that decisions should be taken on the lowest possible level, e.g. that any case should be decided nationally.
Suezmax The largest tank vessel which can pass through the Suez Canal fully loaded (120,000 -165,000 dwt.).
SUNAMAM Brazilian shipping organization representing the authorities.
Supercargo
 Person employed by shipowner or shipping company/charterer of a ship or a shipper of goods to supevise cargo handling operations. Sometimes called Superintendent. The Supercargo was formerly enlisted as a crew member; now stationed in ports.
Supply ship Vessel transporting stores and equipment to drilling rigs or installations being built or in the production phase. Often called Straight Supply, or Platform Supply Vessel (PSV).
SUR Seafarers' Union of Russia, Moscow
SWATH Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull - fast and economical hull design, primarily used for highspeed ferries, etc.

 

 

T (Tango)

Do not pass ahead of me
Tallyman
 Controls the cargo going into and out of the vessel. Checks that volume and number tallies with the manifests.
T/C-trip The ship is hired for one voyage, but under T/C terms.
TA Trans Atlantic
TA Round Trans Atlantic Round Voyage
TACKLE Any combination of ropes and blocks the multiply power. The equipment on a vessel used to perform working tasks on the vessel.
TAFTA
 Discussions between USA and the EU concerning a Transatlantic Free Trade Area
Tanker Ship carrying liquid bulk cargoes.
TAPA Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act
TAPS Trans Alaska Pipeline System
TARV - Trans Atlantic Round Voyage Trans Atlantic Round Voyage
TAT EPA Technical Assist Team
Tension Leg Platform Floating platform or loading buoy fastened to the seabed with vertical chains or stays etc. , kept in position by its own buoyancy.
TEU Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. The container carrying capacity of a vessel, expressed in the number of TEUs it can load (standard containers of 20x8x8 feet).
Time-Charter (T/C) The hiring of a vessel for a specified period of time.
TIR Transport Internationale Routier - International customs' convention.
Tonkilometre The transportation of one ton cargo over a distance of one kilometre.
Toolpusher Foreman on a drilling rig.
TOVALOP Tanker Owners' Voluntary Agreement Concerning Liabililty for Oil Pollution (London)
Tramp shipping Ships trading where they can get cargo.
Trunk Line The main oil pipeline.
TUAC Trade Union Advisory Committee - advisory committee representing employees in the OECD.

 

U (Uniform)

You are standing into danger
UGT Union General de Trabajadores - Spanish TUC.
UK/CONT B/H United Kingdom/Continent Bordeaux/Hamburg range
ULCC Ultra Large Crude Carrier - oil tanker of 300,000+ dwt.
Umbilical Actually the "umbilical cord" - lifeline with air, hot water and other necessities connecting diver/diving bell with the mother ship or rig.
UNCITRAL
 UN Commission on International Trade and Law
UNCLOS United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Geneva)
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
USAC United States Atlantic Coast
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
USG United States Gulf (of Mexico)
USMC US Maritime Commission
USNH United States North of Hatteras
USWC United States West Coast

 

 

V (Victor)

I require assistance (not distress)
VDR Verband Deutscher Reeder - German Shipowners' Association.
VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier - oil tanker between 200,000 and 300,000 dwt.
Voyage-Charter Contract of carriage where the charterer pays for the use of the vessel's cargo spaces for one or more voyages. Payment is calculated per ton goods carried. The owner pays all operating costs.
VTS Vessel Traffic System

 

W (Whiskey)

I require medical assistance
Water Drive
An important task to maintain pressure in the reservoir.
Water Separation Plant see Dehydration Plant.
Wax             
Paraffin wax which may cause production problems if condensed in production pipelines or in the valves.
WCSA West Coast South America
Well-Head  
Heavy and strong construction installed on the surface string or conductor pipe as foundation for further pressure regulating equipment.
WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions
Wildcatting Speculative well drilling.
Workover Programme for actions to increase/stimulate production from a well.
Worldscale In the tanker segment of shipping, nearly all trip-chartering is done on the basis of the freight-rate system Worldscale (W), which is a method of calculation of payment for the transport of oil by ships, for a single or several consecutive voyages. Worldscale is a table giving the amount of dollars per ton oil for each of a number of standard routes. The rates listed in the table - the socalled flat rates - are termed Worldscale 100 (W100). Large tankers need a lower W than smaller vessels to make a profit. The flat rate is the rate per ton which gives a standard vessel (at present a 75,000 dwt. tanker) earnings of USD 12,000 per day on a T/C-basis for the stipulated voyage. If the flat rate is USD 10.- per metric ton, the rate level at W50 will be 50 per cent of the base rate at W100, i.e. USD 5.00 per ton. The flat rate W100 should make a profit for the "standard vessel", regardless of the voyage for which the ship is chartered. Worldscale is revised annually, and the calculations include both fixed and variable expenses. The purpose of the Worldscale is to enable both owner and charterer to compare easily the returns on alternative voyages.
WPC World Petroleum Congress
WTO World Trade Organization
WTSV
 Well Testing and Service Vessel
X (Xray)

Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y (Yankee)

I am dragging anchor; I am carrying mails
Z (Zulu)

To be used to address or call shore stations; Require a tug