CHARTERING TERMS

AIDS TO NAVIGATION
A Artificial objects to supplement natural
landmarks indicating safe and unsafe
AA waters
Always Afloat
ALOFT
AAAA Above the deck of the ship
Always Accessible Always Afloat
AMIDSHIPS
AAOSA In or toward the centre of the ship
Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition
for a vessel whilst in port ANCHORAGE
A place suitable for anchorage in relation
AARA to the wind, seas and bottom
Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area
ANTHAM
ABAFT Antwerp-Hamburg Range
Toward the rear (stern) of the ship.
Behind. APS
Arrival Pilot Station
ABOARD
On or within the ship ARAG
Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent
ABOVE DECK Range
On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT)
ARBITRATION
ABT Method of settling disputes which is
About usually binding on parties. A clause
usually in a charter party
ADCOM
Address Commission A/S
Alongside
ADDENDUM
Additional chartering terms at the end of a ASBA
charter party American Shipbrokers Association

AFSPS ASPW
Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway) Any Safe Port in the World

AFFREIGHTMENT ASTERN
The hiring of a ship in whole or part In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead

AFT ATDNSHINC
At or towards the stern or rear of a ship Any Time Day/Night Sundays and
Holidays Included
AGROUND
Touching or fast to the bottom ATHWARTSHIPS
At right angles to the centreline of the ship
AGW
All Going Well ATUTC
Actual Times Used to Count
AHL
Australian Hold Ladders

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 CHARTERING TERMS

BI
B Both Inclusive

BACKLETTER BIMCO
Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of The Baltic and International Maritime
indemnity' in favour of the carrier in Council
exchange for a clean bill of lading
BL1
BAF Bale
Bunker Adjustment Factor. A Fuel
Surcharge expressed as a percentage BL2
added or subtracted from the freight (Bill of Lading) A document signed by the
amount, reflecting the movement in the carrier which acts as a Contract of
market place price for bunkers. Affreightment, a receipt and evidence of
title to the cargo.
BALE CAP
Cubic capacity of a vessels holds to carry BM
packaged dry cargo such as bales/pallets Beam

BALLAST BN
Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary Booking Note
for the stability and safety of a ship which BOB
is not carrying cargo Bunker on Board

BALLAST BONUS BOFFER

Compensation for relatively long ballast Best Offer
voyage
BOW
BAREBOAT CHTR. The forward part of a ship
Bareboat Charter - Owners lease a
specific ship and control its technical BROB
management and commercial operations Bunkers Remaining on Board
only. Charterers take over all responsibility
for the operation of the vessel and BROKERAGE
expenses for the duration. Percentage of freight payable to broker (by
owners in c/p's) or applicable to sale or
BBB purchase
Before Breaking Bulk. Refers to freight
payments that must be received before BSS
discharge of a vessel commences Basis

BDI BSS 1/1

Both Dates Inclusive Basis 1 Port to 1 Port

BEAM BT
The maximum breadth or the greatest Berth Terms
width of a ship
BULKHEAD
BELOW A vertical partition separating
Beneath the deck compartments

BENDS BUNDLING
Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports) 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

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 CHARTERING TERMS

very flexible description, a rule of thumb is CIP

to present cargo at a size easily handled Carriage and Insurance paid to...
by a large (20 tonne) fork lift.
COACP
BUNKERS Contract of Affreightment Charter Party
Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel
Oil supplies (Originates from coal bunkers) COB
Closing of Business
BUOY
An anchored float used for marking a COBLDN
position on the water or a hazard or a Closing of Business London
shoal and for mooring
COD
BWAD Cash On Delivery
Brackish Water Arrival Draft
COGSA
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
C CONGESTION
Port/berth delays
CAF
Currency Adjustment Factor CONS
Consumption
CBM
Cubic Metres C/SNEE
CONSIGNEE
CBFT (or CFT) Name of agent, company or
Cubic Feet personreceiving consignment

CFR (or C&F) COP

Cost and Freight Custom Of Port

CHART CP (or C/P)

A map used by navigators Charter Party

CHOPT CPD
Charterers Option Charterers Pay Dues

CHTRS CPT
Charterers Carriage Paid To

CIF CQD
Cost, Insurance & Freight. Seller pays all Customary Quick Despatch
these costs to a nominated port or place of
discharge. CR
Current Rate
CKD
Completely knocked down CROB
Cargo Remaining on Board
COA
Contract of Affreightment - Owners agree CRN
to accept a cost per revenue tonne for Crane
cargo carried on a specific number of
voyages.

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 CHARTERING TERMS

CRT DES
Cargo Retention Clauses, introduced by Delivered Ex Ship
charterers based on shortage of delivered
cargo because of increased oil prices DESP
Despatch. Time saved, reward for quick
CST turnaround- in dry cargo only
Centistoke
DET
CTR Detention (See DAMFORDET)
Container Fitted
DEV
Deviation. Vessel departure from specified
voyage course
D
DFRT
DA Deadfreight. Space booked by shipper or
Disbursement Account charterer on a vessel but not used

DAF DHDATSBE
Deliver At Frontier Despatch Half Demurrage on All Time
Saved Both Ends
DAPS
Days all Purposes (Total days for loading DHDWTSBE
& discharging) Despatch Half Demurrage on Working
Time Saved Both Ends
DAMFORDET
Damages for Detention. Penalty if cargo is DISCH
not ready when ship arrives for working Discharge
(1st day of Laycan). This is not detention
which is charged for ships time on delay. If DK
the cargo is ready there is no Deck
DAMFORDET.
DLOSP
DDU Dropping Last Outwards Sea Pilot
Delivered Duty unpaid. (Norway)

DDP DO
Delivered Duty Paid. Diesel Oil

DECK DOLSP
A permanent covering over a Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway)
compartment,
hull or any part thereof DOP
Dropping Outward Pilot
DEM
Demurrage (Quay Rent). Money paid by DOT
the shipper for the occupying port space Department of Transport
beyond a specified "Free Time" period.
DNRCAOSLONL
DEQ Discountless and Non-Returnable Cargo
Delivered Ex Quay and/or Ship Lost or Not Lost

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 CHARTERING TERMS

DRAUGHT (or DRAFT) EXW

Depth to which a ship is immersed in Ex Works
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 F
on the density of the water in which the
ship is lying. FAC
Fast as can
DRK
Derrick FAS
Free Alongside Ship. Seller delivers goods
DUNNAGE to appropriate dock or terminal at port of
Materials of various types, often timber or embarkation and buyer covers costs and
matting, placed among the cargo for risks of loading
separation, and hence protection from
damage, for ventilation and, in the case of FCA
certain cargoes, to provide space in which Free to Carrier. A modern equivalent of
the tynes of a fork lift truck may be FAS used in intermodal transport where
inserted. goods are transferred at a nominated
forwarders premises, depot or terminal but
DWAT (or DWT) not actually on board vessel.
Deadweight. Weight of cargo, stores and
water, i.e. the difference between lightship FD (FDIS)
and loaded displacement. Free Discharge

FDD
Freight Demurrage Deadfreight
E FDESP
Free Despatch
EBB
A receeding current FDEDANRSAOCLONL
Freight Deemed Earned, Discountless And
EC Non-Returnable (Refundable) Ship And Or
East Coast Cargo Lost Or Not Lost

EIU FENDER
Even If Used A cushion, placed between ships, or
between a ship and a pier, to prevent
ELVENT damage
Electric Ventilation
FEU
ETA Standard 40” Container
Estimated Time of Arrival
FHEX
ETC Fridays/Holidays Excluded
Estimated Time of Completion
FHINC
ETD Fridays/Holidays Included
Estimated Time of Departure
FILO
ETS Free In/Liner Out. Seafreight with which
Estimated Time of Sailing the shipper pays load costs and the carrier
pays for discharge costs.

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 CHARTERING TERMS

FIO FO3
Free In/Out. Freight booked FIO includes Free Out
the seafreight, but no loading/discharging
costs, i.e. the charterer pays for cost of FOB
loading/discharging cargo. Free on Board. Seller sees the goods
"over the ship’s rail" on to the ship which is
FIOS arranged and paid for by the buyer
Free In/Out Stowed. As per FIO, but
excludes stowage costs. FOFFER
Firm Offer
FIOST
Free In/Out and Trimmed. Charterer pays FOG
for cost of loading/discharging cargo, For Our Guidance
including stowage and trimming.
FOQ
FIOT Free On Quay
Free In/Out and Trimmed. As per FIOS but
includes trimming, e.g. the levelling of bulk FOR
cargoes. FIOS includes seafreight, but Free On Rail
excludes loading/discharging and stowage
costs. FORCE MAJEURE
Clause limiting responsibilities of the
FIT charterers, shippers and receivers of
Free In Trimmed cargo.

FIW FORE-AND-AFT
Free In Wagon In a line parallel to the keel

FIXING FORWARD
Chartering a Vessel Toward the bow of the ship
FOT
FIXTURE Free On Truck
Conclusion of shipbrokers negotiations to
charter a ship - an agreement FOW1
First Open Water
FLATPACKING
Cargo to be presented stacked and FOW2
secured as an integral unit. Free On Wharf

FLT FP
Full Liner Terms Free Pratique. Clearance by the Health
Authorities
FMC
Federal Maritime Commission FR
First Refusal. First attempt at best offer
FME that can be matched
Force Majeure Excepted
FREEBOARD
FMS The minimum vertical distance from the
Fathoms surface of the water to the gunwale

FO1 FRT
For Orders Freight. Money payable on delivery of
cargo in a mercantile condition
FO2 (IFO)
Fuel Oil/Intermediate FO

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 CHARTERING TERMS

FREE DESPATCH GR
If loading/discharging achieved sooner Geographical Rotation. Ports in order of
than agreed, there will be no freight money calling
returned.
GRD
FREE EXINS Geared
Free of any Extra Insurance (Owners)
GRT
FREE OUT Gross Registered Tonnage
Free of discharge costs to owners.
Includes seafreight only. GSB
Good, Safe Berth
FRUSTRATION
Charterers when cancelling agreement GSP
sometimes quote 'doctrine of frustration' Good, Safe Port
i.e. vessel is lost, extensive delays.
GTEE
FWAD Guarantee
Fresh Water Arrival Draft
GUNWALE
FWDD The upper edge of a ship's sides
Fresh Water Departure Draft

FYG
For Your Guidance H
FYI 2H
For Your Information Second Half

HA
Hatch
G
HAGUE RULES
GA Code of minimum conditions for the
General Average carriage of cargo under a Bill of Lading
GEAR
A general term for ropes, blocks, tackle HATCH
and other equipment An opening in a ship's deck fitted with a
watertight cover
GLS (GLESS)
Gearless HBF
Harmless Bulk Fertilizer
GNCN
Gencon (GENERAL CONDITIONS) HDLTSBENDS
Half Despatch Lay Time Saved Both Ends
GN (or GR)
Grain (Capacity) HDWTS
Half Despatch Working (or Weather) Time
GO Saved
Gas Oil
HHDW
GP Handy Heavy d.w. (Scrap)
Grain Capacity. Cubic capacity in 'grain'

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 CHARTERING TERMS

HIRE ITINERARY
T/C Remuneration Route.Schedule

HMS IU
Heavy Metal Scraps If Used

HO IUHTAUTC
Hold If Used, Half Time Actually To Count

HOLD IWL
A compartment below deck in a large Institute Warranty Limits
vessel, used solely for carrying cargo
KEEL
HULL The centreline of a ship running fore and
The main body of a ship aft; the backbone of a vessel

HW
High Water
K
KNOT
I A measurement of speed equal to one
nautical mile (6,076 feet) per hour
ICW
Intercoastal Waterway : bays, rivers, and
canals along the coasts (such as the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts), L
connected so that vessels may travel
without going into the sea LANE METER
A method of measuring the space capacity
IMDG of Ro/Ro ships whereby each unit of
International Maritime Dangerous Goods space (Linear Meter) is represented by an
Code area of deck 1.0 meter in length x 2.0
meters in width.
IMO
International Maritime Organisation LASH
To hold goods in position by use of Ropes,
IN &/OR OVER Wires, Chains or Straps etc.
Goods carried below and/or on deck
LAT
IND Latitude. The distance north or south of
Indication the equator measured and expressed in
degrees.
INTERMODAL
Carriage of a commodity by different LAYCAN
modes of transport, i.e. sea, road, rail and Laycan (Layday Cancelling Date)
air within a single journey
INCOTERMS LAYTIME
(Refer to comments in covering statement Time at Charterers disposal for purpose of
on front page A-F) loading/discharging

ITF L/C
International Transport Workers Letter of Credit
Federation (Trade Unions). Complies on
crewing

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 CHARTERING TERMS

LCR LSD
Lowest Current Rate Lashed Secured Dunnaged

LEE LT1
The side sheltered from the wind Liner Terms

LEEWARD LT2
The direction away from the wind. Long Ton = 1,016.05 kilogram (2,240 lbs)
Opposite of windward
LTHH
LEEWAY Liner Terms Hook/Hook
The sideways movement of the ship
caused by either wind or current LW
Low Water
LF
Load Factor. Percentage of cargo or LYCN
passengers carries e.g. 4,000 tons carried Laycan (Layday Cancelling Date)
on a vessel of 10,000 capacity has a load
factor of 40%

LIEN M
Retention of property until outstanding
debt is paid MANIFEST
Inventory of cargo on board
LNG
Liquefied Natural Gas MB
Merchant Broker
LOA
Length Overall of the vessel MDO (DO)
Marine Diesel Oil
LOAD LINE
plimsoll_markSEE PLIMSOLL LINE MIDSHIP
Approximately in the location equally
LOF distant from the bow and stern
Lloyds Open Form
MIN/MAX
LOG Minimum/Maximum (cargo quantity)
A record of courses or operation. Also, a
device to measure speed MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
LOI
Letter of Indemnity MOLCHOPT
More or Less Charterers Option
LONGITUDE
The distance in degrees east or west of MOLOO
the meridian at Greenwich, England More or Less Owners Option

LOW MOORING
Last Open Water An arrangement for securing a ship to a
mooring buoy or pier
LS (or LUMPS)
Lumpsum Freight. Money paid to Shipper MT
for a charter of a ship (or portion) up to Mertic Tonne (i.e. 1,000 kilos)
stated limit irrespective of quantity of cargo
M/V
Motor Vessel / Merchant Vessel

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 CHARTERING TERMS

OWS
N Owners

NAABSA
Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground
P
NM
Nautical Mile. One minute of latitude; P&I
approximately 6,076 feet - about 1/8 Protection and Indemnity Insurance
longer than the statute mile of 5,280 feet
PASTUS
NAVIGATION Past Us
The art and science of conducting a ship
safely from one point to another PC
Period of Charter
NCB PCGO
National Cargo Bureau Part Cargo

NESTING PCT
Implies that cargo is presented stacked in Percent
the contour of similarly shaped cargo, it
may be likened to a stack of plates. This is PDPR
particularly relevant in the presentation of Per Day Pro Rata
tankage strakes for transport
PERDIEM
NON-REVERSIBLE By the Day
(Detention). If loading completed sooner
than expected, then saved days will not be PER SE
added to discharge time allowed. By Itself

NOR PHPD
Notice of Readiness Per Hatch Per Day

NRT PLIMSOLL MARK

Net Restricted Tonnage PLIMSOLL LINE
LOAD LINE
NYPE An internationally recognised line painted
New York Produce Exchange 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
O temperature and saltiness varies with the
season and location. From where Plimsoll
Shipping derived its name.
OO
Owners Option PORT
The left side of a ship looking forward. A
OBO harbour.
Ore/Bulk/Oil Vessel
PRATIQUE
OSH Licence or permission to use a port
Open Shelter Deck
PREAMBLE
OVERBOARD Introduction to a charter party
Over the side or out of the ship

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 CHARTERING TERMS

PROFORMA SEAWORTHINESS
Estimated Account Statement of condition of the vessel (valid
certificates, fully equipped and manned
PUS etc.)
Plus Us
PWWD SELFD
Per Weather Working Day Self Discharging

SEMI-TRAILERS
Are usually 12.0 meter flat bed road
R trailers

RCVR SF
Receiver Stowage Factor. Cubic space
(measurement tonne) occupied by one
RECAP tonne (2,240 lbs/1,000 kgs) of cargo
Recapitulation of the terms and conditions
agreed SHINC
Sundays/Holidays Included
REVERSIBLE SHEX
(Detention). If loading completed sooner Sundays/Holidays Excluded
than expected at load port, then days
saved can be added to discharge SKIDS
operations. Are bearers (timber or steel) positioned
under the cargo to enable forklift handling
ROB at port, and for ease of rigging and lashing
Remaining On Board on board ship.

RT SN
Revenue Tonne (i.e. 1.0 metric tonne or Satellite Navigation - A form of position
1.0 cubic meter, whichever greater). The finding using radio transmissions from
overall RT is calculated on a line by line satellites with sophisticated on-board
basis of the Packing List using the largest automatic equipment
amount. The overall freight liability is
calculated on the total RT amount, SOC
multiplied by the freight rate. Shipper Owned Container

SOF
S Statement of Facts

SP
SATPM Safe Port
Saturday P.M.
SPIDERING
SB Is the strengthening of circular tanks for
Safe Berth transport, this prevents the tanks from
becoming warped. The tanks are
SD (or SID) strengthened with steel or wood
Single Decker crossbeams giving a "spider" appearance
SEAFREIGHT SRBL
Costs charged for transporting goods over Signing and Releasing Bill of Lading
the sea. This does not cover haulage or
loading/discharging costs but the sea SSHEX
transport only Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded

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 CHARTERING TERMS

SSHINC (or SATSHINC) TBN

Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included To Be Named / To Be Nominated

STABILITY TC
It is paramount that a vessel is stable in all Time Charter - Owners agree to hire a
aspects at all times. When cargo is particular ship for a set length of time and
loaded/discharged, the stability is provide technical management, crewing
monitored by a computer, which takes into etc.
account the weight and position of cargo
within the vessel. TCP
Time Charter Party
STARBOARD
Right side of a ship when facing the front TEU
or forward end. Standard 20' Container

STEM TOPSIDES
Subject to Enough Merchandise The sides of a ship between the waterline
(Availability of cargo). Also, the forward and the deck; sometimes referring to onto
most part of the bow. or above the deck

STERN TRIM
The aformost or after part of a ship Fore and aft balance of a ship

SUB TTL
Subject (to). Depending upon as a Total
condition
TW
SUPERCARGO Tween Decker
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 U
captain.
USC
SWAD Unless Sooner Commenced
Salt Water Arrival Draft
UU
SWDD Unless Used
Salt Water Departure Draft
UUIWCTAUTC
Unless Used In Which Case Time Actually
Used To Count
T
THWARTSHIPS
At right angles to the centreline of the ship V
TIDE VPD
The periodic rise and fall of water level in Vessel Pays Dues
the oceans
WATERLINE
TIME BAR A line painted on a hull which shows the
Time after which legal claims will not be point to which a ship sinks when it is
entered properly trimmed

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 CHARTERING TERMS

YAW
W To swing or steer off course, as when
running with a quartering sea
WAY
Movement of a ship through water such as
headway, sternway or leeway
WCCON Z
Whether Customs Cleared Or Not
Z
WIBON UTC = GMT
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

Y
YAR
York Antwerp Rules

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