ABBREVIATION

MEANING

AA

Always Afloat

AAAA

Always Accessible Always Afloat

AAOSA

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

AARA

Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area

ABAFT

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

ABOARD

On or within the ship

ABOVE DECK

On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT)

ABT

About

ADCOM

Address Commission

ADDENDUM

Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party

AFSPS

Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway)

AFFREIGHTMENT

The hiring of a ship in whole or part

AFT

At or towards the stern or rear of a ship

AGROUND

Touching or fast to the bottom

AGW

All Going Well

AHL

Australian Hold Ladders

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters

ALOFT

Above the deck of the ship

AMIDSHIPS

In or toward the centre of the ship

ANCHORAGE

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

ANTHAM

Antwerp-Hamburg Range

APS

Arrival Pilot Station

ARAG

Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range

ARBITRATION

Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause usually in a charter party

A/S

Alongside

ASBA

American Shipbrokers Association

ASPW

Any Safe Port in the World

ASTERN

In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead

ATDNSHINC

Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included

ATHWARTSHIPS

At right angles to the centreline of the ship

ATUTC

Actual Times Used to Count

ABBREVIATION

MEANING

BACKLETTER

Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of indemnity' in favour of the carrier in exchange for a clean bill of lading

BAF

Bunker Adjustment Factor. A Fuel Surcharge expressed as a percentage added or subtracted from the freight amount, reflecting the movement in the market place price for bunkers.

BALE CAP.

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

BALLAST

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

BALLAST BONUS

Compensation for relatively long ballast voyage

BAREBOAT CHTR.

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

BBB

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

BDI

Both Dates Inclusive

BEAM

The maximum breadth or the greatest width of a ship

BELOW

Beneath the deck

BENDS

Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports)

BI

Both Inclusive

BIMCO

The Baltic and International Maritime Council

BL¹

Bale

BL²

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

BM

Beam

BN

Booking Note

BOB

Bunker on Board

BOFFER

Best Offer

BOW

The forward part of a ship

BROB

Bunkers Remaining on Board

BROKERAGE

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

BSS

Basis

BSS 1/1

Basis 1 Port to 1 Port

BT

Berth Terms

BULKHEAD

A vertical partition separating compartments

BUNDLING

This is the assembly of pieces of cargo, secured into one manageable unit. This is relevant to items such as Structural Steel, Handrails, Stairways etc. Whilst this is a very flexible description, a rule of thumb is to present cargo at a size easily handled by a large (20 tonne) fork lift.

BUNKERS

Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (Originates from coal bunkers)

BUOY

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

BWAD

Brackish Water Arrival Draft

ABBREVIATION

MEANING

CAF

Currency Adjustment Factor

CBM

Cubic Meters

CBFT (or CFT)

Cubic Feet

CFR (or C&F)

Cost and Freight

CHART

A map used by navigators

CHOPT

Charterers Option

CHTRS

Charterers

CIF

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

CKD

Completely knocked down

COA

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

CIP

Carriage and Insurance paid to...

COACP

Contract of Affreightment Charter Party

COB

Closing of Business

COBLDN

Closing of Business London

COD

Cash On Delivery

COGSA

Carriage of Goods by Sea Act

CONGESTION

Port/berth delays

CONS

Consumption

C/SNEE

CONSIGNEE. Name of agent, company or person receiving consignment

COP

Custom Of Port

CP (or C/P)

Charter Party

CPD

Charterers Pay Dues

CPT

Carriage Paid To

CQD

Customary Quick Despatch

CR

Current Rate

CROB

Cargo Remaining on Board

CRN

Crane

CRT

Cargo Retention Clauses, introduced by charterers based on shortage of delivered cargo because of increased oil prices

CST

Centistoke

CTR

Container Fitted