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Abbreviations and Acronyms

Image credit to: patpitchaya / Getty Images

0 - A

2/O Second Officer
2H Second Half
3/O Third Officer
3PL Third Party Logistics
6-on/6-off Watchkeeping routine shared by two officers: 24 hour period is covered by each working 6 hours on watch, followed by 6 hours off watch
A/C Account
A/H Anchor Handling
A/O And/Or
A/S Alongside
AA Always Afloat
AAAA Always Afloat, Always Accessible
AAOSA Always Afloat Or Safe Aground
AAPA American Association of Port Authorities
AAR Against All Risks
AARA 1. Always Accessible or Reachable on Arrival
2. Amsterdam-Antwerpen-Rotterdam Area
AB Able Bodied seaman
ABL Asset-Based Lending
ABP Associated British Ports
ABS American Bureau of Shipping (classification society)
ABT About
AC Alternating Current (electricity)
ACE Alternative Control of Emissions
ACI Advance Commercial Information
ACP 1. Alternative Compliance Plan
2. Area Contingency Plan (US)
ACT Account
ACV 1. Actual Cash Value
2. Air Cushion Vehicle
AD 1. After Date
2. Area Differential
ADA Americans with Disability Act (US)
ADAAG Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (US)
ADCOM Adress Commission
ADF Automatic Direction Finder
ADOMS Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping
ADR 1. Alternative Dispute Resolution
2. European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
AEO Authorized Economic Operator
AF Anti-Fouling
AFE Approved for Expenditure
AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam
AFFREIGHTMENT The hiring of a ship in whole or part
AFIR Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation
AFRA Average Freight Rate Assessment
AFS Convention Anti-Fouling Systems Convention
International Convention for the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Substances on Ships, 2001
AFSPS Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway)
AFT At or towards the stern or rear of a ship
AG Arabian Gulf
AGW 1. Actual Gross Weight
2. All Going Well
AH 1. Aft Hatch
2. Antwerp / Hamburg range
AHL Australian Hold Ladders
AHT Anchor Handling Tug
AHTS Anchor Handling Tug Supply
AH-TUG Anchor Handling Tug
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIS Automatic (Vessel) Identification System
AJA Administration of Justice Act, 1956
Al Aluminium
ALARP As Low As Reasonably Practical
ALERT Automatic Life-saving Emergency Radio Transmitter
ALJ Administrative Law Judge
ALOP Advanced Loss of Profits
ALP Articulated Loading Platform
ALRS Admiralty List of Radio Signals
ALU Aluminium
AMS Automated Manifest System
AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Agency
AMSL Above Mean Sea Level
AMVER Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue system
AMWELSH Americanised Welsh Coal Charter party (standard coal charterparty)
ANERA Asia-North America Eastbound Rate Agreement
ANOP Articles Not Otherwise Provided for
ANS Aquatic nuisance species
ANSI American National Standard Institute
ANT Advance Notice of Transfer
ANTHAM Antwerp-Hamburg range
AO 1. Awaiting Orders
2. And Other
AOAOO Any One Accident Or Occurrence
AOB Any One Bottom
AOG Active Operator Guidance
AOH/A.O.H. After Office Hours
AOLOC Any One Location
AOR Atlantic Ocean Region
AOS Any One Steamer
AOV Any One Vessel
AP 1. All Purposes
2. Additional Premium
3. Aft Perpendicular
4. Autopilot
APC Alternative Planning Criteria
APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (US)
API American Petroleum Institute
APPS Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (US)
APs Additional insurance premiums
APS Arrival Pilot Station
APT Aft Peak Tank
AQIS Australian Quarantine Inspection Service
ARA Antwerp - Rotterdam - Amsterdam range
ARAG Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Gent range
ARB Arbitration
ARCC Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre
ARND Around
ARPA Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
ASAP As Soon As Possible
ASBA The Association of Shipbrokers and Agents (USA) Incorporated, New York
ASCAP Accelerated Small Claims Arbitration Procedure
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASI Anti-Suit Injunction
ASP Application Service Provider
ASPW Any Safe Port in the World
ASTM American Society of Testing & Materials
ATA Actual Time of Arrival
ATC Actual Time Counting
ATD Actual Time of Departure
ATDN Any Time Day & Night
ATDNSHINC Any Time Day or Night Sundays and Holidays Included
ATF Approved Transitional Facility
ATK Aviation Turbine Kerosene
ATL Actual Total Loss
ATS 1. All Time Saved
2. Automated Targeting System
ATSA Aviation and Transportation Security Act
ATSBE All Time Saved Both Ends
ATSDO All Time Saved Discharging Only
ATUTC 1. Actually Time Used To Count
2. All Time Used to Count
AUSMEPA Australian Marine Environment Protection Association
AUSSIE Australia
AUSTWHEAT Australian Wheat Charter
AUV Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
AUX Auxilliaries
AVGAS Aviation Gasoline
AVR Automatic Voltage Regulator
AVRA Automated Voyage Risk Assessment
AVTAG Aviation Turbine Gasoline
AWIWL Always Within Institute Warranty Limits
AWVNS Always Within Vessel's Natural Segregation
AWRI Additional War Risk Insurance

B

B Bale (cargo capacity)
B/D Bar-Draft
B/E Break-Even
B/L Bill of Lading
B/N Booking Note
B/P Bills Payable
B/R Bills Receivable
B4 Before
BA 1. Breathing Apparatus
2. British Admiralty
3. Buenos Aires
BAF Bunker Adjustment Factor (freight)
(A fuel surcharge expressed as a percentage added or subtracted from the freight amount reflecting the movement in the market place price for bunkers)
BAL Balance
BALLAST Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary for the stability and safety of a ship which is not carrying cargo
BALTCON The Baltic-White Sea Conference Coal Charter
BALTIME Uniform time-charter
BAR Builders All Risks
Bar absolute Pressure in bar including atmospheric pressure
Bar gauge Pressure in bar registered on content gauge (excludes atmospheric pressure)
BAREBOAT CHTR Bareboat Charter Owners lease a specific ship and control its technical management and commercial operations only
BARECON Standard bareboat charter
Basel 1989 Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, 1989
BB 1. Back to Back
2. Bahia Blanca
3. Ballast Bonus
4. Bare Boat
5. Below Bridge
6. Break Bulk / Breaking Bulk
7. Bulbous Bow
BBB Before Breaking Bulk
BBC Bare Boat Charter
BC 1. British Columbia
2. Bulk Carrier
BC Code Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMO)

BCH Code

 Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk Code
Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
BCM Bow to Centre of Manifold
BCO Beneficial Cargo Owner
BCSN Bulk Cargo Shipping Name 
BD Bar Draught
BDC Bottom Dead Centre
BDI Both Dates Inclusive
BDN Bunker Delivery Note
BE Both Ends (load and discharge ports)
BEAM The maximum breadth of a ship
BEG Beginning
BENDS Both Ends (load and discharge ports)
BFC Baltimore Form C (charterparty)
BFI Baltic Freight Index
BGD Bagged
BHP Break Horse Power
BI 1. Both Inclusive
2. Business Interruption
BIC Bureau International des Containers (International Container Bureau)
BIFA British International Freight Association
BIFFEX Baltic International Freight Futures Index
BIMCO The Baltic and International Maritime Council
BKR Bulgarski Koraben Registar (Bulgarian Register of Shipping)
BL 1. Bale
2. Bill of Lading
3. Bleeding (wing tanks)
BLG Bulk Liquids and Gases
BLT Built
BLU Code Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers Code
Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers
BLY Barley
BM 1. Beam
2. Breadth Moulded
BMF Board Measurement Feet  =  1' x 1' x 1''
BMM British Marine Mutual
BMSR Barbados Maritime Ship Registry
BN Booking Note
BNWAS Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System
BOA Berthing On Arrival
BOB 1. Balance On Board
2. Bunker On Board
BOD Bunkers On Delivery
BOFFERS Best Offers
BOL Bill Of Lading
BOP Blow-out Preventer
BOR Bunkers On Redelivery
BOX Everyday term for container (or boxed vessel)
BP British Petroleum (company)
BPC British Phosporous Commission
BPD Barrels per day 
BPM Bridge Procedures Manual
BR Breadth
BRGDS Best Regards
BR.LD. Break Load
BRM Bridge Resource Management
BROB Bunkers Remaining On Board
BRT Brutto Register Tons
BS 1. British Standard
2. Bunker Surcharge
BSC British Shippers' Council
BSI British Standards Institute
BSS Basis
BSS 1/1 Basis 1 port to 1 port
BST 1. British Standard Time
2. British Summer Time (UTC +1)
BT Berth Terms
BTA British Tugowners Association
BTO British Trust for Ornithology
BTM Bridge Team Management
BU Bushel
BUNDLING This is the assembly of pieces of cargo, secured into one manageable unit. This is a very flexible description; a rule of thumb is to present cargo at a size easily handled by a large (20 ton) fork lift truck
BUNKERS Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (originates from coal bunkers)
BV Bureau Veritas (classification society)
BW 1. Ballast Water
2. Brackish Water
BWAD Brackish Water Arrival Draft (or Draught)
BWB British Waterways Board
BWDD Brackish Water Departure Draught
BWM Convention Ballast Water Management Convention
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
BWT 1. Ballast Water Tank
2. Bleeding Wing Tanks

C

C Celsius
C&F Cost and Freight
C/C sshinC/sshinC
Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included/Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included
C/E Chief Engineer
C/N 1. Consignment Note
2. Cover Note
3. Credit Note
C/O Chief Officer
C/P Charter Party
C/X sshinC/ssheX
Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included/Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded
CAF Currency Adjusting Factor (freight)
CAMM Council of American Master Mariners
CAMP Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris
CAP 1. Capacity
2. Condition Assessment Programme
CAPP Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
CAR Construction All Risks
CARB California Air Resources Board (US)
CAS Condition Assessment Scheme
CAST Coastguard Agreement on Salvage and Towing
CBA Collective Bargaining Agreements
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBFT Cubic Feet
CBM Cubic Meter
CBP US Customs & Border Protection
CBS California Block Stowage
CBT Clean Ballast Tank
CC 1. Continuation Clause
2. Cubic Capacity
3. Cubic Centimetres
4. Customs Cleared
CCAI Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index
CCC Care Custody and Control
CCG Canadian Coast Guard
CCIRF Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
CCS China Classification Society (classification society)
CCTV Closed Circuit Television 
CCW Countryside Council for Wales
CD Customary Despatch
CDI Chemical Distribution Institute
CE TA Center Tank
CEFAS Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

CEFOR

 Sjøassurandørernes Centralforening
The Central Union of Marine Underwriters Norway
CEMS Crew Endurance Management System
CENSA Council of European and Japanese National Shipowners Association
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality (US)
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (US)
CES Coast Earth Station
CESS Committee for Expertise of Shipbuilding Specifics
CFB Cubic Feet Bale
CFC Chlorofluorocarbons
CFG Cubic Feet Grain
CFIVSAC Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee
CFM Container Flow Management
CFR 1. Code of Federal Regulations
2. Cost and Freight
CFS Container Freight Station
CFT Cubic Feet
CFU Colony Forming Unit
CG Centre of Gravity
CGA Cargo's proportion of General Average
CGL 1. Combined General Liability
2. Comprehensive General Liability Cover
CH4 Methane
CHA Competent Harbour Authority
CHABE Charterer's Agents Both Ends
CHEM Chemical
CHO Claims Handling Office
CHOPT Charterer's Option
CHRIS Chemical Hazards Response Information System
CHTRS Charterers
CIA Chemical Industry Association
CIC Concentrated Inspection Campaign

CIF

 Cost, Insurance and Freight
Seller pays all these costs to a nominated port or place of discharge
CIF&E Cost, Insurance, Freight & Exchange
CIF&I Cost, Insurance, Freight & Interest
CIFC Cost, Insurance, Freight and Commission
CIFC&I Cost, Insurance, Freight, Commission & Interest
CIM Convention Internationale Concernant le Transport des Marchandises par Chemin de Fer
CIP 1. Calling In Port
2. Carriage and Insurance Paid to
3. Carrier Initiative Programme
CIRR Commercial Interest Reference Rate
CISADA Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act 
CISG Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
CIT Chartered Institute of Transport
CJJA Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act
CL Clause
ClassNK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (classification society)
CLC Civil Liability Convention
International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969
CLEE Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage Resulting from the Exploration of Seabed Mineral Resources, 1977
CLH Charterers’ Liability to Hull
CLIA Cruise Lines International Association
CLP Container Load Plan
CM Centimetre
CMC Case Management Conference
CMI Comité Maritime International
CMN Code of Marine Navigation (Ukraine)
CMR Convention Marchandise Routiers
CMR Convention Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods by Road
CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (US)
CNED Confiscation, Nationalisation, Expropriation and Deprivation
CNR Charterers Not Reported
CO 1. Carbon Monoxide
2. Charterer's Option
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COA Contract of Affreightment
Owners agree to accept a cost per revenue ton for cargo carried on a specific number of voyages
COACP Contract Of Affreightment Charter Party
COAL-OREVOY Standard Coal and Ore Charter Party
COB Close Of Business
COBLDN Closing Of Business London
COC Certificate Of Competency
COD Cash On Delivery
COE Certificate Of Entry
COEEAB Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board (US)
COF Certificate of Fitness
COFC Container On Flat Car
COFR Certificate of Financial Responsibility (US)
COG Course over Ground
COGS Carriage of Goods by Sea
COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
COLREGs International Collision Regulations
COMBIDOC Combined Transport Document
con Control of Navigation
CONS Consumption
CONT Container
COOP Continuity of Operations Plan
COP Custom Of Port
COR Certificate Of Registry
Cospas-Sarsat Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov (Russian)
[Space System for the Search of Vessels in Distress (English)]
- Search And Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking
COT Cargo Oil Tank
COTP Captain of the Port
COTR Contracting Officer Technical Representative
COW Crude Oil Washing
COWAC Continent West Africa Conference
CP 1. Charter Party
2. Controllable Pitch
CPD Charterers Pay Dues
CPP 1. Clean Petroleum Products
2. Controllable Pitch Propeller
CPR 1. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
2. Civil Procedure Rules
3. Counter Pollution and Response Branch
CPSO Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer, MCA
CPT Carriage Paid To
CQD Customary Quick Despatch
CR 1. Carrier's Risk
2. China Corporation Register of Shipping
3. Crane
4. Current Rate
CRDIP Columbia River District including Portland
CRINE Cost Reduction in New Era
CRISTAL Contract Regarding a Supplement to Tanker Liability for Oil Pollution
CRN Crane
CRO Cancelling Returns Only
CROB Cargo Remaining On Board
CRS Croatian Register of Shipping (classification society)
CSA 1. Canada Shipping Act
2. Chamber of Shipping of America
CSC International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972
CSD Closed Shelterdecker
CSH Continuous Survey Hull
CSI Container Security Initiative
CSL Combined Single Limit
CSM 1. Container Slot Management
2. Continuous Survey Machinery
CSO Company Security Officer
CSP Customs Security Programme (EU)
CSR 1. Chech and Slovak Ship's and Industrial Register
2. Continuous Service Rate
3. Continuous Synopsis Record
CSS Code Code  Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing Code
CST 1. Centistoke
2. Central Standard Time
3. Central Storage Tank
CT Conference Terms
CTAC Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee
CTC 1. Cape Town Convention
2. Chemical Tanker Committee (Intertanko)
CTD Cradle Tween Deck
CTL Constructive Total Loss
CTO Combined Transport Operator
C-TPAT Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
CTR Container Fitted
CTSCA Chemical Tanker Sub-committee (Americas) (Intertanko)
CTUs Cargo Transport Units
CUFT Cubic Feet
CVM Contingent Valuation Methodology (US)
CVs Consecutive Voyages
CWA Clean Water Act (US)
CY 1. Container Yard
2. Cylinders
CYL Cylinder(s)
CYMEPA Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association

D

D/A 1. Days After Acceptance
2. Disbursements Account
3. Discharge Afloat
D/D 1. Days After Date
2. Delivered At Docks
DA Discharge Afloat
DAF Delivered at frontier
DAP 1. Days All Purposes (total days for loading and discharging)
2. Diammonium Phosphate (fertiliser)
DAPS Days All Purposes
DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
DAS Docking Aid System
DB Double Bottom
DBB 1. Deals Battens Boards
2. Double Bottom Ballast
DBL Double
DBL SKIN Double Skinned
DBT Double Bottom Tank
DC 1. Deratting Certificate
2. Direct Current
3. Discharge Capacity
DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government
DD 1. Daily Discharge
2. Dry Docking
DDC Destination Delivery Charge
DDO Dispatch Discharge Only
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane (pesticide)
DDU Delivered Duty Unpaid
DEC Deratting Exemption Certificate
DEF Definitely
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEL Delivery
DELY Delivery
DEM Demurrage
DEM/DES Demurrage/Despatch
DEMOLISHCON Standard Contract for the Sale of Vessels for Demolition and Recycling (BIMCO)
DEQ Delivered Ex Quay
DER Derricks
DES Delivered Ex Ship
DESP Despatch
DET Detention
DETS Details
DF Direction Finder
DFT Department for Transport
DG Dangerous Goods
DGD Dangerous Goods Division of DFT
DGN Dangerous Goods Note
DGPS Differential Global Positioning System
DHD Demurrage Half Despatch
DHDATSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on All Time Saved Both Ends
DHDWTSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends
DHS Department of Homeland Security (US)
DIC Delivered In Charge
DIMA Australian Immigration Authorities
DIS Danish International Register of Shipping
DISCH Discharge
DISPORT Discharge Port
DIST Distance
DK Deck
DKVN Vietnam Register of Shipping
DLO Dispatch Loading Only
DLOSP Dropping Last Outward Sea Pilot (Norway)
DLRS Dollars
DLY Daily
DM Depth Moulded
DMA Dynamic Management Area
DMLC Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance
DMT Danish Marine Technology
DNC Digital Nautical Chart
DNRSAOCLONL Discountless and Non-Returnable Ship and/or Cargo Lost or Not Lost
DNV Det norske Veritas (Norwegian classification society)
DO Diesel Oil
DOC 1. Document Of Compliance
2. Drop-Off Charge (containers)
DOE (NI) Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland
DOLSP Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway)
DOP Dropping Outward Pilot
DOS Declaration Of Security
DOSP Dropping Outward Sea Pilot
DOT Department Of Transport
DP 1. Direct Port
2. Dynamic Positioning

DPA

 1. Deepwater Port Act (US)
2. Designated Person Ashore
DPP Dirty Petroleum Products
DPRK Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [North Korea]
DPT Depth
DR Dead Reckoning
DRAFT Depth to which a ship is immersed in water. The depth varies according to the design of the ship and will be greater or lesser depending not only on the weight of the ship and everything on board, but also on the density of the water in which the ship is lying
DRC Daily Running Cost
DRI Direct Reduced Iron
DRK Derrick
DS Days
DSC Digital Selective Calling
DSHA Dangerous Substance in Harbour Area (Regulations)
DSV Diving Support Vessel
DT Deep Tank
DTI Department of Trade and Industry (UK)
DUNNAGE Materials of various types, often timber or matting, placed among the cargo for separation, and hence protection from damage, for ventilation and, in the case of certain cargoes, to provide space in which the forks of a lift truck may be inserted
DW Deadweight
DWAT Deadweight All Told
DWCC Deadweight Cargo Capacity
DWCT Deadweight Cargo Tonnage
DWP Deepwater Port
DWT Deadweight Tons
DYNPOS Dynamic Positioning
DYS Days

E

E&OE Errors and Omissions Excepted
E0 Unattended Engine Room
EA Environment Agency
EAON Except As Otherwise Noted
EAs Environmental Assessments
EASC European Air Shippers' Council
EB Eastbound
EBL Electronic Bearing Line

EC

 1. East Coast
2. European Commission
ECA 1. Emission Control Area
2. Early Case Assessment
3. Emergency Controlling Authority
ECASBA European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents
ECCA East Coast Central America
ECDIS Electronic Chart Display and Information System
ECJ European Court of Justice
ECR Engine Control Room
ECS Electronic Chart System
ECSA 1. East Coast South America
2. European Community Shipowners' Association
ECSI Export Cargo Shipping Instructions
ECTU European Council of Transport Users
ECUK East Coast United Kingdom
ECV Estimated Completed Value
EDH Efficient Deck Hand
EDI Electronic Data Interchange
EDIFACT Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport
EDP Early Departure Procedure
EE Errors Excepted
EEA European Economic Area
EEBD Emergency Escape Breathing Device
EED Energy Exploration and Development
EEDI Energy Efficiency Design Index
EELS Excess Energy Line Slip
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
EFT Electronic fund transfer
EG 1. Environment Group
2. For example
EGCS Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
EGE Exhaust Gas Economiser
EHC Equipment Handover Charge
EHP Effective Horse Power
EHS Environment and Heritage Service
EIAPP Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificates and technical files
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EITC European Inland Transport Council
EIU Even If Used
ELAA European Liner Affairs Association
ELO Environment Liaison Officer
ELSA Emergency Life Saving Apparatus
ELVENT Electric Ventilation
EMF Electromotive Force
EML Estimated Maximum Loss
EmS Emergency Schedule
EMSA European Maritime Safety Agency
EN English Nature
ENC Electronic Navigational Chart
ENG Engine
e-NOA Electronic Notice of Arrival
e-NOA/D Electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure
ENS Electronic Navigation Systems
EOP End Of Passage
EOSP End Of Sea Passage
EPA Environmental Protection Agency (US)
EPC Regs Offshore Installation (Emergency Pollution Control) Regulations
EPIRBs Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons
ER Engine Room
ERG Emergency Response Guidebook
ERRV Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels
ESC European Shippers' Council
ESD 1. Echo Sounder
2. Emergency Shut Down
ESM Environmentally Sound Management
ESPO European Sea Ports Organisation
E-SSM Electronic Ship Supply Management
EST Estimated
EST WT Estimated Weight

ETA

 1. Estimated Time of Arrival
2. Expected Time of Arrival
ETB Expected Time of Berthing
ETC 1. Estimated Time of Completion
2. Expected Time of Completion
ETCD Expected Time of Completion & Departure
ETD Expected Time of Departure
ETH Ethylene
ETR Expected Time of Readiness
ETS 1. Expected Time of Sailing
2. Emission Trading Scheme Allowances Clause for Time Charter
ETV Emergency Towing Vessel
EU European Union
EU ETS European Union Emissions Trading System
EWS Early Warning System
EXCL Exclusive
EXP Expected
EXW Ex Works

F

F&CC Full And Complete Cargo
F&D Freight & Demurrage
F.DESP Free Despatch
F.DIS Free Discharge
F/N Fixing Note
FA Free Alongside
FAA Free of All Average
FAC 1. Fast As Can
2. Forwarding Agent's Commission
FACCOP Fast As Can, Custom Of Port
FAF Fuel Adjustment Factor
FAK Freight All Kinds
FAL Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic
FALCA Fast And Low Cost Arbitration
FALs Fully Automatic Locks
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FAOP Full Ahead On Passage
FAQ Fair Average Quality
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Seller delivers goods to appropriate dock or terminal at port of embarkation and buyer covers costs and risks of loading
FBL FIATA Bill of Lading
FC 1. Free of Capture
2. Fund Convention
FC&S Free of Capture & Seizure
FCA Free Carrier
FCAP Fixed Cost Arbitration Procedure
FCAR Free of Claim for Accident Reported
FCC 1. Federal Communications Commission
2. First Class Charterers
FCL Full Container Load
FCO Foreign and Commonwealth Office
FCR Forwarder's Certificate of Receipt
FCS Free of Capture and Seizure
FCT Forwarder's Certificate of Transport
FCV Final Completed Value
FD 1. Forced Draught
2. Free Despatch
3. Free Discharge (cost)
FD&D Freight, Demurrage and Defence
FDD Freight Demurrage Deadfreight
FDEDANRSAOCLONL Freight Deemed Earned Discountless & Non-Refundable Ship And Or Cargo Lost Or Not Lost
FDIS Free Discharge
FEED Front End Engineering and Design
FEFC Far East Freight Conference
FEMAS Federation of European Maritime Associations of Surveyors and Consultants
FEPA Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (UK)
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (US)
FERIT Far East Regional Investigation Team
FERTS Fertilizers
FEU Forty-foot Equivalent Unit
Forty foot container equivalency unit Standard 40' Container
FFA 1. Fire Fighting Appliances
2. Free From Alongside
3. Free From Average
4. Freight Forward Agreements
FFI FIATA Forwarding Instructions
FFO Fixed and floating objects
FGA Free of General Average
FHEX Fridays and Holidays Excluded (muslim countries)
FHINC Fridays and Holidays Included (muslim countries)
FI Free In
FIA Full interest Admitted
FIATA International Federation of Forwarding Agents Associations
FIB 1. Free Into Barge
2. Free Into Bunker
FIC Focused Inspection Campaign
FIFI Fire Fighting
FILO 1. First In Last Out
2. Free In Liner Out
Seafreight with which the shipper pays load costs and the carrier pays for discharge costs
FILTD Free In Liner Terms Discharge
FIO Free In and Out
Freight booked FIO includes the sea freight, but no loading/discharging costs, i.e. the charterer pays for cost of loading and discharging cargo
FIOLS Free In and Out, Lashed, Secured
FIOLS&D Free In and Out, Lashed, Secured and Dunnaged
FIOS Free In and Out Stowed
As per FIO, but includes stowage costs
FIOSLSD Free In/Out Stowed, Lashed, Secured and Dunnaged
As per FIO, but includes cost of lashing securing and dunnaging cargo to Masters satisfaction
FIOST Free In and Out Stowed and Trimmed
Charterer pays for cost of loading/discharging cargo, including stowage and trimming
FIOT Free In and Out Trimmed
As per FIOS but includes trimming the leveling of bulk cargoes
FIPS Federal Information Processing Standard
FIT 1. Free In Trimmed
2. Free In Truck
FIW Free In Wagon
FIXING Chartering a Vessel
FIXTURE Agreement of contract for transportation
FLT 1. Fork Lift Truck
2. Full Liner Terms
Shipowner pays to load and discharge the cargo
FLWS Follows
FM From
FMC Federal Maritime Commission (US)
FMP Flow Moisture Point
FMS Fathoms (= 6 feet)
FO 1. Firm Offer
2. For Orders
3. Free Out
4. Free Overside
5. Fuel Oil
FOB Free On Board
Seller sees the goods "over the ship's rail" on to the ship which is arranged and paid for by the buyer
FOB'S Free On Board Charges
FOC 1. Flag Of Convenience
2. Free On Car
FOD Free on Damage
FOFFER Firm Offer
FOG For Our Guidance
FONASBA The Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents
FONSIs Findings of No Significant Impact
FOQ Free On Quay
FOR Free On Rail
FORCE MAJEURE Clause limiting responsibilities of the charterers, shippers and receivers due to events beyond their control
FOS Fuel Oil Surcharge
FOSC Federal On Scene Co-ordinator (US)
FOSFA Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations
FOT 1. Free On Truck
2. Fuel Oil Tank
FOW 1. First Open Water
2. Free On Wagon
3. Free On Wharf
FPA Free Of Particular Average
FPD Fall Preventer Device 
FPDSO Floating Production, Drilling, Storage and Offloading
FPS Floating Production Systems
FPSO Floating Production, Storage and Offloading
FPT Fore Peak Tank
FPU Floating Production Unit
FR&CC Free of Riot and Civil Commotion
FR.WA. Fresh Water
FRCP Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Free Ex Ins Free of any Extra Insurance (owners)
FREE OUT Free of discharge costs to Owners
FRF French Francs (formerly)
FRG Federal Repulic of Germany
FROF Fire Risk On Freight

FRP

 1. Federal Response Plan (US)
2. Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic
FRS Fisheries Research Services
FRT Freight
FSA 1. Financial Services Authority
2. Food Standards Agency
3. Formal Safety Assessment
FSAS Food Standards Agency Scotland
FSO Floating Storage and Offloading
FSRU Floating Storage and Regasification Unit
FSU Floating Storage Unit
FT 1. Feet (Foot)
FTD Fitted
FTW Free Trade Wharf
FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC (Text with EEA relevance)
FUND International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971
FW Fresh Water
FWA Fresh Water Allowance
FWAD Fresh Water Arrival Draught (Draft)
FWDD Fresh Water Departure Draught (Draft)
FWE Finished With Engine
FWPCA Federal Water Pollution Control Act (US)
FWS Fish and Wildlife Service (US)
FYG For Your Guidance
FYI For Your Information
FYT Follow Your Telex

G

G Grain (cargo capacity)
G/B Grain/Bales
GA 1. General Arrangement
2. General Average
GA/(ARB) General Average / (Arbitration)
GAC Gulf Agency Company
GAFTA The Grain and Feed Trade Association
GAO United States Government Accountability Office
GA(P) General Arrangement (Plan)
GAR Geographical Area of Responsibility (Canada)
GASBEND Good And Safe (port) Both Ends
GASVOY Gas Voyage Charter Party
GATT General Agreement on Tariff and Trade
GBP United Kingdom Pound
GBS Gravity Based Structure
gCO2eq/MJ GHG emissions in grams (g) of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (eq) established on a well-to-wake basis, per megajoule (MJ)
GD Geared
GD/GD Gdynia/Gdansk
GDS Government Decontamination Service
GEF Global Environmental Fund (IMF)
GENCOA Standard Contract of Affreightment for Dry Bulk Cargoes (BIMCO)
GENCON Uniform General Charter
GENORECON General Ore Charter Party
GENS 1. General Cargo
2. Generals
GENTIME General Time Charter Party
GEOROT Geographical Rotation
GESAMP Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution
G-H 1. Ghent-Hamburg (range)
2. Gibraltar-Hamburg
GHG Greenhouse gases
GIB Gibraltar
GICW Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway
GL 1. Gearless
2. Germanisher Lloyd (classification society)
GLESS Gearless
GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System
GLR German Liner Replacement
GLS Gearless
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Greenwich Meridian Time)
GN Grain (capacity)
GNCN Gencon
Standard BIMCO charter party form
GNN Government News Network
GNS German North Sea
GO 1. Gas Oil
2. Government Office
GoAT Gulf of Aden Transit
GOC General Operator Certificate
GoG Gulf of Guinea 
GP General Purpose
GPS Global Positioning System
GPU Generator Protection Unit
GR Grain
GR/BL Grain/Bale
GRAINCON Standard Grain Voyage Charter Party
GRAINVOY Grain Voyage Charter Party
GRD Geared
GRI General Rate Increase
GRT Gross Registered Tonnage
GSAAAAB Good Safe Always Afloat Always Accessible Berth
GSB Good Safe Berth
GSBAA Good and Safe Berth Always Afloat
GSP Good Safe Port
GST Goods & Services Tax

GT

 1. Greenwich Time
2. Gross Tonnage
GTEE Guarantee
GW 1. Gale Warning
2.  Gross Weight

H

H&M Hull and Machinery
H/H Hold/Hatch
H/M Hull and Machinery
HA Hatch
HARTS Harbour Craft Transponder System
HAT Highest Astronomical Tide
HAVEP Harmonized Verification Programme
HBF Harmless Bulk Fertiliser
HBI Hot briquetted iron
HCB Hydrocrack Bottoms
HCFC Hydro-Chlorofluorocarbons
HD 1. Half Despatch
2. Per Hatch per Day
HDL Hatch Delivery
HDLTSBENDS Half Despatch Lay Time Saved Both Ends
HDWTS 1. Half Demurrage Weather Time Saved
2. Half Dispatch Working Time Saved
HEAP Human Element Analyzing Process
HELDK Helicopter Deck
HELMEPA Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association
HES Humber Estuary Services
HF Half
HFO Heavy Fuel Oil
HG Heavy Grain
HGO Heavy Grade Oil
H-H Harve-Hamburg
HHDW Heavy Handy Deadweight (scrap)
HHDWS Heavy Handy Deadweight Scrap
HHW Higher High Water
HHWI Higher High Water Interval
HHWL Highest High Water Level
HL Heavy Lift
HLA Heavy Lift Additional
HLW Higher Low Water
HLWI Higher Low Water Interval
HMB Heavy Motor Blocks
HMBi Hot moulded briquetted iron
HMCG Her Majesty's Coastguard
HMS 1. Heavy Metal Scraps
2. Her Majesty's Ships
HNS Hazardous and Noxious Substances
HNS Convention International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996
HNSRT Hazardous and Noxious Substance Response Team
HO Hold
HO/HA Hold/Hatch
HP Horse Power
HPA Health Protection Agency
HPHT High Pressure Formations
HPS Health Protection Scotland
HR Hour
HRA High Risk Areas 
HRDS Hampton Roads (New York)
HRS 1. Hellenic Register of Shipping (classification society)
2. Hours
HS Harmful Substances
HSAS Homeland Security Advisory System
HSC Code International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft
HSD High Speed Diesel
HSE Health and Safety Executive
HSMEP Humber Serious Marine Emergency Plan
HSPD Homeland Security Presidential Directive
HSS Heavy grains, Soyas and Sorghums
HSSC Harmonized System of Surveys and Certification
HSWA Health and Safety at Work Act
HT Height
HTS High Tensile Steel
H-TYPE Hakodate (vessel) Type
HV Heavy
HVF Heavy Fuel
HVFL Heavy Fuel
HW High Water
HWI High Water Interval
HWLI High Water Lunitidal Interval
HWM High Water Mark
HWN High Water Neaps
HWONT High Water Ordinary Neap Tide
HWOST High Water Ordinary Spring Tide
HWS High Water Spring
HWT High Water Time

I

I.W.L. Institute Warranty Limits
IACS International Association of Classification Societies
IADC International Association of Drilling Contractors
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
IAF Inflation Adjustment Factor
IAFS International Anti-Fouling Certificate
IALA International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
IAMSAR International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
IAPH International Association of Ports and Harbours
IAPP International Air Pollution Prevention
IAPPC International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate
IAS International Advisory Services
IBC Code International Bulk Carrier Code
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
IBF International Bargaining Forum
IBIA International Bunker Industry Association Ltd
IBNR Incurred But Not Reported
IBOC Institute Bulk Oil Clauses
IBS Isthmus Bureau of Shipping
ICA Inter Club Agreement
ICB International Carrier Bond
ICBR Institute Clauses for Builders Risks

ICC

 1. Institute Cargo Clauses
2. International Chamber of Commerce
ICJ International Court of Justice
ICOB Insurance Conduct of Business
ICRR Increased Costs of Repair and Replacement

ICS

 1. Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
2. International Chamber of Shipping
ICT Information and Communication Technology
ICW In Connection With
IDL International Date Line
IFCA Iran Freedom And Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012
IFF Institute of Freight Forwarders
IFO Intermediate Fuel Oil
IFP Interim Fuel Participation factor
IG International Group
IGA International Group Agreement
IGC Code International Gas Carrier Code
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk
IGS Inert Gas System
IHC International Hull Clauses
IHM Inventory of Hazardous Materials
IHO International Hydrographic Organisation
IHP Indicated Horse Power
IHR International Health Regulations (WHO)
IIP International Ice Patrol
ILA International Longshoremens Association
ILC International Law Commission
ILO International Labour Organization
ILOHC In Lieu Of Hold Cleaning
IMB International Maritime Bureau
IMSBC Code International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code
IMCA International Marine Contractors Association
IMCO Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization
IMD Insurance mediation
IMDG Code International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
IMF International Monetary Fund
IMFO International Maritime Fumigation Organization
IMGS International Medical Guide for Ships
IMHH Industry Mutual Hold Harmless Scheme
IMIC Institute Mortgagees Interest Clauses
IMO International Maritime Organization
IMOSAR IMO Search and Rescue manual
IMPA International Marine Purchasing Association
IND Indication
INF Code Irradiated Nuclear Fuels Code
International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships
INL International Navigation Limits
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organisation
INS Information Service
INSA Indian National Shipowners' Association
INSP 1. Inspection
2. Inspector
INTERCARGO International Association of Dry Cargo Owners
INTERCOA Tanker Contract of Affreightment
INTERCONSEC Tanker Consecutive Voyage Clauses
INTERMEPA International Marine Environment Protection Association
INTERMODAL Carriage of a commodity by different modes of transport, i.e. sea, road, rail and air within a single journey
INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization
INTERTANKO International Association of Independent Tanker Owners
INTERVENTION International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969
INV Invoice
IOPC Fund International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
IOPCF International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
IOPP International Oil Pollution Prevention
IOPPC International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
IOR Indian Ocean Region
IOT Immingham Oil Terminal
IP Institute of Petroleum
IPIECA International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association
IPSP International Port Security Program
IRAC Immediate Response Action Completion
IRISL Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines 
IRO In Respect Of
IRS 1. Indian Register of Shipping (classification society)
2. Internal Revenue Service (US)
ISA Iran Sanctions Act 
ISC Information Sharing Centre
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ISF International Shipping Federation
ISGOTT International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals
ISM International Safety Management
ISM Code International Safety Management Code
International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention
ISMA International Ship Managers Association
ISO International Organisation for Standardisation
ISP International Standby Practices
ISPM International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures
ISPP International Sewage Pollution Prevention
ISPS Code International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities
ISSC International Ship Security Certificate
ISU International Salvage Union
IT Information Technology
ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations (US)
ITB Integrated tug and barge unit
ITCF Institute Time Clauses Freight
ITCH Institute Time Clauses Hulls
ITF International Transport Workers' Federation
ITIC International Transport Intermediaries' Club
ITLOS UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
ITOPF International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
IU If Used
IUA International Underwriting Association
IUATUTC If Used, Actual Time Used To Count
IUHTAUTC If Used, Half Time Actually To Count
IUMI International Union of Marine Insurers
IV Increased Value
IVCH Institute Voyage Clauses Hulls
IWL Institute Warranty Limits
IWO In Way Of
IWT Internal Waterway Transport

J

J&WO Jettison & Wash Overboard
JH Joint Hull
JIT Just In Time
JLC Joint Liability Committee
JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee
JOA Joint Operating Agreement
JRC Joint Rig Committee (London Market)
JSA Japanese Shipowners' Association
JST Japan Standard Time

K

KD Knocked Down
KFK Knock-for-Knock
Kg Kilogram
KG Kommanditgesellschaft
KM Knowledge Management
KMC (cargo refrigerating system)
KN Knot
KR Korean Register of Shipping (classification society)
KT 1. Kiloton
2. Knot
KTM Keel To top of Mast
KTS Knots
KVA Kilovolt-Ampere
KW Kilowatt

L

L&D Loss and Damage
L.S. Lump Sum
L.T. Liner Terms
L/C Layday Cancelling date
L/D Loading/Discharging
LA 1. Letter of Authority
2. Los Angeles
LAB Lloyd's Average Bond
LAKES Great Lakes (USA/Canada)
LANE METER A method of measuring the space capacity of Ro/Ro ships whereby each unit of space (Linear Meter) is represented by an area of deck 1.0 meter in length x 2.0 meters in width
LASH 1. Lighter Aboard Ship
a vessel that loads small barges direct from the water
2. To hold goods in position by use of Ropes, Wires, Chains or Straps etc.
LAT 1. Latitude
2. Lowest Astronomical Tide
LAY/CAN Laydays/Cancelling
LAYCAN Layday Cancelling date
LB Long Beach
LBP Length Between Perpendiculars
LC 1. Letter of Credit
2. Loading Capacity
3. London Convention
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972
LCL Less than Container Load
LCM Least Common Multiple
LCR Lowest Current Rate
LD Load
LD50 Average Lethal Dose
LDD Loaded
LDF Light Distillate Feedstock
LDG/UNLDG Loading/Unloading
LDN Laden
LDPT Load Port
LEL Lower Explosive Limit
LES Land Earth Station
LFL Lower Flammable Limit
LGT Lengthened
LHW Low High Water
LHWCA Longshore and Harbor Workers´ Compensation Act
LHWI Low High Water Interval
LIFO Liner In Free Out
LISCR Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry
LL International Convention on Load-Lines, 1966
LLA Long Length Additional
LLMC Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976
LLW Lower Low Water
LLWI Lower Low Water Interval
LLWL Lowest Low Water Level
LM Lane Metre
LMAA London Maritime Arbitrators´ Association
LMDRC London Master Drilling Rig Contract
LME London Metal Exchange
LMIS Lloyd's Maritime Information Services Division (company)
LMLN Lloyd's Maritime Law Newsletter
LMOMUF London Market Offshore Mobile Unit Form
LMP London Market Principles
LMRP Lower Marine Riser Package
LMRWSAC Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee
LMSS Land Mobile Satellite Service
LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
LO Lubricating Oil
LO HO Lower Hold
LO/LO Lift On/Lift Off
LOA Length Overall
LOF Lloyd´s Open Form (salvage agreement)
LOGIC Leading Oil and Gas Industry Competitiveness
LOH Loss of Hire
LOI Letter of Indemnity
LOLO Lift On Lift Off
London Convention Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972
LOP 1. Line Of Position 
2. Loss of Production
LOPIW Loss of Production Income Wording
LOT Load-on-Top
LOU Letter of undertaking
LOW Last Open Water
LPG Liquified Petroleum Gas
LPS Lump Sum
LQS Lubricant Quality Scan
LR 1. Large Range
2. Lloyd's Register of Shipping (classification society)
LRF Local Resilience Forum
LRIT Long Range Identification and Tracking
LS Lump Sum
LS&D Landing, Storage and Delivery Charge
LSA Life Saving Appliances
LSD Lashed Secured Dunnage
LSDBF London Standard Drilling Barge Form
LSP Lashing at Sea Project
LSPF London Standard Platform Form
LSSA Lloyd's Standard Salvage and Arbitration Clauses
LSSO London P&I Club
LSW 244 London Market Excess Claims Made Policy
LT 1. Liner Terms
2. Local Time
3. Long Ton
4. Lumber Tropical (loadline)
LTA Long Term Agreements
LTF Lumber Tropical Fresh water (loadline)
LTGE Lighterage
LTI Lost Time Indicator
LTIF Lost Time Injury Frequency
LTONS Long Tons
LUMPS Lumpsum
LW 1. Low Water
2. Lumber Winter (loadline)
LWL 1. Load Water Line
2. Low Water Level
LWM Low Water Marks
LWNA Lumber Winter North Atlantic load line
LWONT Low Water Ordinary Neap Tide
LWOST Low Water Ordinary Spring Tide
LYCN Laycan (layday cancelling date)

M

M Metre(s)
M&A Mergers and acquisitions
M/M Minimum/Maximum
M/R Mate's Receipt
M/T 1. Metric Tons
2. Motor Tanker
M/V Motor Vessel
M2 Square metre(s)
M3 Cubic metre(s)
MACC Military Aid to the Civil Community
MACOSH Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (US)
MAIB Marine Accident Investigation Branch
MAPRT Media and Public Relations Team
MARAD Maritime Administration (US)
MARIN Maritime Research Institute Netherlands
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
MARS International Marine Accident Reporting Scheme
MARSIG Engineers Society for Maritime Safety Technique & Management
MASFO Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (US)
MATs Manual Automatic Twistlocks
Mayday The international distress signal (spoken) 
MB Merchant Broker
MBL Minimum Breaking Load
MBM 1. Market-Based Measures
2. Meat and Bone Meal
MBT Motorblocks Turnings
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act (US)
MCA Maritime and Coastguard Agency
MCEU Marine Consents and Environment Unit of Defra
MCL Marine Cylinder Lubricant
MCMP Management Committee on Marine Pollution
MCO 1. Marine Casualty Officer (MCA)
2. Maximum Continuous Output
MCR Maximum Continuous Rating
MCV Maritime Crew Visa
MDA Maritime Domain Awareness
MDO Marine Diesel Oil
MDWT Metric DeadWeight Tons
MED 1. Marine Environment Division of Defra
2. Mediterranean
MEES Middle East Emergency Surcharge
MEG Mono-ethylene glycol
MEI Mandatory Expanded Inspection
MEIR Marine Emergencies Information Room
MEPC Marine Environment Protection Committee (IMO)
MERCOM Maritime Emergency Response Commander (Australia)
MERSAR Merchant Ship Search and Rescue manual
MES Mobile Earth Station
MFA Marine Fisheries Agency
MFD Marine and Fisheries Directorate of Defra
MFMS Mass Flow Metering System 
MFO Marine Fuel Oil
MGN Marine Guidance Note
MGO Marine Gas Oil
MGW Maximum Gross Weight
MHHW Mean Higher High Water
MHHWS Mean Higher High Water Spring
MHLW Mean Higher Low Water
MHP Methane Hydrate Pellet
MHW Mean High Water
MHWI Mean High Water Interval
MHWN Mean High Water Neaps
MHWS Mean High Water Springs
MHz MegaHertZ
MID Maritime Identification Digits
MIN/MAX Minimum/Maximum (cargo quantity)
MIRG Maritime Incident Response Group
MITI Ministry of International Trade & Industry
MKT Market
MLB Mini Land Bridge
MLC Maritime Labour Convention 2006
MLD Moulded
MLHW Mean Lower High Water
MLLW Mean Lower Low Water
MLLWS Mean Lower Low Water Spring
MLW Mean Low Water
MLWI Mean Low Water lunitidal Interval
MLWN Mean Low Water Neaps
MLWS Mean Low Water Springs
MM Millimetre(s)
MMC Merchant Mariner Credential
MMD Merchant Mariner Document
MMS Minerals Management Service
MMSEA Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act (US)
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MMSS Maritime Mobile Satellite Service
MO Managing Owner
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOB Man Over Board
MOD Ministry of Defence
MODU Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit
MOL More Or Less
MOLCHOP More Or Less Charterer's Option
MOLCHOPT More Or Less Charterer's Option
MOLCO More Or Less Charterer's Option
MOLOO More Or Less Owner's Option
MOM Moment
MON Monitors (fire)
MOP Muriate Of Potash
MOS Months
MOT 1. Ministry Of Transport
2. Monthly OverTime
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MPA Maritime and Port Authority
MPP Multi Purpose
MPRSA Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (US)
MR Medium Range
MRC Marine Response Centre
MRGO Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet
MRRS Manual Remote Release System
MRV Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (EU and UK)
MS Motor Ship
MSA 1. Maritime Safety Agency
2. Merchant Shipping Act
MSB Main Switch Board
MSC Maritime Safety Committee (IMO)
MSDA Milford Sound Development Authority (New Zealand)
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MSG Message
MSI Maritime Safety Information
MSIC Maritime Security Identification Card
MSL Mean Sea Level
MSMC Minimum Safe Manning Certificate
MSN Merchant Shipping Notice
MSP Maritime Security Program
MSR Mandatory Ship Reporting
MSST Maritime Safety and Security Team
MT 1. Empty
2. Metric Ton (i.e. 1,000 kilos / 2204.6lbs)
3. Motor Tanker
MTBE Metyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
MTC Moment to change Trim per Centimetre
MTD Multimodal Transport Document
MTHS Months
MTL Mean Tide Level
MTO Multimodal Transport Operator
MTONS Metric Tons
MTSA Maritime Transportation Security Act, 2002 (US)
MTSCP Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program
MTSNAC Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (US)
MV Motor Vessel
MWS Marine Warranty Surveyor

N

N

 1. And
2. Newton(s)
N.E. Not East of
N.N. Not North of
N.S. Not South of
N.W. Not West of
N/T New Terms
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NAABSA Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground
NAS Navigation Assistance Service
NB 1. New Building
2. Northbound
NCAD Notice of Cancellation at Anniversary Date
NCB National Cargo Bureau
NCIP National Container Inspection Program (US)
NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines
NCP National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (US)
NCS Norwegian Continental Shelf
NCSA North Coast South America
NCV No Commercial Value
NDT Non-Destructive Testing
NDZ No Discharge Zones
NE Not East (of)
NEOBIG Not East Of But Including Greece
NEP/S Not Elsewhere Provided/Stated
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act (US)
NEPIA North of England P&I Association
NEWCI Not East of / West Coast Italy
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NGH Natural gas hydrate
NGHP Natural gas hydrate pellets
NGL Natural Gas Liquid
NGO Non Governmental Organisation
NHS National Health Service
NIMA National Imagery and Mapping Agency
NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
NIS Norwegian International Shipsregister
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (classification society)
NKK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (classification society)
NLS Noxious Liquid Substances
NLSC Noxious Liquid Substances Certificate
NMD Norwegian Maritime Directorate
NMEA National Marine Electronics Association
NMERA National Maritime Emergency Response Arrangement (Australia)
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NMIP Norwegian Marine Insurance Plan
NMSAC National Maritime Security Advisory Committee
NMSP National Maritime Security Programme (UK)
NNSA National Nuclear Security Administration (US)
NNSS Navy Navigation Satellite System
NO Number
NO/NO2/NOx Nitrogen Oxide
NOA 1. Not Overaged
2. Notice of Arrival
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US)
NOBOB No Ballast On Board
NOE 1. Notice of Exception
2. Not Otherwise Enumerated
NOHP Not Otherwise Herein Provided
NOI Notice of Intent
NOIBN 1. Not Otherwise Indexed By Number
2. Not Otherwise Indicated By Name
NOKUS-company Norsk Kontrollert Utenlandsk Selskap i lavskatteland (Norwegian)
NOLA New Orleans (Louisiana, US)
NOMA Nordic Offshore Market Agreement
NON MECH Non mechanical
NOP Not Otherwise Provided
NOR Notice of Readiness
NORA Notice Of Readiness Accepted
NORGRAIN North American Grain Charterparty
NORT Notice Of Readiness Tendered
NOS 1. Not Otherwise Specified
2. Numbers
NOSAC National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee
NOT Notice of Termination
NOTAM Notice to Airmen
NPA National Petroleum Association
NPD Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (US) 
NPFC National Pollution Funds Center (US)
NPK Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (fertiliser)
NPL Norwegian Policy Limits
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NR No Risk
NRAD No Risk After Discharge
NRC National Research Council (US)
NRDA Natural Resource Damage Assessment (US)
NRT Net Registered Tonnage
NS Nuclear Ship
NSA 1. Non-Separation Agreement
2. Norwegian Shipowners' Association
NSC No Stacked Credit
NSF Norwegian Salesform
NSPF Not Specially Provided For
NT Net Tonnage
NTM Notice to Mariners
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board (US)
NTVRP Nontank Vessel Response Plans and Other Response Plan Requirements (US) 
NUBALTWOOD Baltic Wood Charter Party
NUC Not Under Command
NV Norwegian Veritas
NVMC National Vessel Movement Center
NVO Non-Vessel Operating
NVOC Non-Vessel Owning Carrier
NVOCC Non-vessel Operating Common Carrier
NWE North West Europe
NWP Nationwide Permits
NYPE New York Produce Exchange (charterparty)
NYPE ICA New York Produce Exchange Inter-Club Agreement
NYSA The New York Shipping Association
NZPHMS New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety

O

O.A. Over All
O/A Open Account
O/C 1. Open Charter
2. Ore Carrier
O3 Ozone
OA Over Aged
OBO Oil/Bulk/Ore (carrier)
OBQ On Board Quantity
OCIL Oil Casualty Insurance Limited
OCIMF Oil Companies International Marine Forum
OCM Oil Content Monitor
OCMI Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection 
OCP Over Common Point
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
OCSLA Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
OCU Operations Control Unit
OD Outside Diameter
ODM Oil Discharge Monitor
ODME Oil Discharge Monitoring Equipment
ODP Offshore Drilling Platform
ODS Ozone Depleting Substances
OECD Organization on Economic Co-Operation and Development
OEE Operators Extra Expense
OGITF Oil and Gas Industry Task Force
OGP International Association of Oil and Gas Producers
OH Off Hire
OHBC Open Hatch Bulk Carrier
OIG Office of Inspector General (US)
OIL Oil Insurance Limited
OILPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954
OILREC Oil Recovery
OIM Offshore Installation Manager
OLOA Oronite Low-Ash Additive
OMB Office of Management and Budget (US)
OMS Oceania Maritime Services Pty Limited
ONW Onwards
OO 1. Oil/Ore
2. Owner's Option
OOG Out Of Gauge
OOPS O'Brien Oil Pollution Service
OOW Officer of the Watch
OP Operator
OPA Oil Pollution Act
OPA'90 Oil Pollution Act 1990 (US)
OPEC Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
OPL Off Port Limits
OPOL 1. Offshore Pollution Liability Agreement 1974
2. Offshore Pollution Liability Association Limited
OPRC Convention International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990
OPRHNS Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances
OPS Onshore Power Supply
OPT Option
OR Owner's Risk
ORB 1. Oil Record Books
2. Owner's Risk of Breakage
ORC Owner's Risk of Chafing
ORD Owner's Risk of Damage
ORDET Owner's Risk of Deterioration
OREI Offshore Renewable Energy Installations
ORF Owner's Risk of Fire/Freezing
ORL Owner's Risk of Leakage
ORS Owner's Risk of Shifting
ORW Owner's Risk of becoming Wet
OS Ordinary Seaman
OS&D Over, Short and Damage (report)
OS/Cook Ordinary Seaman/Cook (= combined deck and catering duties)
OSB One Safe Berth
OSD 1. Open Shelter Decker
2. Oil Spill Dispersant
OSG Overseas Shipholding Group
OSH Open Shelter deck
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSLTF Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
OSP One Safe Port
OSPA 1. Oil Spill Prevention Act (US)
2. Massachusetts Oil Spill Prevention Act
OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, 1992
OSPs Operators and Service Providers
OSRA Ocean Shipping Reform Act
OSRO Oil Spill Removal Organization (US)
OST Ore Sea Transport
OSV Offshore Supply Vessel
OT 1. Oil Tight
2. On Truck
3. Overtime
OW Owners
OWS Oily Water Separator

P

P&A Procedures and Arrangements
P&C Private and Confidential
P&I Protection and Indemnity
P.P. PerPendicular
P/CGO Part Cargo
P/E Purchase Enquiry
PA 1. Particular Average
2. Pascal(s)
3. Public Address
PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PAL Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974
PANDI Protection And Indemnity
PAVIS Port and Vessel Information System
PAX Passenger Vessel
PC 1. Partcargo
2. Percent %
PCB Polychlorobiphenyls
PCC Pure Car Carrier
PCNT Panama Canal Nett Tonnage
PCO Port, Charterers' Option
PCSOPEP Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
PCT Percent %
PCTC Pure Car Truck Carrier
PD Per Diem (per day)
PDM Physical Distribution Management
PDPR Per Day Pro Rata
PDS Power Delivery Setting
PEC Pilotage Exemption Certificate
PEIS Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
PER/DRF Permissible Draught
PF Power Factor
PFD Personal Flotation Device 
PFSO Port Facility Security Officer
PG Persian Gulf
PGF Poincaré Gold Franc
PGH Per Geard Hatch
PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (US)
PHPD Per Hatch Per Day
PI Protection and Indemnity
PIBSA Polyisobutenyl Succinic Anhydride
PIC Person In Charge
PIOPIC P&I Oil Pollution Indemnity Clause
PL Protective Location
PLANARCON Oil Spill Contingency Plan (Argentina)
PLATO Pollution Agreement amongst Tanker Owners
PLB Personal Locator Beacon
PLC Public limited company (UK)
PLS Please
PLT Per Long Ton
PLTC'S Port Liner Term Charges
PM Particulate Matter
PMA Permanent Means of Access
PMQS Provided Minimum Quantity Supplied
PMS Plan Maintenance System
PMSC Port Marine Safety Code
PNG Papua New Guinea
PoA Power of Attorney
POAC Person in Overall Advisory Control
POB Pilot On Board
POLCOALVOY Coal Voyage Charter
POM Pilot Operations Manager
POR Pacific Ocean Region
PORTS Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System
POT (able) Potable water
PP 1. Picked Port(s)
2. Posted Price
3. Pre-Paid
PPE Personal Protection Equipment
PPI Policy Proof of Interest
PPM Parts Per Million
PPS Precise Positioning System
PPT Prompt
PREP Preparedness for Response Exercise Program
PROT Protocol
PRPA Puerto Rico Ports Authority
PRS Polski Rejestr Statkow (Polish Register of Shipping)
PSA The Passenger Shipping Association

PSC

 1. Port State Control
2. Production Sharing Contract
PSF Pounds per Square Foot
PSG Passing
PSI 1. Pounds per Square Inch
2. Proliferation Security Initiative
PSR Panama Shipping Register
PSSA Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
PSV Platform Supply Vessel
PT 1. Private Terms
2. Port
PTSA Port and Tanker Safety Act (US)
PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PU Pumps
PV Pressure Vacuum (valve)
PWH Per Workable Hatch
PWSA Port and Waterways Safety Act
PWSRCAC Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council
PWWD Per Weather Working Day

Q

QA Quality assurance
QC Quality Control
QI Qualified Individual (US)
QM Quarter Master
QS Quarantine Station

R

R/T Revenue Ton
R/V Round Voyage
RA Refuse Act (US)
RAC/REMPEITC Caribbean Oil Spill Response Centre
RACE Radio-Active Contamination Exclusion
RAN Royal Australian Navy
RCC Rescue Coordination Centre
RCDS Raster Chart Display System
RCO Responsible Corporate Officer Doctrine
RCP Regional Contingency Plan (US)
RCVD Received
RD Road
RDC Running Down Clause
RDF Radio Direction Finder
REC 1. Received
2 . Spain's Special Register of Vessels of the Canary Islands
ReCAAP Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
RECD Received
RED 1. Rate, Extras, Demurrage
2. Renewable Energy Directive EU
REDEL Redelivery
REDELY Redelivery
REEF Refrigerated
REMPEC Regional Oil Spill Combating Centre for the Mediterranean
RENC Regional ENC Co-ordinating Centre
Regional Electronic Navigational Chart Co-ordinating Centre
RF 1. Radio Frequency
2. Range Finder
RFI Request for Information
RFID Radio Frequency Identification
RFNBOs Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin
RG Range
RGDS Regards
RGE Range

RH

 1. Relative Humidity
2. Right Hand
RI Reinsurance
RIB Rigid Inflatable Boat 

RINA

 1. Registro Italiano Navale (Italian classification society)
2. Royal Institute of Naval Architects
RINAV Registro Internacional Naval SARL (Portuguese)
RLS Royal Lifeboat Society
RMAS Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service
RMS 1. Root Mean Square
2. Royal Mail Service
RNA Regulated Navigation Area
RNC Raster Navigational Chart
RNLI Royal National Lifeboat Institution 
RNR 1. Rate Not Reported
2. Registrul Naval Roman (Romanian Register of Shipping)
RO 1. Recognised Organisation
2. Response Organisation
Ro-Ro Roll On / Roll Off vessel
ROB Remaining On Board
ROC 1. Reference Our Cable
2. Restricted Operator Certificate
ROPAX Roll-on / Roll-off Passenger Vessels
RORO Roll On/Roll Off
ROT Reference Our Telex
ROTLX Reference Our Telex
ROV Remotely Operated (Undersea) Vehicle
ROW Removal Of Wreck
RP River Plate
RPC Remote Position Control
RPF Radio Position Finding
RPM Revolution Per Minute
RPS Revolution Per Second
RPT Repeat
RRE Responsible Reporting Entity
RRR Russian River Register (classification society)
RS 1. Radio Station
2. Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (classification society)
RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
RSS Really Simple Syndication
RT Radio Telephone
RTD Reference Test Device
RTN Return
RTW Round The World
RUSWOOD Russian Wood Charter Party (BIMCO)
RVP Reid Vapour Pressure
RVT Revert
RVTG Reverting
RX Receiver
RYC Reference Your Cable
RYT Reference Your Telex
RYTLX Reference Your Telex

S

S&P Sale & Purchase
S.THR. Side Thruster
S/N Shipping Note
S/O Shipping Order
S/R B/L Signing and Releasing Bill of Lading
SAC Special Area of Conservation
SAFCON Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
SALM Single Anchor Leg Mooring
Salvage 1989 International Salvage Convention 1989
SANR Subject to Approval, No Risk
SAR 1. Search and Rescue
2. International Convention on Search and Rescue
SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
SARSAT Search And Rescue Satellite System
SART Search And Rescue Radar Transponder
SASA Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
SATCOM Satellite Communications
SATs Semi Automatic Twistlocks
SATSHEX Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excepted
SATSHINC Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included
SB 1. Safe Berth
2. Smith Bilbrough & Co. Ltd.
3. South Bound
SBM 1. Single Buoy Mooring
2. Soya Bean Meal
SBP Singapore Bunkering Procedure
SBS 1. Safe Berth
2. Surveyed Before Shipment
SBT Segregated Ballast Tank
SC 1. Salvage Charges
2. Short Circuit
SC&S Strapped, Corded and Sealed
SCAT Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team
SCG Strategic Coordinating Group
SCIA Sea Carrier Initiative Agreement (US)
SCMA Singapore Chamber for Maritime Arbitration
SCNT Suez Canal Nett Tonnage
SCOPIC Special Compensation P&I Clause
SCP Small claims procedure
SCR Special Casualty Representative
SCSPA South Carolina State Ports Authority
SCU Salvage Control Unit
SD 1. Sailing Date
2. Short Delivery
3. Sight Draft
4. Single Decker
5. Standard Design
SDN Specially Designated Nationals 
SDR Special Drawing Rights (IMF)
SDS Single Domestic Space
SDT Detection Test System
SECA SOx Emission Control Area
SEEEC Sea Empress Environmental Evaluation Committee
SEEMP Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan
SEERAD Scottish Executive, Environment and Rural Affairs Department
SEI State Ecological Inspection
SELFDISCH SelfDischarger
SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SERS Ship Emergency Response Service
SES Senior Executive Service
SF 1. Safety Factor
2. Shear Force
3. Stowage Factor
4. Superficial Feet
SFB Summer Free Board
SFP Stowaway Focal Point
SFPA Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
SG Specific Gravity
SHEX Sundays, Holidays Excluded (Excepted)
SHINC Sundays, Holidays Included
SHMT Shipment
SHP Shaft Horse Power
Si Silicon
SI/TW Single/Tweendeck
SID 1. Seafarers' Identity Document
2. Single Deck
SIGTTO Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators
SIPBS State Inspection for Protection of the Black Sea
SIRE Ship Inspection Report Programme
SIT Stopping In Transit
SITRAME Maritime Traffic Information System Ecuador International Traffic
SL&C Shipper's Load and Count
SL&T Shipper's Load and Tally
SLA Single Line Approach
SLD Sailed
SLPTA Slop Tanks
SLSD Stowed, Lashed, Secured, Dunnaged
SLSDC Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
SLSMC St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
SMC Safety Management Certificate
SMS Safety Management System
SMT Spill Management Team (US)
SNH Scottish Natural Heritage
SNPRM Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
SNST Soonest
SO 1. Sellers' Option
2. Ship's Option
3. Shipping Order
4. System Oil
SO2/SOx Sulphur Dioxide
SOCP Ship Operations Cooperative Program
SOF Statement Of Facts
SOFAR Sound Fixing And Ranging
SOG Speed Over Ground
SOL Shipowners’ Liability
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea
SOM Swedish Official Measure
SONAR Sound Operation Navigation And Range
SOPEP Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans
SOSREP Secretary of State's Representative  for Salvage and Intervention (UK)
SOVC-MLC Statement of Voluntary Compliance Maritime Labour Certificate
SP 1. Safe Port
2. Shipping Policy Division of DfT
SPA Special Protection Area
SPAMIs Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance
SPB St. Petersburg
SPC Self-Polishing Copolymers
SPD Steamer Pays Dues
SPM 1. Saturday p.m.
2. Single Point Mooring
SPREP South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme
SRC Shoreline Response Centre
SRCC Strikes, Riots, Civil Commotions
SRCCMD Strikes, Riots, Civil Commotions, Malicious Damage
SRL Ship Repairer's Liability
SS 1. Shipside
2. Singapore Standard
3. Special Survey
4. Steam Ship
SS and C Same Sea and Country coast
SSAS Ship Security Alert System
SSB Single Side Band
SSCC Ship Sanitation Control Certificate
SSCEC Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate
SSHEX Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded
SSHINC Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included
SSI Sensitive Security Information
SSIL Sectoral Sanctions Identification List 
SSN Standard Shipping Note
SSO Ship Security Officer
SSPCA Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
SSSIs Sites of Special Scientific Interest
SSW Summer Salt Water
ST 1. Short Ton
2. Standard Time
STBY Standby
STC Said To Contain
STCW International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978
STD Standard
STDS Standards
STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
STEM Subject To Enough Merchandise (Cargo availability)
STEP Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program
STL Submerged Turret Loading
STOp Notes Scientific, Technical and Operational Guidance Notes
STOPIA Small Tanker Oil Pollution Indemnification Agreement
STS Ship to Ship 
SUA Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Navigation, 1988
SUPPLYTIME Time charter party for offshore service vessels
SURF Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, Flowlines
S-VDR Simplified Voyage Data Recorder
SWAD Salt Water Arrival Draught (Draft)
SWASH Small Waterplane Area Single Hull
SWATH Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull
SWBM Still Water Bending Moment
SWDD Salt Water Departure Draught (Draft)
SWL Safe Working Load

T

T Tonnes
T&G Tongued & Grooved (timber)
T&P Theft & Pilferage
T&S Touch & Stay
T/C Time Charter
T/O Transfer Order
T/T Telegraphic Transfer
T° (°T) Degrees true
TA 1. Tanks
2. Transatlantic
TAMP Tariff Authority for Major Ports
TAPA Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act (US)
TARV Transatlantic Roundvoyage
TBA 1. Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
2. To Be Advised
3. To Be Agreed
4. To Be Announced
TBN 1. To Be Named
2. To Be Nominated
3. Total Base Number
TBO Time Between Overhauls
TBR To Be Renamed
TBS Talk Between Ships
TBT Tributyltin
TC 1. Temperature Coefficient
2. Till Countermanded
3. Time Charter
4. Time Closing
TCE Time Charter Equivalent
TCP Time Charter Party
TCT Time Charter Trip
TD 1. Temporarily Discontinued
2. Tween Deck
TDA Temporary Danger Area
TDC Top Dead Centre
TDW 1. Total Deadweight
2. Tonnes Deadweight
TDWAT 1. Total Deadweight All Told
2. Tonnage Deadweight All Told
TE Temporarily Extinguished
TEC Tidal Energy Converter
TEEMP Tanker Energy Efficiency Management Plan
TEU Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (standard 20' container)
TEZ Temporary Exclusion Zone
TF Tropical Freshwater (loadline)
TGB Temporary Guide Base
THC Terminal Handling Charges (Cost)
THR Thruster
TIH Toxic Inhalation Hazard
TIP Taking Inward Pilot
TL 1. Total Load
2. Total Loss
TLm Toxic Limited Median
TLO Total Loss Only
TLP Tension Leg Platform
TLV Threshold Limit Value
TLX Telex
TM 1. Technical Manual
2. Thickness Measurement
TMAS Telemedical Assistance Services
TML Transportable Moisture Limit
TMSA Tanker Management Self Assessment
TOBENA To Be Named
TOCA Transfer of Class Agreement
TOFC Trailer on Flat Car
TOMK To Make
TOP Taking Outbound (Outward) Pilot
TOPIA Tanker Oil Pollution Indemnification Agreement
TOPSIL Total Loss Offshore Production Structure Insurance Limited
TOS Traffic Organisation Service
TOTOCOM Total Commission
TOVALOP Tanker Owners Voluntary Agreement Concerning Liability for Oil Pollution
TPC Tons Per Centimetre (immersion)
TPD Tons Per Day
TPEO Trunk Piston Engine Oil
TPI Tons Per Inch
TPT Transport
TR Ton Registered
TRCF Total Recordable Case Frequency
TRIA Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, 2002 (US)
TRND To Be Renamed
TS 1. Thunderstorm
2. Tons
3. Tropical Storm
TSA 1. Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement
2. Transportation Security Administration (US)
TSAC Towing Safety Advisory Committee (US)
TSCF Tanker Structure Co-operative Forum
TSP Triple superphosphate (fertiliser)
TSPP Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention Conference
TSSs Traffic Separation Schemes
TST Topside Tank
TT 1. Through Transport
2. Transit Time
3. Turbine Tanker
TTP Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures 
TTL Total
TURMEPA Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association
TVP True Vapour Pressure
TW 1. Tween (deck)
2. Typhoon Warning
TWA Time Weighted Average
TWIC Transportation Worker Identification Credential
TWRA Transpacific West-bound Rate Agreement
TX Telex

U

UBC Universal Bulk Carrier
UCC Uniform Commercial Code
UCH Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention, 2001 (UNESCO)
UCP Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits
UCR Unique Consignment Reference
UCT Universal Co-ordinated Time
UCTA Unfair Contract Terms Act, 1977
UFL Upper Flammable Limit
UGBO Underground Blowout
UHF Ultra High Frequency
UI Unified Interpretations
UK United Kingdom
UK Spill United Kingdom Spill Association
UKC 1. Under-Keel Clearance
2. United Kingdom - Continent
UKCS United Kingdom Continental Shelf
UKFO United Kingdom For Orders
UKHO United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
UKOOA United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association
ULBC Ultra Large Bulk Carrier
ULCC Ultra Large Crude Carrier
ULCS Ultra Large Containership
Ulexite Hydrated Sodium Calcium Borate Hydroxide
ULSADO Ultra Low Sulphur Auto Diesel
UMS Unmanned Machinery Space
UN United Nations
UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
UNCHE United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
UNCLOS III Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
US United States
USAC United States Atlantic Coast
USACE US Army Corps of Engineers
USC Unless Sooner Commenced
USCG United States Coast Guard
USD United States Dollar
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
USEC United States East Coast
USG United States Gulf
USNH United States North of Cape Hatteras
USNOPC United States North Pacific
USPCA Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
USSH United States South of Cape Hatteras
USVSP US Vessel Security Plans
USWC United States West Coast
UT Universal Time
UTC Universal Co-ordinated Time
UU Unless Used
UUIWCTAUTC Unless Used In Which Case Time Actually Used To Count
UW 1. Underwriting
2. Underwriter(s)

V

V/C 1. Voyage Charter
2. Vehicle Container
VA Volt-Ampere
VAL Value
VAT Value Added Tax
VDR Voyage Data Recorder
VEC Vapour Emission Control
VEG Vegetable Oil
VEGOIL Vegetable Oil
VGP Vessel General Permit
VHF Very High Frequency
VIG Vessel Inspection Guide
VIOS Vessel Insurance and Operations Surcharge
VISA Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement
VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier
VLF Very Low Frequency
VMS Voyage Management System
VOC Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCC Vessel Operating Common Carrier
VOLCOA Standard volume contract of affreightment for the transportation of bulk dry cargoes
VOP Value as in Original Policy
VOSS Vessel of Opportunity Skimming System
VOY Voyage
VPD Vessel Pays Dues
VRP Vessel Response Plan (US)
VSA Vessel Security Assessment
VSL Vessel
VSPs Vessel security plans
VTIS Vessel Traffic Information System
VTS Vessel Traffic Services

W

W 1. West
2. Winter (loadline)
W&F Water and Feed
W&I Weighing and Inspection
W&M War & Marine
W/B Waybill
W/M Weight or Measurement
W/P Without Prejudice
WA 1. Water
2. With Average
WB 1. Water Ballast
2. Waybill
3. Westbound
WBA When Berth Available
WBT Water Ballast Tank
WC West Coast
WCCON Whether Cleared Customs Or Not
WCMEX West Coast Mexico
WCO World Customs Organization
WCSA West Coast South America
WCUK West Coast United Kingdom
WCUS West Coast United States
WD Wind Direction
WEC Wave Energy Converter
WECM Warranted Existing Class Maintained
WEF With Effect From
WETREP West European Tanker Reporting System
WFA With Following Alterations
WFG Waterborne Freight Grant
WFO Worldwide freezing orders
WHD Working Hatch per Day
WHO World Health Organization
WI West Indies
WIAS Water Ingress Alarm Systems
WIBON Whether In Berth Or Not
WICCON Whether In Customs Clearance Or Not
WIFPON Whether In Free Pratique Or Not
WIG craft Wing-In-Ground craft (effect craft)
WIPON Whether In Port Or Not
WISA Western India Shippers Association
WITA Wing Tank
WL Water Line
WLTOHC Waterline To Hatch Coaming (distance)
WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction
WMED West Mediterranean
WMO World Meteorological Organization
WNA Winter North Atlantic (loadline)
WOA Warlike Operations Area
WOG 1. Without Guarantee
2. Without Guidance
Working Copy (Copy of Charter Party - not being signed and may contain unchecked errors)
WP Weather Permitting
WPA With Particular Average
WPM Wood packaging material
WRC Wreck Removal Convention
WRD Wide Range Destillate
WRIC Wire Rods In Coils
WRO War Risk Only
WS World Scale
WSC World Shipping Council
WSD World Summit on Sustainable Development
WT 1. War Time
2. Watertight
3. Wing Tank
WTD Watertight door
WTS Working Time Saved
WTSBE Working Time Saved Both Ends
WVNS Within Vessel's Natural Segregation

WW

 1. Wheather Working
2. Wilh. Wilhelmsen
3. World Wide
WWD Weather Working Days
WWDSHEX Weather Working Days, Sundays and Holidays Excepted

WWF

 1. Australian Waterside Workers' Federation
2. World Wildlife Fund
WWR When Where Ready
WWRCD When Where Ready on Completion of Discharge
WWW World Weather Watch
WWWW WIBON, WCCON, WIFPON, WIPON
WX Weather Message

X

X/C ssheX/sshinC
Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded/Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included
X/X ssheX/ssheX
Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded/Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded
XRF X-rays excite atoms

Y

Y/A York-Antwerp Rules
YAR York-Antwerp Rules
YC Your Cable
YDAY Yesterday
YR Your

Z

ZDTPs Zinc Dithiophosphates
ZST Zone Standard Time
ZT Zone Time
ZUTC GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
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