Operations Vocabulary
Shipping Terms
Complete maritime shipping vocabulary reference with searchable terms used in operations, compliance, and port logistics.
Showing 25 of 392 terms
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| ABLE BODIED SEAMAN | A member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seamen |
| ABS | American Bureau of Shipping: A U.S.-based private classification,or standards setting society for merchant ships and other marine systems. |
| ACCOMODATION UNIT | Fitted with cabins and catering facilities for offshore crews. Semisubmersible accommodation units are often called 'Flotels'. |
| ADMEASUREMENT | The confirmed or official dimensions of a ship. |
| AFT | In, near, or toward the stern of the vessel. |
| AGENCY FEE | A fee charged to the ship by the ship's agent, representing payment for services while the ship was in port. Sometimes called attendance fee. |
| AHT | (Anchor-handling tug) - Moves anchors and tow drilling vessels, lighters and similar. |
| AHTS | (Anchor-handling Tug/Supply) - Combined supply and anchor-handling ship. Seismic ship: Conducts seismic surveys to map geological structures beneath the sea bed. |
| AIMS | American Institute of Merchant Shipping. |
| ALLISION | The act if striking or collision of a moving vessel against a stationary object. |
| AMC | American Maritime Congress. |
| AMIDSHIPS | In or toward the center of the ship. |
| API | American Petroleum Institute. |
| ARBITRATION | Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause usually in a charter party. |
| ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT | The document containing all particulars relating to the terms of agreement between the Master of the vessel and the crew. Sometimes called ship's articles, shipping articles. |
| ASTERN | A backward direction in the line of a vessel's fore and aft line; behind. If a vessel moves backwards it is said to move astern; opposite to ahead. |
| AT SEA | In marine insurance this phrase applies to a ship which is free from its moorings and ready to sail. |
| AUTOMATIC PILOT | An instrument designed to control automatically a vessel's steering gear so that she follows a pre-determined track through the water. |
| AWO | A merican Waterway Operators. The national trade association for the barge and towing industry and the shipyards employed in the repair and construction of these craft |
| B/d | Barrels per day (measure of petroleum production). |
| B/L | Bill of Lading |
| B/N | Booking note |
| B/P or BOP | Balance of payments. |
| BACKFREIGHT | The owners of a ship are entitled to payment as freight for merchandise returned through the fault of either the consignees or the consignors. Such payment, which is over and above the normal freight, is called backfreight. |
| BACKHAUL | A deviation to move cargo on the return leg of a voyage for the purpose of minimizing ballast mileage and thereby reducing transportation costs. |