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Gossary (ID: 1744)
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Accommodation Ladder A term applied to a portable flight of steps suspended over the side of a vessel from a gangway to a point near the water, providing any easy means of access from a small boat. Accommodation Ladders are usually supplied with two platforms, one at each end. Administration The government of the state whose flag the ship in entitled to fly. Adrift Floating at random; not fastened by and kind of mooring; at the mercy of winds and currents; loose from normal anchorage. A vessel is said to be adrift when she breaks away from her moorings, warfs, and so on. Aft, After Toward the stern or the back of the vessel. Between the stern and the midship section of the vessel. Afterbody The section of the vessel aft of amidships. Aframax A tanker measuring between 80,000-120,000 in DWT terms primarily used for the carriage of crude oil. 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. Air Draft The distance from the vessel's water line to the upper most point on the vessel, usually the top of a mast or radar tower. When a vessel has to transit areas where there may be overhead obstructions (bridges, power lines, cranes, loading arms, etc.) it is vital to know what its air draft (draught) will be at the time of transit. The air draft of a vessel will vary depending upon the draft of the vessel and its trim. Aloft Above the deck. Allowed Lay Time The number of hours allowed for loading and discharging a cargo as stipulated in a Charter Party. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) A Classification Society. Under the provisions of the U.S. Load-Line Acts - it has the authority to assign load lines to vessels registered in the U.S. and other countries. Amidships (or 'Midships') The middle portion of a vessel. Anchor Handling Tug (AHT) A vessel specially designed to handle offshore oil and gas platforms and drilling rigs involving maritime towage and anchor handling situations. Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel (AHTSV) A vessel specially designed to handle offshore oil and gas platforms and drilling rigs involving maritime towage and anchor handling situations. Supply vessels are vessels engaged in supply of various cargo between shore-base and offshore installations. API The American Petroleum Institute, founded in 1919, was the first oil trade association to include all branches of the petroleum industry. API Gravity (Relative Density) A means used by the petroleum industry to express the density of petroleum liquids. API gravity is measured by a hydrometer instrument having a scale graduated in degrees API. 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. A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z B Backhaul A deviation to move cargo on the return leg of a voyage for the purpose of minimizing ballast mileage and thereby reducing transportation cost. For example, N. Europe/ E.Med./ USNH/ Carib., versus N. Europe./Carib. Ballast Seawater taken into a vessel's tanks in order to submerge the vessel to proper trim. Ballast can be taken into cargo tanks, double bottoms, fore and aft peak tanks and/or segregated ballast tanks, (SBT). Clean - Term applied to the seawater used for ballast when it is not contaminated by any oil and is carried in clean tanks. Dirty - Term applied to the sea water used for ballast when it is contaminated with the remnants or residue left in cargo tanks that previously carried crude oil or heavy persistent refined oils. Permanent - Ballast carried in ship's tanks that were designed to carry nothing else. Segregated/Dedicated - Ballast kept in tanks segregated from cargo pipes and tanks. Ballast Movement A voyage or voyage leg made without any paying cargo in a vessel's tanks. To maintain proper stability, trim, or draft, seawater is usually carried during such movements. Ballast Passage The "ballast leg" of a voyage as differentiated from the "loaded leg." Ballast Pump A pump used for filling and emptying the ballast tank. Ballast Tanks The tanks used to carry the vessel's ballast. They may be permanent, dedicated, or cargo tanks. Baltic Freight Index (BFI) BFI is a market-related index published by the Baltic Exchange, London, since January 4, 1985 with its base as 1000 points. It does not have representation for Handymax size Bulkers. The BFI index is published on all exchange working days, from London. Baltic Handy Index Baltic Handy Index was started by the Baltic Exchange, London, on January 7, 1997, with its base as 1000 points to provide representation to the Handymax size vessel. It is compiled after considering the time charter rates obtained by a Handymax vessel across 4 predefined routes. The Handymax Index is published twice weekly from London. Bareboat Charter A contract in which shipowners, virtually relinquish all responsibilities and rights in respect of their vessel for a specified period of time in return for a prearranged regular amount of hire. The charterer becomes a 'Disponent Owner' and is responsible for operating, crewing and chartering the vessel, as though he were, in fact, the owner. Barge Flat bottomed inland cargo vessel for canals and rivers, with or without propulsion for the purpose of transporting goods. Barrel The standard unit of liquid volume in the petroleum industry. It is equal to 42 U.S. gallons. Beam The width of a ship. Also called its breadth. Berth Dockage space for vessel. Sleeping quarters. Also slang for having a crew position on the vessel Bilge The lower internal part of the hull where the vertical sides meet the bottom. This term applies to both the inside and the outside of the hull. The internal space can be the lower part of a ship's hold or the engine room and serves as a drainage area where accumulated water can run into and be pumped from. Bill of Lading A B/L is the basic document between a shipper and a carrier and a shipper and consignee. It represents the contract of carriage and defines the terms and conditions of carriage. It is the final receipt from the carrier for the goods shown on it and for the condition of the goods. It describes the nature, quantity and weight of the cargo carried. It is also the document of title of the goods shown. BIMCO Baltic and International Maritime Council Bitts Cast steel heads serving as posts to which mooring lines and cables are secured on a ship. Boilers Steam generating units used aboard ship to provide steam for propulsion or for heating and other auxiliary purposes. Boiler Room Compartment in which the ship's boilers are located. Bonded Bunkers Ship's stores that can be delivered under special arrangement direct from a bonded warehouse to the vessel without payment of the custom duties. Bonded Stores Ship's stores that can be delivered under special arrangements direct from a bonded warehouse to the vessel without payment of the customs duties. Boom A general name given to a projecting spar or pole that provides an outreach for handling cargo. Bow The forward most part of a vessel. This area usually houses gear lockers and is the end where anchors and mooring equipment are located. Breadth See Beam Bridge A general term referring to that area of a vessel where the wheel house and chart room are located. It is the navigating section of a vessel. Bridge AFT Vessels with no midship house. All quarters with Bridge are contained in one superstructure at after end of vessel. Bulbous Bow A large protruding bow section designed to break water friction allowing the vessel to make better speeds. Bulk Cargo Usually a homogeneous cargo stowed in bulk, and not enclosed in any container. Bulkhead A partition in a ship that divides the interior space into various compartments in the walls of a vessel's tanks. Bum Boat A small open rowboat employed in carrying supplies for sale to vessels in a harbor. Bunkers Fuel for a vessel. The type will vary depending upon the propulsion mode of the vessel. Steamships will use a heavy fuel oil, diesels use a range of fuels from heavy to light, and gas turbines generally use kerosene. Buoy A floating object employed as an aid to mariners to mark the navigable limits of channels, their fairways, sunken dangers, isolated rocks, telegraph cables, and the like. Butterworth Tank Cleaning System A mechanical device used for the purpose of cleaning oil tanks by means of high pressure jets of hot water. The apparatus basically consists of double opposed nozzles which rotate slowly about their horizontal and vertical axis and project two streams of water through all possible angles against all inside surfaces of the space being cleaned. The tank washing machines can deliver sprays of water at various temperatures and pressures that are dictated by the type of cargoes carried and the reasons for cleaning (Quick bottom wash through gas-freeing and tank entry for hot work). A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z C Cabotage Rules relating to coastal shipping movement, which vary from country to country. Call Letters The letters assigned to the ship's radio (station). Camber The arching of the deck upward measured at the centerline in inches per foot beam. Canceling Date A stated date after which, if a vessel is not ready to load, the intending charterers have the option of canceling the charter. The passing of the canceling date leaves the owner's obligation unimpaired unless the charterer releases him. Cancellation Clause A clause in a charter party whereby the charterer reserves the right to cancel the charter if the ship fails to arrive, ready to load, on a specified date at a named port. CAP Condition Assessment Programme Continuous surveillance of the condition of a vessel. Capacity Plan A general plan or inboard profile which gives all data relating to the capacity of cargo spaces, tanks, bunkers and store-rooms. Capping Routing a vessel around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Capesize vessel Dry bulk carrier of 80,000-200,000 dwt. Cargo Hose A hose usually of 6 to 10 inches in diameter used for the transfer of cargo from ship to shore and vice versa. Cargo Plan A plan giving the quantities and description of the various grades carried in the ship's cargo tanks. Cargo Pump Pump used on tankers for discharging cargo and loading or discharging ballast. Located, at the bottom of the pump room, these pumps are usually of the common duplex type, or turbine type of which the centrifugal is the most common. Cargo Quantity Option Certificate A certificate signed by vessel and shore representatives acknowledging the amount of cargo intended to load. Catwalk A raised bridge running fore and aft from the Midship House, and also called "walkway." It affords safe passage over the pipelines and other deck obstructions. Centerline A horizontal fore-and-aft reference line for athwartship ship measurements, dividing the vessel into two symmetrical halves. Center Tanks Cargo tanks located on the vessel's centerline. Centrifugal Pump A pump consisting of a shaft to which vanes are attached and which rotates in a circular casing. Water or liquid flows into the casing near the center of the rotating shaft and is propelled outward along the vanes by centrifugal force. It escapes through a discharge pipe at the circumference of the casing. Chain Locker The compartment for storing the anchor chains, located near the bow of the ship. Charterer The company or person given the use of the vessel for the transportation of cargo or passengers for a specified time. Charter Party A document of contract, or agreement, by which a ship-owner agrees to lease, and a charterer agrees to hire, an entire ship, or all or part of the cargo space to carry cargo for an agreed sum under certain conditions. Bareboat Charter - Owner lets an unmanned ship for a long period at a rate that covers any depreciation and nominal return. Charterer mans the vessel and pays all operating expenses. To Fix A Charter - To reach final agreement on the terms of a charter party. Charter Rates - The tariff applied for chartering tonnage in a particular trade. Disponent Owner - Charterer who has sublet the vessel and is acting as the owner per the terms of the contract. Charter Types Contract of Affreightment (COA) - A service contract under which a ship owner agrees to transport a specified quantity of fuel products or specialty products, at a specified rate per ton between designated loading and discharge ports. This type contract differs from a spot or consecutive voyage charter in that no particular vessel is specified. (Rates are usually discounted below other forms of contracts.) Period Charter - Refers to consecutive voyage (C/V) exceeding four voyages, time charters (T/C) and bareboat charters. ? Note: Loose term may have other connotations. Spot (Voyage) Charter - A charter for a particular vessel to move a single cargo between specified loading port(s) and discharge port(s) in the immediate future. Contract rate (spot rate) covers total operating expenses such as port charges, bunkering, crew expenses, insurance, repairs, and canal tolls. The charterer will generally pay all cargo-related costs. Time Charter (T/C) - A charter for varying periods of time, usually between two and ten years, under which the owner hires out the vessel to the shipper fully manned, provisioned, stored and insured. The charterer is usually responsible for bunkers, port charges, canal tolls and any crew overtime connected with the cargo. The charter rate (hire) is quoted in terms of a cost per month per deadweight ton. Classification of Petroleum Classes "A-C" of petroleum are considered flammable and have a flash point of 80 F or below. Examples of these classes range from very light napthas (Class A) to most crude oils (Class C). Class D cargoes such as kerosene and heavy crudes are considered combustible and have a flash point above 80 F but below 150 F. Class cargoes are the heavier fuel oils and lubricating oils and have a flash point above 150 F. Classification Society The professional organizations which class and certify the strength and seaworthiness of vessel construction. Class and certification issued to each vessel may be required for insurance purposes. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Lloyds Register of Shipping are two of the most well known classification societies in the world today. Clean Service Tanker transportation of products lighter than residual fuels, e.g. distillates, including No. 2 Heating Oil. Clean Ship Refers to tankers that have their cargo tanks free of traces of dark persistent oils that remain after carrying crudes and heavy fuels oils. Clingage The residue that adheres to the inside surface of a container, such as a ship's tank or shore tank, after it has been emptied. Closed Gauging System A method of obtaining measurements of the tank contents without opening the tank. This may be accomplished by using automatic tank gauges or by taking measurements through a pressure/vapor lock standpipe. This type of gauging is done extensively on vessels with inert gas systems. Such a system that allows no vapors to be lost to the atmosphere is a true closed system while other types that allow minimum vapors to be lost to the atmosphere are called "restricted systems." Combination Carrier (Combis) Ships that can carry either Dry or Wet cargo. These ships, if well maintained, can switch between the dry Bulk & Tanker trades, depending on which is the more lucrative market. Cofferdam The narrow, empty space between two adjacent watertight or oiltight compartments. This space is designed to isolate the two compartments from each other and/or provide additional buoyancy. It prevents any liquid contents of one compartment from entering the other in the event of a bulkhead failure. In oil tankers, cargo spaces are usually isolated from the rest of the ship by cofferdams fitted at both ends of the tank body. Coiled Ship Refers to a tanker that is equipped with heating coils in the cargo tanks to permit the heating of cargo if necessary. Computer Based Training (CBT) Interactive teaching programmes based on the use of a personal computer. Consignee The person to whom cargo is consigned as stated on the bills of lading. Consignor The shipper of the cargo. Contamination The result from commingling of a grade of cargo with a sufficient quantity of another grade to destroy the characteristics of the cargo. Contract of Affreightment, (COA) A service contract under which a Ship owner agrees to transport a specified quantity of fuel products or specialty products, at a specified rate per ton, between designated loading and discharging ports. This type of contract differs from a spot or consecutive voyage charter in that no specific vessel is specified. (Rates are usually discounted below other forms of contracts.) Controlled Fleet All ships owned and period chartered by affiliate(s). Crosshaul Two ships on intersecting trade routes. This voyage pattern may indicate uneconomic vessel allocation. For example; Aruba/Fawley and Puerto la Cruz/New York. Crude Oil Wash (COW) A method of cleaning tanks using oil from the ship's cargo. COW is normally used when a tanker is discharging. Oil is taken from the tanks and pumped through a special line to fixed or semi-fixed tank washing machines where it is sprayed against all inside surfaces of the tank. This procedure removes any cargo which is 'clinging' to the surfaces of the tank. Cubic Capacity The inside measurement of a tanker's cargo compartments or tanks, usually expressed in barrels or cubic feet/meters. Cubic Limitation Reaching cargo tank capacity before vessel sinks to its load-line. This is usually caused by loading a light crude (crude with a high API) or clean products. Custody Transfer Measurement A measurement which furnishes quantity and quality information which can be used as the basis for a change in ownership and/or a change in responsibility for materials. Custom Trade A phrase sometimes used to describe an action or procedure that is not committed to writing, but which has been followed for a long time, and is considered 'standard practice' by practitioners in the trade. Accommodation Ladder. Gossary