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Chartering Terms & Definitions A-F (ID: 1868)
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Detailed below is our non-exhaustive list of some of the most frequently used abbreviations and their definitions that you may come across from time to time. A wonderful Glossary of Nautical Terms (circa. 1814) can also be found here. We hope that you will find this information both helpful and informative. Please E-mail us if you have any additional charter term abbreviations or comments or for a quotation on your next project. FIOS (FREE IN, OUT, STOWED) : It is most important to remember that the "Free" reference is viewed from the Ship Owners point of view - not the Shipper s. Some Shippers get caught out when they read the word "Free" as they incorrectly believe that it refers to them. Freight rates quoted on a FIOS basis specifically exclude all aspects relating to cargo handling operations. The ship is only responsible for expenses arising as a result of the ship calling into the port, i.e. tugs, pilots and light dues etc. Another very important consideration when booking cargo on FIOS terms is that the ship does not bear any responsibility for the speed of loading or discharging. Usually the rate agreed includes a fixed "free" period of time for loading/discharging operations, after which time a daily demurrage is incurred. Obviously this is of paramount importance where port congestion or stevedoring performance is uncertain. There are many overseas ports which fall into this category and particularly where vessel demurrage rates can vary significantly, depending on the size and type of ship nominated to undertake the particular project. LINER TERMS - GENERAL STATEMENT : Liner Terms is a very ambiguous statement and can be interpreted in a variety of ways in different ports of the world and by different Ship Owners/Agents. Personally we would prefer to clearly define the extent of responsibility when quoting on this basis. LINER TERMS HOOK / HOOK : Given that this is a notional point in chartering terms, this is best described as the Shipper/Receiver arranging for delivery/receival of cargo to/from directly under ships hook and the ship paying for the labour to stow the cargo in the vessels cargo holds, as well as on-board lashing & securing and provision of dunnage materials, and to discharge again over the ship s side. Shore based stevedoring aspects remain the responsibility of the shipper/receiver, however, there are some Owners that may incorporate these costs into their LTHH rate. Once again, ask Owners to clearly define this aspect. Wharfage charges/dues/taxes can be a contentious issue but are usually considered to be for the Shippers/Receivers account and there may also be many other statutory levies on cargo or freight that may apply. Many Shippers/Receivers are unaware of these additional costs and do not include them into their costing and consequently may be left with an unexpected considerable expense at the completion of a project. FULL LINER TERMS : This is somewhat a vaguer term given different port practices. However, it generally implies that the freight amount provided includes both shore based and on-board stevedoring, lashing/unlashing, dunnage materials, securing/unsecuring and all costs of presenting to/receiving the cargo from the ship s side; with the shippers/receivers just bearing the cost of discharging from/reloading to the transport, along with the usual port charges/levies/taxes etc. Frequently the terms are varied at different ends of the voyage i.e. FILO (Free In/Liner Out), LIFO (Liner In Free Out) or FIFO (Free In/Free Out) etc. To be absolutely sure of all liabilities, it is always advisable to request that terms clearly and concisely indicate what is/isn t included in your particular contract - in layman s terms. I hope you will find this information both helpful and informative. If you require clarification on any aspect, or have any further questions, please don t hesitate to contact us at any time. ABBREVIATION MEANING AA Always Afloat AAAA Always Accessible Always Afloat AAOSA Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition for a vessel whilst in port AARA Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area ABAFT Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. Behind. ABOARD On or within the ship ABOVE DECK On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT) ABT About ADCOM Address Commission ADDENDUM Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party AFSPS Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway) AFFREIGHTMENT The hiring of a ship in whole or part AFT At or towards the stern or rear of a ship AGROUND Touching or fast to the bottom AGW All Going Well AHL Australian Hold Ladders AIDS TO NAVIGATION Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters ALOFT Above the deck of the ship AMIDSHIPS In or toward the centre of the ship ANCHORAGE A place suitable for anchorage in relation to the wind, seas and bottom ANTHAM Antwerp-Hamburg Range APS Arrival Pilot Station ARAG Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range ARBITRATION Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause usually in a charter party A/S Alongside ASBA American Shipbrokers Association ASPW Any Safe Port in the World ASTERN In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead ATDNSHINC Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included ATHWARTSHIPS At right angles to the centreline of the ship ATUTC Actual Times Used to Count BACKLETTER Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of indemnity' in favour of the carrier in exchange for a clean bill of lading BAF Bunker Adjustment Factor. A Fuel Surcharge expressed as a percentage added or subtracted from the freight amount, reflecting the movement in the market place price for bunkers. BALE CAP. Cubic capacity of a vessels holds to carry packaged dry cargo such as bales/pallets BALLAST Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary for the stability and safety of a ship which is not carrying cargo BALLAST BONUS Compensation for relatively long ballast voyage BAREBOAT CHTR. Bareboat Charter - Owners lease a specific ship and control its technical management and commercial operations only. Charterers take over all responsibility for the operation of the vessel and expenses for the duration. BBB Before Breaking Bulk. Refers to freight payments that must be received before discharge of a vessel commences BDI Both Dates Inclusive BEAM The maximum breadth or the greatest width of a ship BELOW Beneath the deck BENDS Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports) BI Both Inclusive BIMCO The Baltic and International Maritime Council BL1 Bale BL2 (Bill of Lading) A document signed by the carrier which acts as a Contract of Affreightment, a receipt and evidence of title to the cargo. BM Beam BN Booking Note BOB Bunker on Board BOFFER Best Offer BOW The forward part of a ship BROB Bunkers Remaining on Board BROKERAGE Percentage of freight payable to broker (by owners in c/p's) or applicable to sale or purchase BSS Basis BSS 1/1 Basis 1 Port to 1 Port BT Berth Terms BULKHEAD A vertical partition separating compartments BUNDLING This is the assembly of pieces of cargo, secured into one manageable unit. This is relevant to items such as Structural Steel, Handrails, Stairways etc. Whilst this is a very flexible description, a rule of thumb is to present cargo at a size easily handled by a large (20 tonne) fork lift. BUNKERS Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (Originates from coal bunkers) BUOY An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard or a shoal and for mooring BWAD Brackish Water Arrival Draft CAF Currency Adjustment Factor CBM Cubic Metres CBFT (or CFT) Cubic Feet CFR (or C&F) Cost and Freight CHART A map used by navigators CHOPT Charterers Option CHTRS Charterers CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight. Seller pays all these costs to a nominated port or place of discharge. CKD Completely knocked down COA Contract of Affreightment - Owners agree to accept a cost per revenue tonne for cargo carried on a specific number of voyages. CIP Carriage and Insurance paid to... COACP Contract of Affreightment Charter Party COB Closing of Business COBLDN Closing of Business London COD Cash On Delivery COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act CONGESTION Port/berth delays CONS Consumption C/SNEE CONSIGNEE. Name of agent, company or person receiving consignment COP Custom Of Port CP (or C/P) Charter Party CPD Charterers Pay Dues CPT Carriage Paid To CQD Customary Quick Despatch CR Current Rate CROB Cargo Remaining on Board CRN Crane CRT Cargo Retention Clauses, introduced by charterers based on shortage of delivered cargo because of increased oil prices CST Centistoke CTR Container Fitted DA Disbursement Account DAF Deliver At Frontier DAPS Days all Purposes (Total days for loading & discharging) DAMFORDET Damages for Detention. Penalty if cargo is not ready when ship arrives for working (1st day of Laycan). This is not detention which is charged for ships time on delay. If the cargo is ready there is no DAMFORDET. DDU Delivered Duty unpaid. DDP Delivered Duty Paid. DECK A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part thereof DEM Demurrage (Quay Rent). Money paid by the shipper for the occupying port space beyond a specified "Free Time" period. DEQ Delivered Ex Quay DES Delivered Ex Ship DESP Despatch. Time saved, reward for quick turnaround- in dry cargo only DET Detention (See DAMFORDET) DEV Deviation. Vessel departure from specified voyage course DFRT Deadfreight. Space booked by shipper or charterer on a vessel but not used DHDATSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on All Time Saved Both Ends DHDWTSBE Despatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends DISCH Discharge DK Deck DLOSP Dropping Last Outwards Sea Pilot (Norway) DO Diesel Oil DOLSP Dropping Off Last Sea Pilot (Norway) DOP Dropping Outward Pilot DOT Department of Transport DNRCAOSLONL Discountless and Non-Returnable Cargo and/or Ship Lost or Not Lost DRAUGHT (or 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. DRK Derrick 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 tynes of a fork lift truck may be inserted. DWAT (or DWT) Deadweight. Weight of cargo, stores and water, i.e. the difference between lightship and loaded displacement. EBB A receeding current EC East Coast EIU Even If Used ELVENT Electric Ventilation ETA Estimated Time of Arrival ETC Estimated Time of Completion ETD Estimated Time of Departure ETS Estimated Time of Sailing EXW Ex Works FAC Fast as can FAS Free Alongside Ship. Seller delivers goods to appropriate dock or terminal at port of embarkation and buyer covers costs and risks of loading FCA Free to Carrier. A modern equivalent of FAS used in intermodal transport where goods are transferred at a nominated forwarders premises, depot or terminal but not actually on board vessel. FD (FDIS) Free Discharge FDD Freight Demurrage Deadfreight FDESP Free Despatch FDEDANRSAOCLONL Freight Deemed Earned, Discountless And Non-Returnable (Refundable) Ship And Or Cargo Lost Or Not Lost FENDER A cushion, placed between ships, or between a ship and a pier, to prevent damage FEU Standard 40 Container FHEX Fridays/Holidays Excluded FHINC Fridays/Holidays Included FILO Free In/Liner Out. Seafreight with which the shipper pays load costs and the carrier pays for discharge costs. FIO Free In/Out. Freight booked FIO includes the seafreight, but no loading/discharging costs, i.e. the charterer pays for cost of loading/discharging cargo. FIOS Free In/Out Stowed. As per FIO, but excludes stowage costs. FIOST Free In/Out and Trimmed. Charterer pays for cost of loading/discharging cargo, including stowage and trimming. FIOT Free In/Out and Trimmed. As per FIOS but includes trimming, e.g. the levelling of bulk cargoes. FIOS includes seafreight, but excludes loading/discharging and stowage costs. FIT Free In Trimmed FIW Free In Wagon FIXING Chartering a Vessel FIXTURE Conclusion of shipbrokers negotiations to charter a ship - an agreement FLATPACKING Cargo to be presented stacked and secured as an integral unit. FLT Full Liner Terms FMC Federal Maritime Commission FME Force Majeure Excepted FMS Fathoms FO1 For Orders FO2 (IFO) Fuel Oil/Intermediate FO FO3 Free Out 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 FOFFER Firm Offer FOG For Our Guidance FOQ Free On Quay FOR Free On Rail FORCE MAJEURE Clause limiting responsibilities of the charterers, shippers and receivers of cargo. FORE-AND-AFT In a line parallel to the keel FORWARD Toward the bow of the ship FOT Free On Truck FOW1 First Open Water FOW2 Free On Wharf FP Free Pratique. Clearance by the Health Authorities FR First Refusal. First attempt at best offer that can be matched FREEBOARD The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale FRT Freight. Money payable on delivery of cargo in a mercantile condition FREE DESPATCH If loading/discharging achieved sooner than agreed, there will be no freight money returned. FREE EXINS Free of any Extra Insurance (Owners) FREE OUT Free of discharge costs to owners. Includes seafreight only. FRUSTRATION Charterers when cancelling agreement sometimes quote 'doctrine of frustration' i.e. vessel is lost, extensive delays. FWAD Fresh Water Arrival Draft FWDD Fresh Water Departure Draft FYG For Your Guidance FYI For Your Information Home | Company Profile | Major Project Review | Maritime Links | Flotsam & Jetsam Links Chartering Terms A-F | Chartering Terms G-Z | WWPC | Contact Chartering Terms & Definitions A-F