Freight Forwarding Terminology

Protection and Indemnity Insurance.

Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (USA).

A Packing List gives details of the contents of all the packages making up the consignments and is required by Custom’s authorities if the packing information is not shown on the invoice. The Packaging List is usually attached to the invoice.

A flat tray, generally made of wood but occasionally of steel, on which goods particularly those in boxes, cartons or bags, can be stacked. Its purpose is to facilitate the movement of such goods, mainly by the use of forklift trucks. Note that where goods are presented for shipment packed onto a pallet, then the number of packages = 1, not the number of packages on the pallet.

A vessel designed to be just small enough to transit the Panama Canal.

A passenger ship that its authorized to carry over twelve passengers.

Rates and/or changes on shipments transported in containers or trailers and rated on the basis of the category of the container or trailer.

Approved floats meant as life preservers and carried on board ships.

Professional Indemnity Insurance.

A person who is qualified to assist the master of a ship to navigate when entering or leaving a port.

The enclosed space on the navigating bridge from which a ship is controlled when under way.

The act carried out by a pilot of assisting the master of a ship in navigation when entering or leaving a port. Sometimes used to define the fee payable for the services of a pilot.

A fee payable by the owner or operator of a ship for the services of a pilot. This fee is normally based on the ship's tonnage.

Tariff Act of 1930. USA - imposes a 50-percent tariff on maintenance and repair work done on U.S.-flag vessels in foreign shipyards. Also, U.S.-flag vessels must either be built in the United States or have been a U.S.-flag vessel for at least 3 years to be eligible to carry preference cargo.

USA Mandate that 50 percent of US government impelled cargoes be carried under U.S. flag. Known as the 50/50 shipping law.

A container consisting of a rectangular base only. See also BOLSTER, FLAT, FLAT-TAINER.

Pacific Maritime Association (USA).

Port of Discharge. Port where vessel's merchandise is off-loaded.

Port of Loading. Port where cargo is loaded aboard the vessel.

The sharing of cargo or the profit or loss from freight by member lines of a liner conference. Pooling arrangements do not exist in all conferences.

The left-hand side of a ship when facing the front or forward end. The left side of a ship during darkness is indicated by a red light.

Contracts with berth CIP. NOR can be given when within commercial limits of the port

Point at which individuals and imported goods enter a country and clear its national customs.

USA public Resolution which requires that U.S. Government financed cargoes (Eximbank) must be shipped 100% in U.S. Flag ships, but that the requirement may be waived up to 50% in some cases.

The initial transport of goods from the seller's premises to the main port of shipment. Usually by truck, rail or inland waterways.

Introduction to a Charter Party

A tanker which is generally below 70,000 deadweight tons and used to carry refined oil products from the refinery to the consumer. In many cases, four different grades of oil can be handled simultaneously.

Equipped to extract petroleum, e.g. oil production ship.

A ship designed to carry propane in liquid form. The propane is carried in tanks within the holds; it remains in liquid form by means of pressure and refrigeration. Such ships are also suitable for the carriage of butane.

Platform Supply Vessel. Carries supplies to drilling units or installations during field development or production.

A rating who tends to the pumps of an oil tanker.

A ship's officer who is in charge of accounts, especially on a passenger ship.