Freight Forwarding Terminology

Steamship.

The property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the vessel herself.

Safe berth

Standard Carrier Alpha Code. This code is defined by the NMFTA (National Motor Freight Traffic Association) to identify all transportation carriers with a unique two-to-four-letter code.

Specific Commodity Rate. A rate applicable to carriage of specifically designated commodities used for certain types of cargo, which is generally lower in price than the general cargo rate at comparable weights but may also include restrictions (such as minimum shipment size).

A series of trials conducted by the builders during which the owner's representatives on board act in a consulting and checking capacity to determine if the vessel has met the specifications.

The sufficiency of a vessel in materials construction,equipment, crew and outfit for the trade in which it is employed. Any sort of disrepair to the vessel by which the cargo may suffer overloading, untrained officers, etc., may constitute a vessel unseaworthy.

Sea-barge, a barge carrier design similar to "LASH" but which uses rollers to move the barges aboard the ship; the self-propelled loaded barges are themselves loaded on board as cargo and are considerably larger than those loaded on LASH ships.

Statement on the condition of the vessel . It has valid certificates, is fully equipped and manned

A certificate issued by a classification society surveyor to allow a vessel to proceed after she has met with a mishap that may have affected its seaworthiness. It is frequently issued to enable a vessel to proceed, after temporary repairs have been effected, to another port where permanent repairs are then carried out.

A containership which has her own crane for loading and discharging shipping containers enabling the ship to serve ports which do not have suitable lifting equipment.

A ship whose holds re shaped in such a way that the cargo levels itself.

A bulk carrier which is equipped with gear for unloading cargo.

Deck supported by pillars, fastened to pontoons. The pontoons are half submerged during operations. Kept in position by anchors (or by dynamic positioning). Normally equipped with its own propulsion machinery.

Sundays, holidays excluded (USA)).

This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another. This can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargoworthiness of the ship.

Sundays, holidays, included

A person or firm who transacts all business in a port on behalf of shipowners or charterers. Also called shipping agent; agent.

A written agreement between the master of a ship and the crew concerning their employment. It includes rates of pay and capacity of each crewman, the date of commencement of the voyage and its duration.

The seaworthiness of a ship regarding the centrifugal force which enables her to remain upright.

An organization of shippers formed to collectively and services with the conferences of ship operators.

Individuals or businesses who purchase transportation services or commodities.

2,000 pounds (USA).

A skeletal road trailer, normally drawn by a prime-mover, which is fitted with lifting equipment (cranes) to lift an ISO shipping container on/off itself. t may be of either 20' or 40' configuration of be adjustable for either.

Ships built on the same design.

Seafarers International Union.

A road trailer, normally drawn by a prime-mover, which has no floor but only struts fitted with locks to hold ISO shipping containers in either 20' and/or 40' configurations.

A tank in a tanker into which slops are pumped. These represent a residue of the ship's cargo of oil together with the water used to clean the cargo tanks. They are left to separate out in the slop tank.

Currency which is not fully convertible to all currencies but only to some other soft currencies.

International Convention for Safety of Life At Sea

Safe port

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, i.e., bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, crew's wages and food, insurance and repairs. Cargo owner absorbs, in addition, any expenses specifically levied against the cargo.

Short ton

A charge, usually made by a stevedoring authority, for handling cargo being unloaded from a ship (Australia).

Stationed near an offshore installation, responsible for evacuating its crew in emergencies. Also performs continuous guard function, warning other vessels to keep their distance from installations, etc.

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

A list which shows the vessel's complement and details their various duties in connection with fire and boat drills.

Subject to enough cargo

The upright post or bar of the bow of a vessel.

The rear of the vessel.

A propeller at the lower sea-covered part of the bow of the ship which turns at right angles to the fore-and-aft line and thus provides transverse thrust as a maneuvering aid. See also BOW THRUSTER.

The reverse movement of a vessel.

A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship for the maintenance of the crew, and for the navigation, propulsion and upkeep of the vessel and its equipment.

The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also in between ports when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.

Cubic space (measurement tons occupied by one tonne (2240 lbs or 1000 kgs of cargo))

The running of a ship on shore on a beach.