Chartering abbreviations
Chartering abbreviations, also known as shipping abbreviations or maritime abbreviations, are a set of standardized codes and abbreviations used in the shipping and maritime industry to communicate information quickly and efficiently. These abbreviations are used in various documents, messages, and communications related to the chartering and operation of vessels.
Chartering abbreviations have been established over many years as the maritime industry developed and evolved. The use of standardized codes and abbreviations in shipping can be traced back to the early 20th century and has become more prevalent as the industry has become increasingly global and complex.
The language used within the shipping business may not be easily understood by everybody –please find a short list of explanations for some of the most common expressions, standard terms and abbreviations.
Container shipping language
FCL
Full Container Load
LCL
Less Container Load
Out-of-Gauge / OOG
Oversized cargo, on Flat or Open Top container
CY/CY
Rate is valid from Container yard to Container yard - used for container shipments only
CFS/CFS
Rate is valid from Container Freight Station to Container Freight Station
DC container
Dry Cargo container - standart closed box container
DV container
Dry Van container - standart closed box container
GP container
General Purpose container - standart closed box container
HC container
High Cube container - container which is 1’ (abt 30 cm) higher than normal containers
OT container
Open Top container
FR container
Flatrack container
COC
Carriers own container
SOC
Shipper’s own container
Breakbulk shipping terms
Liner Terms, hook/hook
Rate includes seafreight, loading to vessel, lashing and securing, unlashing and discharge. Any cost to hooking/unhooking not included, nor any landside/terminal cost whatsoever.
FIOS
Free in and out, stowed. It means that loading and discharge of goods, stowage, lashing and securing, is additional and not included in price.
Free out
Consignee shall arrange and cover cost of discharge of cargo from vessel.
FOT
Free on Truck. Loading and unloading of cargo to/from truck is NOT included
FILO
Free in / Liner Out – It means that loading incl. lashing & securing of goods are excluded in the price, but discharge cost are included in the price.
LIFO
Liner in / Free Out – Vice Versa of above
Abbreviations
Agw, wp, wog
All Going Well, Weather Permitting, Without Guarantee
BAF
Bunker Adjustment Factor (surcharge for bunker costs)
Basis 1/1
Basis 1 port to 1 Port
BBB
Before Breakbulk Bulk. Refers to freight payment that must be received before discharge of a vessel commences. Often used when transit time is short
B/B
Breakbulk cargo
Bends
Both ends (Load & Discharge ports)
BOD
Board of Directors approval
Broken stowage
The cargo space which is unavoidable lost when stowing cargo. The percentage of wasted space depends upon e.g the kind of cargo, the packing and the used space.
CAF
Currency Adjustment Factor
Chargeable weight in Airfreight
In Airfreight, 1 cbm = 167 kgs. Example: shipment of 200 kgs 7.00 cbm, will be charged as 7.00 x 167 kgs = 1169 kgs.
Chopt
Charterers Option
COB
Closing of Business hours
COG
Center Of Gravity
Congestion
Accumulation of vessels at a port to the extent that vessels aariving to load or discharge are obliged to wait for a vacant berth.
CP (or C/P)
Charter Party
DWT
Full-cargo / Sole-cargo
Vessel is booked only with one shipment cargo and will sail directly from port of loading to port of discharge
FHINC
Fridays, Holidays included (Muslim countries)
GRI
General Rate Increase – Expression used by container carriers, as example rate subject to GRI as from 1st July.
Grace period
Agreed free time in POL/POD before detention cost will count.
Gsbaaaa
One Good Safe Berth, Always Afloat, Always Accessible
Hot permit
Permit to perform welding work
LOA
Length Overall of the vessel
L/S/D/W
Lashing, securing, Dunnaged, Welding
Minimum inducement
Minimum freight rate applicable to start the the voyage to cover cost for loading operation, discharge operation and the voyage
Molchopt
More or Less Charterers Option
NOR
Notice of Readiness
Non-reversible
Detention. If loading completed sooner than expected, then saved days will not be added to discharge time allowed
Part-cargo
Expression used when booking with breakbulk carriers in tramp service. Part-cargo means that only part of the vessel is booked.
PDPR
Per Day Pro Rata
POL
Port of loading
POD
Port of discharge
PSS
Peak Season Surcharge – Extra surcharge applicable duing peak season
Recap
Recapitulation of the terms and conditions agreed
Reversible
Detention. If loading completed sooner than expected at load port, then days saved can be added to discharge operation
RO/RO
Roll on / Roll off – Vessel type with a ramp, ie car carriers
SHEX
Sundays, Holidays excluded
SHINC
Sundays, Holidays included
SSHEX
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays excluded
SOF
Statement of Facts
Static cargo
Cargo which is not on own wheels and can be rolled on board. Cargo will be stowed on roll trailers / mafi trailers
TBN
To be Named / To be Nominated
THC
Terminal handling charge
W/M, RT or FR
Weight / Measure, Revenue Ton, Freight ton: 1 ton equals 1 cbm. Each package is rated individually, depending on weight/volume
The frequency of using these abbreviations would depend on the level of familiarity among industry professionals, the nature of communication (formal contracts, emails, casual conversations, etc.), and the specific sector within the maritime industry (shipping companies, brokers, legal departments, etc.). It's important to note that while these abbreviations are commonly used, the context of the conversation or document would dictate whether they are necessary or appropriate.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping, has played a significant role in standardizing many aspects of the maritime industry, including communication. While the IMO primarily focuses on safety, security, and environmental concerns, its work has also contributed to the establishment of standardized practices and codes that include shipping-related abbreviations.
It's important to note that while certain abbreviations have been established for a long time, the specific list of abbreviations and their meanings can vary between different regions and organizations. However, efforts have been made to create internationally recognized standards to improve communication and efficiency in the maritime industry. These standards continue to evolve as the industry adapts to new technologies and changing practices.
