Clear maritime definitions, connected to practical guidance.
Search commercial, operational, technical, regulatory, crew and financial terminology used across global shipping.
130 terms
Affreightment
The hiring of vessel capacity to carry cargo, commonly through a voyage charter, time charter or contract of affreightment.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialBareboat Charter
An arrangement in which the charterer takes possession and operational responsibility for the vessel, generally without crew or technical management from the owner.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialBrokerage Commission
A percentage or agreed amount payable to a broker for facilitating a maritime transaction.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialBunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)
A freight adjustment intended to reflect changes in bunker-fuel cost.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialCharter Party
The contract setting out the terms on which a vessel or its capacity is hired.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialCharterer
The party that hires a vessel or its cargo-carrying capacity under a charter party.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialContract of Affreightment (COA)
An agreement to carry a series or quantity of cargoes over a period, without necessarily identifying one vessel for every shipment.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialDeadfreight
Compensation that may be payable when the charterer supplies less cargo than the quantity contractually committed, subject to the charter party.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialFixture
The commercial agreement of a vessel or cargo employment on negotiated terms.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialFixture Recap
A summary of the principal terms agreed during a fixture, used pending or alongside the formal charter party.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialFreight
The payment for carrying cargo, commonly under a voyage charter or bill of lading arrangement.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialFreight Derivative (FFA)
A financial contract settled against freight-market indices, used to manage or take exposure to freight rates.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialLaycan
The agreed date range within which the vessel must be ready and the charterer may cancel if the vessel misses the cancelling date, subject to the contract.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialOff-hire
A period under a time charter when hire may cease to accrue because the vessel is unavailable for a contractually specified reason.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialOn-hire Survey
A survey used to record vessel condition and quantities, often bunkers, at delivery into a time charter.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialOwner
The registered, beneficial or disponent owner contextually responsible for making the vessel available.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialSubjects
Conditions that must be lifted or satisfied before a negotiation becomes fully binding, depending on governing law and wording.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialTime Charter
A charter under which the charterer hires the vessel for a period while the owner generally retains technical operation and crew.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialTime Charter Equivalent (TCE)
A measure converting voyage revenue and voyage expenses into a daily earnings figure for comparison.
Read definitionChartering and CommercialVoyage Charter
A charter for carriage of cargo on one or more specified voyages, usually in return for freight.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsActual Time of Arrival (ATA)
The recorded time at which a vessel actually arrives at the defined location or port reference point.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsActual Time of Berthing (ATB)
The recorded time at which the vessel is all fast or otherwise considered berthed under the relevant operational definition.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsEstimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
The expected time a vessel will arrive at a destination or defined reporting point.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsEstimated Time of Berthing (ETB)
The expected time at which a vessel will berth.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsEstimated Time of Completion (ETC)
The expected time at which cargo or another operation will finish.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsEstimated Time of Departure (ETD)
The expected time at which the vessel will depart.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsHusbandry Services
Non-cargo port services such as crew changes, provisions, spares, medical attendance, cash delivery and repairs.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsJust-in-Time Arrival
Coordinating vessel speed and port readiness so the ship arrives when berth, services and cargo operations are genuinely available.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsNoon Report
A regular vessel report containing navigation, weather, consumption, performance and operational information, traditionally sent around noon ship time.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsPort Agent
The local representative coordinating ship clearance, port services, communications and documentation for a principal.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsPort Call
The complete operational period associated with a vessel visiting a port, from pre-arrival planning through departure and close-out.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsPro Forma Disbursement Account (PDA)
An advance estimate of the port costs expected for a vessel call.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsFinal Disbursement Account (FDA)
The final account of port-call expenses, normally supported by invoices and vouchers.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsStatement of Facts (SOF)
A chronological record of events during a port call, widely used as evidence for operations and laytime analysis.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsShip-to-Ship Transfer (STS)
The transfer of cargo, commonly liquid bulk, directly between vessels under controlled procedures.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsTug Assistance
The use of tugboats to support vessel manoeuvring, berthing, unberthing or safety.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsUnder Keel Clearance (UKC)
The vertical distance between the lowest part of the vessel and the seabed or controlling depth.
Read definitionVoyage Operations and Port CallsWeather Routing
The use of forecast and vessel data to select or adjust a route considering safety, time, fuel and operating constraints.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationAll Fast
The operational time when all required mooring lines are secured, often used as a port-event timestamp.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationDemurrage
Agreed compensation that may be payable when counted laytime exceeds the contractual allowance.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationDespatch
An agreed payment that may be due when cargo operations use less than the allowed laytime.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationLaytime
The contractually allowed time for loading or discharging cargo.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationNotice of Readiness (NOR)
A notice stating that the vessel is ready in the contractual sense to load or discharge.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationOnce on Demurrage, Always on Demurrage
A common shorthand for a principle that certain laytime exceptions may no longer interrupt time after demurrage begins, subject to the contract and law.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationReversible Laytime
An arrangement allowing loading and discharging laytime allowances to be combined.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationTime Bar
A contractual deadline by which a claim and required supporting documents must be submitted.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationTimesheet
A calculation sheet recording counted and excluded time for laytime analysis.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationBill of Lading
A transport document that can evidence receipt of cargo, the contract of carriage and, in negotiable form, rights relating to delivery.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationCargo Manifest
A list or declaration describing cargo carried on a vessel.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationMate’s Receipt
A receipt issued on behalf of the vessel acknowledging cargo loaded, often noting apparent condition.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationLetter of Protest
A formal notice recording an objection, discrepancy or event that may affect rights or claims.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationSea Protest
A formal declaration by the master concerning extraordinary events or conditions during a voyage, subject to local procedure.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationCargo Shortage Claim
A claim alleging that delivered cargo quantity is less than the contractual or documented quantity.
Read definitionLaytime, Claims and DocumentationGeneral Average
A maritime-law principle under which extraordinary sacrifice or expenditure made for common safety may be shared among interests in the maritime adventure.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsBulk Carrier
A ship designed primarily to carry unpackaged dry bulk cargo such as grain, coal or ore.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsCapesize
A large dry-bulk vessel category typically too large for the traditional Panama Canal and associated with long-haul ore and coal trades.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsPanamax
A vessel-size category historically defined by the dimensional limits of the original Panama Canal locks.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsSupramax
A geared dry-bulk vessel segment larger than typical Handymax tonnage and used across diverse ports and cargoes.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsHandysize
A smaller, versatile dry-bulk vessel segment suited to ports with draft or infrastructure limits.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsTanker
A vessel designed to carry liquid cargoes in bulk.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsVLCC
Very Large Crude Carrier, generally used for long-haul crude-oil transport.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsLNG Carrier
A specialised vessel designed to transport liquefied natural gas at cryogenic temperature.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsLPG Carrier
A vessel designed to carry liquefied petroleum gases or related pressurised or refrigerated gas cargoes.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsContainer Ship
A vessel designed to carry standardised intermodal containers.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsGeneral Cargo Ship
A ship carrying breakbulk, packaged, project or mixed cargo that is not solely containerised or bulk.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsDeadweight Tonnage (DWT)
The total weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, bunkers, water, stores, crew and effects, at the relevant load line.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsGross Tonnage (GT)
A dimensionless measure based on the internal volume of a ship, used for regulatory and administrative purposes.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsDraft
The vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest part of the hull, varying with loading and water density.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsFreeboard
The vertical distance from the waterline to the relevant deck line.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsBunker Fuel
Fuel supplied for use by a ship, including conventional and alternative marine fuels.
Read definitionVessels, Cargoes and MarketsDraught Survey
A method of estimating cargo weight by comparing vessel displacement before and after loading or discharging.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceAutomatic Identification System (AIS)
A radio-based system through which vessels broadcast identity, position and navigation-related messages for safety and situational awareness.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceTerrestrial AIS
AIS messages received by shore-based stations within radio range.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceSatellite AIS
AIS messages collected by satellites, extending vessel visibility beyond coastal receiver range.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceMaritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
A nine-digit identifier assigned to a ship station, coast station or related maritime radio service.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceApplication Programming Interface (API)
A defined software interface that allows systems to exchange data or trigger functions.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceWebhook
An automated message sent from one software system to another when a specified event occurs.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceDigital Twin
A digital representation linked to the condition, behaviour or data of a physical asset or process and used to support decisions.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceEdge Agent
Software running near the data source, such as an approved vessel computer, to collect, process, buffer and securely transmit selected data.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceInternet of Things (IoT)
A network of connected physical devices and sensors that collect and exchange data.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceNMEA 0183
A widely used maritime data-communication standard for transmitting navigation and instrument messages.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceIEC 61162
A family of international standards for digital interfaces used with shipboard navigation and radio-communication equipment.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceModbus
An industrial communication protocol commonly used to exchange data with machinery, sensors and control devices.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceOPC UA
A platform-independent industrial interoperability standard for secure, structured data exchange.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceData Provenance
Information showing where data came from, how it changed and which source or process produced it.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceAudit Trail
A chronological record of actions, changes, approvals and access that supports accountability and review.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceHuman in the Loop
A design in which people review, correct or approve automated or AI-generated outputs at defined points.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligencePredictive Maintenance
The use of condition and operational data to anticipate developing failures and support timely maintenance decisions.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligencePlanned Maintenance System (PMS)
A structured system for scheduling, recording and controlling vessel maintenance tasks.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceVoyage Management System (VMS)
Software supporting commercial voyage estimation, planning, execution, reporting and settlement.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceMaritime ERP
An enterprise system integrating maritime operational, technical, financial, procurement, crewing or related business records.
Read definitionTechnology, Data and IntelligenceMaritime Operating System
A connected workflow and data layer intended to coordinate vessels, operations, people, documents and related actions across maritime stakeholders.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityCarbon Intensity Indicator (CII)
An IMO annual operational carbon-intensity measure for covered ships, producing ratings from A to E.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityEnergy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI)
An IMO technical efficiency measure comparing an existing ship’s attained value with the required value for its type and size.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityEnergy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)
A technical design-efficiency standard for qualifying new ships.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityEU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
The European cap-and-trade system extended to covered maritime emissions from 2024.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityEU Allowance (EUA)
A tradable allowance used for compliance under the EU Emissions Trading System.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityFuelEU Maritime
An EU regulation targeting the greenhouse-gas intensity of energy used on board covered ships and promoting renewable and low-carbon fuels.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityMonitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
A regulated process for measuring, reporting and independently verifying emissions or related data.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityInternational Safety Management Code (ISM Code)
An international framework requiring companies to establish a safety-management system for safe ship operation and pollution prevention.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityInternational Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
A security framework for ships and port facilities under SOLAS.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
The principal international convention addressing prevention of pollution from ships.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilitySafety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS)
The principal international treaty setting minimum safety standards for construction, equipment and operation of ships.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityStandards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)
The international convention and code setting minimum standards for seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityMaritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)
The ILO convention consolidating standards for seafarers’ employment, living and working conditions.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilitySafety Management System (SMS)
The documented company system used to implement safety and environmental policy under the ISM framework.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityPort State Control (PSC)
Inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify compliance with applicable international standards.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityFlag State
The state whose flag a ship is entitled to fly and which exercises regulatory jurisdiction over the vessel.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityClassification Society
An organisation that develops technical rules and surveys ships for classification and, when authorised, statutory functions.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityMaritime Single Window (MSW)
A digital environment used by public authorities to receive and exchange ship-clearance information for arrival, stay and departure.
Read definitionRegulation, Safety and SustainabilityFAL Convention
The IMO Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, intended to simplify and harmonise formalities, documents and procedures.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsCertificate of Competency (CoC)
A certificate confirming that a seafarer is qualified for specified functions, capacities and limitations under the applicable STCW and administration framework.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsCertificate of Proficiency (CoP)
A certificate confirming completion or competence for specified training or duties under the applicable framework.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsSeafarer’s Employment Agreement (SEA)
The employment agreement setting out a seafarer’s terms and conditions in accordance with applicable law and the MLC framework.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsSeaman’s Book
A seafarer identity or service record document issued by an authorised administration, with form and legal effect varying by country.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsSea Service
Documented time and duties served on board, used for career, certification and employment purposes.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsSafe Manning Document
A document issued by the flag administration stating the minimum safe manning required for a ship.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsCrew Allotment
An authorised portion of a seafarer’s wages paid to a nominated person or account.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsRepatriation
The return of a seafarer to the entitled destination under the employment and MLC framework.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsManning Agency
A company involved in recruiting, placing or managing seafarers for ship employment, subject to applicable regulation.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsCrew Change
The coordinated sign-on and sign-off of seafarers, including travel, immigration, medical and handover requirements.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsKnow Your Customer (KYC)
The process by which a regulated provider verifies a customer’s identity and risk profile.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsKnow Your Business (KYB)
Verification and risk assessment of a business customer, including ownership and control.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsAnti-Money Laundering (AML)
Laws, controls and procedures intended to prevent and detect money laundering and related financial crime.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsBanking as a Service (BaaS)
A model in which a regulated financial institution provides banking capabilities through technology interfaces to another company’s product.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsEmbedded Finance
The integration of financial services into a non-financial software or commercial experience.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsStablecoin
A digital token designed to maintain a relatively stable value, commonly by reference to a fiat currency, with risks and regulatory treatment depending on structure and jurisdiction.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsSWIFT
A global financial messaging network used by institutions to communicate payment and other financial instructions.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsBeneficiary
The person or organisation designated to receive a payment.
Read definitionCrew, Careers and PaymentsPayment Reconciliation
The process of matching payment movements with invoices, payroll, accounts or operational records.
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