Here is a list of acronyms commonly used in the maritime industry. Many of these are not used in the modules but may be useful in your further research.
AAAA Always Afloat, Always Accessible
AB Able-Bodied Seaman ABCU Automated Bridge Control System for Unattended Engine Room ABS American Bureau of Shipping ACCU Automatic Control System Certified for Unattended Engine Room ADB Asian Development Bank AFRA Average Freight Rate Assessment AFRAMAX A tanker of such size as to take commercial advantage under Worldscale (generally, tankers 80,000-119,000 DWT) AHTS Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel AIGSS Annual Inert Gas System Survey ALLI Annual Load Line Inspection AMS Annual Machinery Survey AMVER Automated Mutual – Assistance Vessel Rescue System APEC Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation APS Arrival Pilot Station ARCS Admiralty Raster Chart Service (U.K. Hydrographic Office) ARPAS Automatic Radar Plotting Aid ATDNSHINC Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included AUX(AX) Auxiliary AUX KW Auxiliary/Generators Kilowatts (total) BAC Blood Alcohol Content BAF Bunker Adjustment Factor BBB Before Breaking Bulk (i.e. before discharge of cargo commences) BBLS Barrels BDI Both Dates Inclusive BFI Baltic Freight Index BI Both Inclusive BIMCO Baltic and International Maritime Council B/L or BL Bill of Lading BLG Subcommittee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (IMO) BLK Bulk BLU Code International Code for Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers 1997 (IMO) B/N Booking Note BOB Bunkers on Board BOFFER Best Offer BRM Bridge Resources Management BROB Bunkers Remaining On Board BS Boiler Survey
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 1
BT Bow Thruster BTM Bottom BTU British Thermal Unit – 0.252 kcal BWM International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments C&F Cost, Insurance & Freight C&F FO Cost and Freight Free Out CAD Computer Assisted Design CAF Currency Adjustment Factor CAM Computer Assisted Manufacture CAPESIZE Bulk Carrier 100,000-180,000 DWT CAS Condition Assessment Survey CBFT Cubic Feet CBM/cu.m. Cubic Meters CBP U S Customs and Border Patrol C.B.T./CBT Clean Ballast Tanks c.ft./cuft Cubic Feet (ft3) CFR Cost and Freight CFS Container Freight Station CHOPT Charterer's Option CHS Continuous Survey of Hull CHTRS Charterers CIF Cost Insurance Freight CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To CIRM International Radio-Maritime Committee CMI Committee Maritime International (Maritime Law Association) CMS Continuous Survey of Machinery CNG Compressed Natural Gas CO Cargo Oil CO2 Carbon Dioxide COA Contract Of Affreightment COB Closing of Business COD Cash On Delivery COGSA Carriage of Goods by Sea Act(s) COI Certificate of Insurance COLREGS Collision Regulations (IMO) COP Custom of the Port COSWEP Code of Safe Working Practices COT Cargo Oil Tank COW Crude Oil Washing C/P (CP) Charterparty or Charter Party CPT Carriage Paid To CR Current Rate CSI Container Security Initiative CSO Company Security Officer
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 2
CSP Company Security Plan CSR Continuous Synopsis Record CST Centistokes CT Cargo Tank CTL Constructive Total Loss C-TPAT Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism C/V Consecutive Voyage CV Caloric Value (Heat Value) DA Double-Acting DAF Delivered At Frontier Cargo DAT Delivered at Terminal DAP Delivered at Place DAPS Days All Purposes DB Double-Bottom DD Dry-Docking DDP Delivered Duty Paid DDU Delivered Duty Unpaid DE Subcommittee on Ship Design and Equipment (IMO) DEM Demurrage DEQ Delivered Ex Quay (Duty Paid) DES Delivered Ex Ship DF Direction-Finder DGPS Differential Global Positioning System DHDATSBE Dispatch Half Demurrage on All Time Saved Both Ends DHDWTSBE Dispatch Half Demurrage on Working Time Saved Both Ends DHS U.S. Department for Homeland Security DISCH Discharge DNV Det Norske Veritas (Norwegian Class Society) DO Diesel Oil DOC Document Of Compliance (Part of ISM Code) DOP Dropping Outward Pilot DOS Declaration of Security DR Dead Reckoning DRA Designated Restricted Area DSC Subcommittee on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes, and Containers (IMO) DWCT Deadweight Cargo Tons, or the weight of to be transported under a charter party DWT Deadweight Tons ECA Emission Control Areas ECC Environmental Coordinating Committee ECDIS Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems ECJ European Court of Justice EDI Electronic Data Interchange EEDI Energy Efficiency Design Index EEOI Energy Efficiency Operational Index EIU Even If Used
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 3
ENC Electronic Navigation Chart EPC Electronic Port Clearance EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon EQS Environmental Quality Standard EQUIP Equipment EQUIV Equivalent ER - E/R Engine Room ESD Emergency Shut Down (System) ETA Estimated Time of Arrival ETC Estimated Time of Completion ETD Estimated Time of Departure ETS Estimated Time of Sailing EU European Union EXP Expires EXT Extension EXW Ex Works FAQ Frequently Asked Questions FAS Free Alongside Ship FC Facilitation Committee (IMO) FCA Free Carrier FD Free Discharge FD&D/FDD Freight, Demurrage, And Deadfreight FDESP Free Dispatch FDIS Free Discharge FEU Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit (Container) FHEX Fridays, Holidays Excepted (Muslim Countries) FHINC Fridays, Holidays Included (Muslim Countries) FILO Free In/Liner Out FIO Free In and Out FLO/FLO Float On / Float Off FND Foundered FO Fuel Oil FOB Free On Board FOQ Free On Quay FOW First Open Water FOW Free On Warf FP Subcommittee on Fire Protection (IMO) FPA Free of Particular Average FPS Floating Production and Storage FPSO Floating Production, Storage & Offloading FSI Subcommittee on Flag State Implementation (IMO) FSRU Floating Storage & Re-Gasification Unit FT3 Cubic Feet FWAD Fresh Water Draft On Arrival FWD Forward
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 4
FWDD Fresh Water Departure Draft FYG For Your Guidance FYI For Your Information G12 MEPC 2012 Guidelines on Design and Construction to Facilitate Sediment Control on Ships G.A./GA General Average GATT General Agreement On Tariffs and Trade 1994 (now WTO) GDP Gross Domestic Product GeSI Global eSustainability Initiative GHG Greenhouse Gas GISIS Global Integrated Shipping Information System GL Germanischer Lloyd (German Class Society) GLS Gearless GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (IMO) GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Universal/Zulu Time) GNSS Global Navigational Satellite System GO Gas Oil GPS Global Positioning System GRD Geared (i.e. Vessel can load and discharge with its own gear (cranes etc.) GRN Grounded GRT Gross Registered Tonnage GSB Guaranteed Safe Berth GT Gross Tons HANDYMAX Bulk Carrier 35,000-50,000 DWT HANDYSIZE Bulk Carrier 10,000-35,000 DWT HAZMAT Hazardous Materials HCPV High Capacity Passenger Vessel HDLTSBENDS Half Dispatch Lay Time Saved Both Ends HDWTS Half Dispatch Working Time Saved HE Human Element HF High Frequency HFO Heavy Fuel Oil HNS Hazardous and Noxious Substances HO Heavy Oil HP Horsepower HPTB High Pressure Turbine HSC High Speed Craft Code (IMO) HUET Helicopter Underwater Egress Training HVR Hague-Visby Rules HW Heavy Weather HW High Water IACS International Association of Classification Societies IAW In Accordance With IBC International Code for Vessels Carrying Chemicals in Bulk (IMO) ICS International Chamber of Shipping
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 5
ICT Information and Communication Technology ID No. Owner Identification Number (IMO) IFO Intermediate Fuel Oil IG Inert Gas IGC International Code for Vessels Carrying Liquefied Gases (IMO) IGS Inert Gas System ILO International Labour Organization IMB International Maritime Bureau IMDG International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMO) IMF International Monetary Fund IMLI International Maritime Law Institute (IMO) IMO International Maritime Organization (Part of UN) INCOTERMS International Commercial Terms IND Indication INMARSAT International Maritime Convention on Communication by Satellite INT Intermediate Survey or Interval IOPP International Oil Pollution Certificate IS Intact Stability Code (IMO) ISF International Shipping Federation ISM (Code) International Safety Management Code; International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention ISO International Standards Organization ISPS International Ship and Port Facility Code and SOLAS Amendments 2002 ISSC International Ship Security Certificate ISTEA Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act IT Independent Tank IT Information Technology IT Italy (Flag) ITB Integrated Tug Barge ITC Independent Tank Center ITC International Tonnage Convention ITF International Transport Federation IUHTAUTC If Used, Half Time Actually to Count JIT Just In Time JU Jack-Up (MODU) KPI Key Performance Indicators KW Kilowatt LAMP Large Amplitude Motions and Loads LASH Lighter Aboard Ship (barge carrier) LAT Latitude LBP Length Between Perpendiculars L/C or LOC Letter Of Credit LEZ Low Emission Zone LL Load Line (International Convention On Load Lines) (IMO) LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 6
LNGC LNG Carrier LO/LO Lift On/Lift Off LOA Length Overall LOC Location LOF (95) Lloyd’s Open Form (of Salvage Agreement) (1995) LOI Letter of Indemnity LOP Letter of Protest (See NOP) LOT Load On Top LOW Last Open Water LP Low Pressure LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPTB Low Pressure Turbine LR Lloyd's Register of Shipping (British Class Society) LR1 (Large Range 1) Vessels 50,000-79,999 DWT LR2 (Large Range 2) Vessels 80,000-159,000 DWT LT Local Time LU Laid-Up LV Last Visit LYCN Laycan (Layday Cancelling Date) MARPOL Marine Pollution Prevention (International Convention) (IMO) MAS Mandatory Annual Survey (SOLAS, MARPOL) MAYDAY Distress Signal (Spoken Word) MC Mutual Consent MCA Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK) MDO Marine Diesel Oil ME Main Engine MEHRA Marine Environmentally High Risk Areas MEPC Marine Environmental Protection Committee (IMO) MGO Marine Gas Oil MHW Mean High Water MHWS Mean High Water Springs MLC Maritime Labour Convention. (ILO) MLLW Mean Lower Low Water MLW Mean Low Water MLWS Mean Low Water Springs MOC Memorandum Of Consultation MODU Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit MOLCHOPT More Or Less Charterer's Option (see MOLCO) MOLCO More Or Less Charterers’ Option (see MOLCHOPT) MOLOO More Or Less Owners’ Option MOPU Mobile Offshore Production Unit MOU Memorandum of Understanding (Port State Control) MPA Marine Protection Area MSC Marine Safety Committee (IMO) M/T or MT Motor Tanker
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 7
MT Metric Ton M/V or MV Motor Vessel (Diesel) NAABSA Not Always Afloat But Safe Aground NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NAV Subcommittee on Safety of Navigation (IMO) NGL Natural Gas Liquid NGO Non-Governmental Organization NLS Noxious Liquid Substance NM Nautical Mile NOA Notification of Arrival NOP Notice of Protest (see LOP) NOR/N.O.R. Notice Of Readiness NOx Nitrogen Oxide NPV Net Present Value NRT Net Registered Tonnage NT Net Tons NVOCC Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier OBO Ore/Bulk/Oil OBQ On-Board Quantity (before loading) OCIMF Oil Companies International Marine Forum OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OO Owners Option OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPRC Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation OPRC HNS Protocol to the OPRC relating to hazardous and noxious substances (OPRC-HNS Protocol) OSH Open Shelter Deck OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSI Offshore Storage Installation OSR Outstanding Recommendation Against Class OSV Offshore Supply Vessel OT Oil Tight OTBD Outboard P&I Protection And Indemnity (Insurance Mutual Clubs) PA Port Aft PANAMAX A tanker of the maximum size capable of transit of the Panama Canal (approx. 50,000- 80,000 DWT) (breadth normally the limiting factor). PAX Passenger pb Per Barrel PC Period Charter PCC Pure Car Carrier PCGO Part Cargo PDPR Per Day Pro-Rated PET Portable Electronic Thermometer PF Port Facility
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 8
PFD Personal Flotation Device PFSO Port Facility Security Officer PFSP Port Facility Security Plan PIOPIC P and I Oil Pollution Indemnity Clause PL Public Law PLS Position Location Systems PMU Portable Measurement Unit POB Pilot On Board PPE Personal Protective Equipment PPM Parts Per Million PPP Public-Private partnership PRES Pressure PROV Provisional PSA Port Security Assessment PSC Port State Control PSI Pounds Per Square Inch PSO Port Security Officer PSU Portable Sampling Unit P/V Pressure Vacuum (Valve) PWWD Per Weather Working Day QRC Quick Release Coupling QSCS Quality System Certification System R&D Research And Development RAP Remedial Action Projects RB Rubber Stern Bearing RCC Rescue Coordination Centre RCVR Receiver(s) RDF Radio Direction Finder RE Regulatory Evaluation REEFER Refrigerated Cargo Ship or Container REP Reporting System REV Reversing REVRPT Revised Report RGB Return Gas Blower RINA Royal Institute of Naval Architects RN Rubber Stern Bearing, Non-Continuous Liner on Tailshaft ROB Remaining On-Board (after discharge) RORO Roll On/Roll Off ROS Reduced Operational Status S&W Sediment & Water (formerly BS&W) SA Shipyard Agreement SAA Security Assessment Audit SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade SAFCON Safety Construction Certificates SALM Single Anchor Leg Mooring
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 9
SAR Search And Rescue SAR Subcommittee on Radio Communication and Search and Rescue (IMO) SARMIS SAR Management Information System SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite SARSIM SAR Simulation Model SAS Annual Special Survey of Hull SATPM Saturday P.M. SB Safe Berth SBD System-Based Design SBM Single Buoy Mooring SBT Segregated Ballast Tanks SCA Suez Canal Authority SCVNG Scavenging SD Single Decker SDR Special Drawing Rights SDWT Summer Deadweight SEBS Single-Ended Boiler Survey SELFD Self-Discharging SEEMP Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan SEMI Semi-Submersible (MODU) SF Stowage Factor SG Specific Gravity SH Superheater SHEX Sundays and Holidays Excluded SHINC Sundays and Holidays Included SI International System of Units SIGTTO Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators SIRE Ship Inspection Report Exchange (OCIMF) SI Statutory Instrument SIS Special Intermediate Survey SL Bale (Capacity) SLC Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate SLE Safety Equipment Certificate SLF Subcommittee on Stability Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety (IMO) SLP Passenger Ship Safety Certificate SLR Cargo Ship Safety Radio Telegraphy/Telephony Certificate SMC Safety Management Certificate (IMO) SMCP Standard Marine Communication Phrases (IMO) SMS Safety Management System (ISM) SMT Ship's Management Team SNC Survey Not Complete SOC Shipper Owned Container SOF Statement of Facts SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea (International Convention) (IMO) SOPEP Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 10
SOS Morse Code Distress Signal (…---…) SOx Sulphur Oxide SP Safe Port SPM Single Point Mooring System SRA Ship Repair Agreement SRBL Signing and Releasing Bill of Lading SS Special Survey SS Steam Ship SSA Special Periodical Survey of Automated Control System SSHEX Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Excluded SSHINC Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included SSIGS Special Periodical Survey of Inert Gas System SSM Special Periodical Survey of Machinery SSO Ship Security Officer SSP Ship Security Plan STBD Starboard STCW Standards For Training Certification and Watchkeeping (IMO Convention) STCW-F Standards For Training Certification and Watchkeeping Fishing Vessel Personnel (IMO Convention) STD Standard STEM Subject To Enough Merchandise STW Subcommittee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (IMO) SUB Subject (To .....) SUEZMAX A tanker of the maximum size capable of transit of the Suez Canal (approx. 150,000- 200,000 DWT) SWAD Salt Water Arrival Draft SWATH Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull SWDD Salt Water Departure Draft TBN To Be Nominated T/C or TC Time Charter TCV Total Calculated Volume TDWT Tropical Deadweight TEU Twenty Foot (Container) Equivalent TF Tropical Fresh TLO Total Loss Only TLP Tension Leg Platform TNK Tank TO Tender Offer TOCA Transfer Of Class Agreement (IACS) TOT Total Loss TOV Total Observed Volume TPI Tons Per Inch (Immersion) TPC Tons Per Centimeter (Immersion) TRANS Transverse TRIM & STAB Trim And Stability Booklet
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 11
TW Twin Screw TYP Type UC Unanimous Consent ULCC Ultra Large Crude Carrier (over 320,000 DWT) UN United Nations UNCITRAL United Nations Commission on International Trade Law UNCLOS UN Law of the Sea Convention UNCSD United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development UNCTAD United Nations Commission on Trade and Development UNHCR United Nations High Commission on Refugees USCG United States Coast Guard UT Universal Time UU Unless Uses UUTWCTAUTC Unless Used In Which Case Time Actually Used To Count VAT Value Added Tax VCF Volume Correction Factor VCG Vertical Center of Gravity VCV Vapor Control Valve VIDS Vessel Identification System VLBC Very Large Bulk Carrier (over 180,000 DWT) VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier (between 160,000 - 320,000 DWT) VLGC Very Large Gas Carrier VLLNGC Very Large LNG Carrier VMRS Vessel Movement Reporting System VPD Vessel Pays Dues VPQ Vessel Particulars Questionnaire VRP Vessel Response Plan VRS Vapor Recovery System VSOA Vessel Safety and Operations Audit VTS Vessel Traffic System W Waived WB Water Ballast WBT Water Ballast Tank WCCON Whether Customs Cleared Or Not WCO World Customs Organization WIBON Whether In Berth Or Not WIFPON Whether In Free Pratique Or Not WIPON Whether In Port Or Not WLTHOHC Water Line-To-Hatch Coaming WNA Winter North Atlantic WOG Without Guarantee WOG Without Guaranty WP Weather Permitting WRK Wrecked WS Worldscale
Maritime Acronyms [Type here] 12
WTBS Water-Tube Boiler Survey WTO World Trade Organization WTR Water WWD Weather Working Days WWR When, Where Ready XOL Excess Of Loss (Insurance) YAR York Antwerp Rules YGS Year of Grace Survey YRS Years Z Zulu (GMT/Universal Time)