SHIPPING GLOSSARY:

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Manifest	Document that lists in detail all the bills of lading issued by a vessel or its agent or master, i.e., a detailed summary of the total cargo of a vessel. Used principally for customs purposes. It is also called summary of Bills of lading.
Marine Insurance	Broadly, insurance covering loss or damage of goods at sea. Marine insurance typically compensates the owner of merchandise for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, piracy and various other causes but excludes losses that can be legally recovered.
Maritime	Business pertaining to commerce or navigation transacted upon the sea or in seaports in such matters as the court of admiralty has jurisdiction over.
Marks & Nos.	Marks & Numbers placed on packages for export for identification purposes; generally a triangle, square, circle, diamond, or cross with letters and/or numbers and port discharge.
Master Lease	Master lease is one form of a short-term lease, which refers to the leasing of the container from those leasing companies who have master lease agreement with OOCLL. At present, Triton, ICS, Xtra, Cronons and Genstar has such a contract with OOCLL.
Master Lease Leasing Cost	Master lease leasing cost includes container rental, depot lieft on/lift off charge, on/off hire drayage, Drop off charge and Offhire repair cost. Due to off-hire quota limitation, the average on-hire period is around 73 days for 20' gp/40'gp and 102 days for 40'hq. On average basis, the leasing cost is US$500/20'gp, US$700/40'gp and US$800/40'hq.
Mate's Receipt	A receipt signed by a mate of the vessel, acknowledging receipt of cargo by the vessel. The individual in possession of the mate's receipt is entitled to the bill of lading, which in due course is issued in exchange for that receipt.
Maximum Payload	Maximum cargo that can be loaded into a container either by weight or volume.
Maximum Rate	The highest freight rate permitted by a regulatory body to apply between points.
Measurement Ton	1 cubic meter. One of the alternative bases of Freight Tariff.
Microbridge	A landbridge movement in which cargo originating/destined to an inland point is railed or trucked to/from the water port for a shipment to/from a foreign country. The carrier is responsible for cargo and costs from origin to destination. Also known as I.P.I. and Through Service.
Mileage	Distance in miles.
Mini Landbridge (MLB)	An intermodal system for transporting containers from/to a foreign country by water to/from a U.S. ocean port other than the arrival port by rail at through rates and documents.
Mini-Bridge	Cargo moving from/to an inland destination on one bill of lading from/to a foreign port through two U.S. ports.
Minimum Charge	The lowest charge that can be assessed to transport a shipment.
MT	(a) Metric Ton or Cubic meter. (b) Empty container. (c) Multimodal Transport.
Negotiable B/L	Original bill of lading endorsed by shipper that is used for negotiating with banks.
Negotiating Bank	A bank named in the credit; examines the documents and certifies to the issuing bank that the terms are complied with.
Net Tonnage	A vessel's gross tonnage minus deductions of space occupied by accommodation for crew, by machinery, for navigation, by the engine room and fuel. A vessel's net tonnage expresses the space available for passengers and cargo.
Net Weight	Weight of the goods alone without any immediate wrappings, e.g., the weight of the contents of a tin can without the weight of the can. Also called actual net weight.
Non-negotiable B/L	Copy of original bill of lading which cannot be negotiated with the bank.
Non-vessel Owning / Operating Common Carrier (N.V.O.C.C.)	(a) A cargo consolidator of small shipments in ocean trade, generally soliciting business and arranging for or performing containerization functions at the port. (b) A carrier issuing Bs/L for carriage of goods on vessel which he neither owns nor operates.
O.C.P. rate	Overland Common Point rates which are generally lower than local tariff rates, were established by the U.S. West Coast steamship companies in conjunction with railroads serving the western U.S. so that cargo originating or destined to the American Midwest and East would be competitive with all-water rates via the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf ports. O.C.P. rates are also applicable to eastern Canada.
Ocean Bill of Lading (Ocean B/L)	Document indicating that the exporter will consign a shipment to an international carrier for transportation to a specified foreign market. Unlike an inland B/L, the ocean B/L also serves as a collection document. if it is a Straight B/L the foreign buyer can obtain the shipment from the carrier by simply showing proof of identity. If a negotiable B/L is used, the buyer must first pay for the goods, post a bond or meet other conditions agreeable to the seller.
Ocean Route	The all water transportation portion of a route.
On Board	Cargo has been loaded on board a combined transport mode of conveyance. Used to satisfy the requirements of a letter of credit, in the absence of an express requirement to the contrary.
On Board B/L	A B/L in which a carrier acknowledges that goods have been placed on board a certain vessel.
On Deck	A special stowage instruction to confine that the cargo stowage must be on deck rather than under deck.
One-Way lease	Lease that covers the outbound voyage only, after which the container is returned to the lease holder at or near destination.
Open-Top Container	A container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top.
Outbound	Outward bound. Direction of vessel or cargo going out from port of loading or point/place of receipt.
Overheight Cargo	Cargo stowed in an open-top container; projects above the uppermost level of the roof struts.
P.O.D.	Port of Discharge where cargo is discharged from vessel. When transshipment is needed, there can be a number of PODs during the course of shipment until it reaches the final POD.
P.O.L.	Port of Loading where loading to vessel takes place.
P.O.R.	Point or Place of Receipt. Starting point of carrier抯 liability where cargo is received from shipper and under carrier抯 custody for transportation to final destination.
Pallet	A platform (usually two-deck), with or without sides, on which a number of packages or pieces may be loaded to facilitate handling by a lift truck.
Participating Carrier (Tariff)	A transportation line that is a party, under concurrence, to a tariff issued by another transportation line or by a tariff's publishing agent.
Per Diem	A charge made by one transportation line against another for the use of its equipment. The charge is based on a fixed rate per day.
Perishable Cargo	Cargo subject to decay or deterioration.
Pier	The structure to which a vessel is secured for the purpose of loading and unloading cargo.
Pier-to-House (P/H)	See CFS/CY.
Pier-to-Pier (P/P)	See CFS/CFS.
Pilot	A person whose office or occupation is to steer ships, particularly along a coast or into and out of a harbor.
Place of Acceptance	See P.O.R.
Place of Delivery	See Final Destination.
Place of Receipt	Location where cargo enters the care and custody of the carrier.
Port	(a) Harbor with piers or docks; (b) Left side of a ship when facing the bow; (c) Opening in a ship's side for handling freight.
Port of arrival	Location where imported merchandise is off loaded from the importing aircraft or vessel.
Port of Call	Port where a steamer discharges or receives traffic.
Port of Discharge	Port where cargo is unloaded from vessel.
Port of Entry	Port where cargo actually enters a country where the cargo is not part of its commerce.
Port of Loading (POL)	Port where cargo is loaded to vessel.
Prepaid (Ppd.)	One of the payment status where freight and charges are required to be paid by shipper before original bill of lading is released to them.
PSA	Port of Singapore Authority
Quarantine	The period during which a vessel is detained in isolation until free from any contagious disease among the passengers or crew. The word is now applied to the sanitary regulations which are the modern substitute for quarantine. During the quarantine period, the Q flag is hoisted.
Quarantine buoy	One of the yellow buoys at the entrance of a harbor indicating the place where vessel must anchor for the exercise of quarantine regulations.
Quarantine declaration	A document signed by the captain and the ship抯 doctor before the port health officer when a ship arrives at the quarantine station. It gives the name of the ship, tonnage, number of crew, first port of voyage and date of sailing, intermediate ports called at, number of passengers for the port at which the vessel is arriving, number of transit passengers, cases of infectious diseases during voyage, deaths, nature of cargo, name of agents. The port health officer then proceeds with the medical inspection of passengers and crew. Also called entry declaration.
Quarantine dues	A charge against all vessels entering a harbor to provide for the maintenance of medical control service. Also called quarantine fees.
Quarantine flag	A yellow flag used as a sanitary signal. It is displayed by all vessels entering a harbor; also when a contagious or infectious disease exists on board or when the vessel has been placed in quarantine.
Quarantine harbor	A place where vessels in quarantine are stationed when arriving from contaminated ports.
Quarantine signal	Signals flown by vessels required to show their state of health. By day "Q" of the international code signifies "Ship is healthy-free pratique requested". Flag "Q" over first substitutes signifies that the ship has had cases of infectious diseases or that there has been unusual mortality among rats on board. Flag "Q" over "L" signifies "Ship is infected". By night a vessel entering harbor exhibits a red light over a white light more than 6 feet apart which signifies that the ship is awaiting free pratique.
Quarantine station	A medical control center located in an isolated spot ashore where patients with contagious diseases from vessel in quarantine are taken. It is also used for passengers and crews of vessel arriving from suspected ports while fumigation or any other disinfection is carried out on board ship.
Rail Onboard B/L	This is unique practice in NAT having the similar function as onboard vessel B/L. In the event of multimodal B/L is prepared, shipper can request a clause on the B/L to satisfy their commercial transaction as LADEN ONBOARD RAIL MMDDYY. The date on the B/L is on which containers are loaded onboard rail flat car. However, the word RAIL is not necessary.
Receipt for shipment B/L	A term used in contradistinction to shipped bill of lading, which is the standard document. Some bankers object to such bill of lading on the ground that the security they offer is imperfect. This kind of bill of lading is normally issued to acknowledge receipt of shipment before cargo loading or before official original bill of lading is issued. Nowadays, not many shippers ask for this kind of bill of lading.
Reefer	In the industry, it is the generic name for a temperature controlled container. The containers, which are insulated, are specially designed to allow temperature controlled air circulation within the container. A refrigeration plant is built into the rear of the container. For OOCL's reefers, power for this plant needs to be provided from an external source.
Relative Humidity	(%) The ratio of the actual amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum it can hold at a given temperature, multiplied by 100.
Relay	To transfer goods from one ship to another of the same ownership. More frequently used by OOCL as T/S (Transshipment).
Release note	Receipt signed by customer acknowledging delivery of goods.
Return air	Air warmed by the container cargo delivered to the evaporator. The temperature of return air often controls the operation of the refrigeration unit.
Revenue ton (R/T)	The greater weight or measurement of goods where 1 ton is either 1000 kilos or 1 cubic meter (for metric system). Also known as bill of lading ton or freight ton. It is used to calculate freight charge.
Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro/Ro)	A feature designed in a specially constructed vessel in both the loading and discharging ports.
Route (Rte.)	The manner in which a shipment moves, i.e., the carriers handling it and the points via which they handle it.
Salvage	The property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the ship herself.
Salvage clause	A marine insurance policy clause which states the proportion of salvage charges for which underwriters are liable.
Salvage lien	A maritime lien which exists when a ship or goods comes into the possession of one who preserves them from peril at sea. All salvage services carry with them a maritime lien on the things saved.
Salvage loss	A loss which it is presumed would, but for certain services rendered, have become a total loss. The charges incurred are "salvage charges". The property saved is the "salvage". When referring to goods a salvage loss is one resulting from shipwreck or from a situation where, by the peril of the sea, the vessel is prevented from proceeding on her voyage and the cargo, or the part that is saved is obliged to be sold at a place short of the port of destination. The term is used in marine insurance when at a point short of destination, it can be shown that it would cost more to forward damaged goods to their destination than the goods would realize on the spot. The underwriters usually pay the difference between the total insured value and the net proceeds of the goods, such a settlement being known as a "salvage loss".
Salvage value	The value on which salvage is awarded. It generally means the value of ship and cargo when they have been brought to a place of safety by the salvors.
Seal (Container)	Metal strip and lead fastener used for locking freight car or truck doors. Seals are numbered for record purposes.
Seal record	A record of the number, condition and marks of identification on seals made at various times and places, referring to the movement of the container between origin and destination.
Self-assessment (of training needs)	The process of asking people what training they need. This approach is particularly valuable in the early stages on a new job, when people are not expected to have full knowledge and skills as yet.
Service contract	As provided in the Shipping Act of 1984, a contract between a shipper (or a shippers' association) and an ocean common carrier (or conference) in which the shipper makes a commitment to provide a certain minimum quantity of cargo or freight revenue over a fixed time period, and the ocean common carrier or conference commits to a certain rate or rate schedule as well as a defined service level (such as assured space, transit time, port rotation or similar service features). The contract may also specify provisions in the event of nonperformance on the part of either party.
Ship chandler	An individual or company selling equipment and supplies for ships.
Ship owner	One of the persons in whom is vested the title of property of a ship or ships.
Shipped bill of lading	A bill of lading issued only after the goods have actually been shipped on board the vessel, as distinguished from the received for shipment bill of lading. Also see on board bill of lading.
Shipped on board	Endorsement on a bill of lading confirming loading of goods on vessel.
Shipper	The person for whom the owners of a ship agree to carry goods to a specified destination and at a specified price. Also called consignor. The conditions under which the transportation is effected are stipulated in the bill of lading.
Shipper owned container	The container used for cargo shipment is owned by the shipper.
Shipper's Export Declaration	A custom house form filled by the shipper of goods to other countries. Also called shipper抯 manifest. It mentions the marks, numbers, quantity, description and value of the goods at time and place of export. There is a different definition in USA as "The shipper's export declaration (SEDs) forms 7525-V and 7525-V-Alternate (Intermodal) and the shipper's export declaration for In-Transit Goods, Form 7513, are JOINT-BUREAU OF THE CENSUS- INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION DOCUMENTS used for compiling the official U.S. export statistics and administering the requirements of the Export Administrative Act.
Shipper's Load & Count	Shipments loaded and sealed by shippers and not checked or verified by the carriers.
Shipping order	Usually for the same set of Shipping Orders, there are a number of copies with the same form and contents but with different names such as the 1st copy is called Shipping Order and remainders are called Shipping Order Copy or Dock Receipt for different purposes such as space control, surveyor and sworn measurer, documentation. As EDI is more popular nowadays and used by both the shipper and Customs, hardcopy Shipping Order is no longer widely used.
Shipping permit	Issued by a shipping or carrier company; authorizes the receiving clerk at pier, dock, warehouse, airport or onboard to receive a stipulated amount of goods or materials from a specified firm.
Shipside Delivery	A special cargo handling instruction for cargo to be delivered rightaway at shipside after discharge.
Short cycling	1) improper air circulation in trailer causing unit to operate for brief periods. 2) thermostats set with improper differential causing it to sequence too rapidly from cool to heat or from cool to off position.
Short Term Lease	Short term lease refers to Master lease (with or without free-day), direct interchange and sublease from TGA/VSAO/Canmar partner as well as Free-use from any other logistic companies.
Shut-out	Goods not carried on intended vessel.
Slot	Space on board a vessel occupied by a container.
Stability	The force that holds a vessel upright or returns it to upright if keeled over. Weights on the lower hold increase stability. A vessel is stiff if it has high stability, tender if it has low stability.
Stack Car	An articulated five-platform railcar that allows containers to be double stacked. A stack car holds ten 40-foot equivalent units.
Stack Train	See 'DST (Double Stack Train) '.
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC)	A standard numerical code used by the United Nations to classify commodities used in international trade.
Starboard	The right side of a ship when facing the bow.
STC	Said to Contain. A standard clause used to protect carrier for cargo stuffed by shipper or its agents.
Stern	The end of a vessel. Opposite of bow.
Stevedore	Terminal operator who is designated to facilitate the operation of loading and discharging vessels and various terminal activities.
Store-Door Delivery (STOR/DOR)	Delivery of goods to consignee's place of business or warehouse by motor vehicle. Refers to a complete package of delivery services performed by a carrier from origin to final consumption point, whether that be a retail, wholesale or other final distribution facility. Abbreviated in CCMS as SDD.
Store-Door PickUp	Picking up an empty container from a carrier, delivering it to a merchant and returning the laden container; the portion of store-door pick up performed by the carrier's trucker.
Stowage	A marine term referring to loading freight into the ships' holds.
Straight Bill of Lading	A term for a non negotiable bill of lading. In the U.S. the Pomerene Act governs its operation.
Stripping	The unloading of a container.
Stuffing	The loading of a container.
Supply air	Cooled or warmed air leaving the evaporator delivered to the interior of the container. Supply air is sometimes called delivery-air.
Surcharge	An extra or additional charge.
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ACI - Documentation - Container INFO - Glossary