Reference, A to Z
Maritime Dictionary
The full A to Z reference of maritime and shipping terminology: nautical terms, abbreviations and industry definitions, by letter and by topic. Each entry is defined in one paragraph and linked to related terms and to the desks that work with it.
Entries updated May 2026
202
terms defined
The curated primer. The Glossary explains the core chartering, S&P, operations and compliance terms in plain English, each linked to where we measure it.
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A
10 terms
AISAutomatic Identification System, a tracking system that uses VHF radio transponders on ships to automatically exchange vessel identification, position, course, speed, and other data with nearby ships and shore-based systems.Abandon ShipThe order given by the master to evacuate a vessel when the ship is in imminent danger of sinking or when conditions aboard pose an immediate threat to life.AbeamA direction at right angles (90 degrees) to the fore-and-aft centerline of a vessel.Admiralty LawThe body of private international law governing maritime activities and disputes, including navigation, shipping, salvage, pollution, and seafarers' rights.AframaxA medium-sized tanker with a deadweight tonnage between 80,000 and 120,000 DWT, named after the Average Freight Rate Assessment (AFRA) system.AnchorA heavy device lowered to the seabed on a chain or cable to hold a vessel in position.AnchorageA designated area of water near a port where vessels anchor while waiting for a berth, pilot, favourable tide, or customs clearance.Arrest of ShipA legal procedure in admiralty law by which a claimant detains a vessel to obtain security for a maritime claim.AsternBehind the vessel, or moving in a backward direction.Auxiliary EngineA secondary diesel engine on board a vessel used primarily to drive electrical generators that supply power for the ship's hotel load, cargo-handling equipment, navigation systems, and other onboard services.
B
18 terms
Ballast TankTanks within a vessel's hull that can be filled with or emptied of seawater to adjust the vessel's trim, stability, and draft.Ballast Water TreatmentSystems installed on vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged overboard, removing or neutralising harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.Bareboat CharterA charter party agreement in which the shipowner provides only the vessel without crew, provisions, or insurance.BareconA standard bareboat charter party form published by BIMCO, widely used in the shipping industry for bareboat or demise charter agreements.BeamThe width of a vessel at its widest point, measured at the midship section.BearingThe horizontal direction of one point from another, measured clockwise from true north, magnetic north, or the heading of a vessel.Beaufort ScaleA scale of wind force ranging from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane force) developed by Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in 1805.BerthA designated location in a port or harbour where a vessel is moored for loading, discharging, or other operations.BilgeThe lowest internal part of the hull where the sides curve inward to meet the bottom.Bill of LadingA legal document issued by a carrier or its agent to a shipper that serves as a receipt for cargo, evidence of the contract of carriage, and a document of title to the goods.BollardA strong vertical post on a ship's deck or on a quay used for securing mooring lines.BowThe forward-most part of a vessel's hull, designed to reduce the resistance of the hull cutting through water.Bow ThrusterA transverse propulsion device installed in a tunnel through the bow of a vessel, used to improve manoeuvrability at low speeds during berthing and unberthing operations.Break BulkCargo that is shipped as individual pieces or packages rather than in containers, including items such as steel, lumber, project cargo, heavy machinery, and bagged goods.BridgeThe command and navigation center of a vessel, typically located on the uppermost deck of the superstructure, providing a clear view forward and to both sides.Bulk CarrierA merchant vessel designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo such as grain, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds.BulkheadA vertical partition wall within a vessel's hull that divides the interior into separate compartments.BunkerMarine fuel used to power a vessel's main engines and auxiliary machinery.
C
21 terms
CIFCost, Insurance and Freight, an Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel and pays the cost of freight and marine insurance to the named destination port.CIICarbon Intensity Indicator, an operational measure introduced by the IMO that rates a ship's annual carbon emissions relative to the cargo carried and distance sailed.COAContract of Affreightment, a long-term agreement between a shipper and a shipowner to transport a specified quantity of cargo over a given period, with individual shipments made on vessels nominated by the owner.Cable LayerA specialised vessel designed to lay submarine cables on the seabed, including telecommunications cables and power cables for offshore wind farms.CabotageThe restriction of commercial shipping operations within a country's coastal waters to vessels flying the national flag.CapesizeA large dry bulk carrier, typically between 100,000 and 200,000 DWT, too large to transit the Suez or Panama Canals and therefore routed around the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn.Car CarrierA specialised Ro-Ro vessel, also known as a Pure Car Carrier (PCC) or Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), designed to transport automobiles and light vehicles.Cargo HoldAn enclosed space within a vessel's hull designed for the stowage of cargo.ChandlerA ship chandler is a supplier of provisions, stores, and equipment to vessels in port.Chart DatumThe reference level from which depths on a nautical chart are measured, typically the lowest astronomical tide (LAT).Charter PartyA contract between a shipowner and a charterer for the hire of a vessel or part of its cargo space for a specified voyage, period of time, or on a bareboat basis.Chemical TankerA specialised tanker built to transport liquid chemicals in bulk, fitted with coated or stainless-steel cargo tanks and sophisticated cargo-handling systems.Classification SocietyAn organization that establishes and maintains technical standards for the construction and operation of ships and offshore structures.Collision RegulationsThe International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), a set of rules published by the IMO that establish navigation protocols for vessels to follow in order to avoid collisions.Compass RoseA graduated circle printed on nautical charts showing both true and magnetic north, used to determine bearings and courses.Container ShipA cargo vessel designed exclusively to carry intermodal containers in a cellular structure, ranging from small feeder ships of a few hundred TEU to ultra-large container vessels exceeding 24,000 TEU.ContainerizationThe system of transporting goods in standardised intermodal containers that can be efficiently transferred between ships, trucks, and rail cars without handling the cargo itself.CourseThe intended horizontal direction of travel measured as an angle from north.Course Over GroundThe actual direction of a vessel's movement over the earth's surface, as determined by GPS or other positioning systems.CustomsThe government authority responsible for controlling the import and export of goods at ports, collecting duties and taxes, and enforcing trade regulations.CycloneA general term for a tropical cyclone occurring in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, characterised by an organised system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined low-pressure centre and sustained winds of 64 knots or greater.
D
13 terms
DSCDigital Selective Calling, a semi-automated method of establishing a radio call using digital codes transmitted on VHF, MF, and HF radio frequencies.Dead FreightA charge payable by the charterer for the unused cargo space when the agreed quantity of cargo is not provided for loading.Dead ReckoningA method of estimating a vessel's current position by advancing a known position using the course steered, speed through the water, and time elapsed.Deadweight TonnageThe total weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast water, provisions, passengers, and crew, measured in metric tonnes.DemurrageA charge payable by the charterer to the shipowner when a vessel is detained in port beyond the agreed laytime allowed for loading or discharging cargo.DispatchA financial reward paid by the shipowner to the charterer when a vessel completes loading or discharging in less than the agreed laytime.DoldrumsThe equatorial region of calm or light variable winds between the northern and southern trade wind belts, also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).DraftThe vertical distance between the waterline and the lowest point of a vessel's hull, indicating how deep the ship sits in the water.Draft SurveyA method of determining the weight of cargo loaded or discharged from a vessel by reading the vessel's draft marks before and after cargo operations.DraughtThe British English spelling of draft, referring to the depth of water a vessel draws.DredgerA vessel equipped with machinery for excavating and removing sediment from the seabed or riverbed to maintain navigable waterways, deepen ports, and reclaim land.Dry DockingThe process of placing a vessel in a dry dock for inspection, maintenance, repair, and painting of the underwater hull.Dual FuelAn engine technology that allows a marine engine to operate on two different types of fuel, typically LNG and conventional marine diesel or heavy fuel oil.
E
5 terms
ECDISElectronic Chart Display and Information System, a computer-based navigation system that complies with IMO regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper nautical charts.EEXIEnergy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, a measure introduced by the IMO to reduce the carbon intensity of existing ships by requiring them to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard.EPIRBEmergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, a distress alerting device that transmits a signal on 406 MHz to satellites in the Cospas-Sarsat system, providing the vessel's identity and GPS position to search and rescue authorities.Enclosed Space EntryA regulated procedure for entering confined or enclosed spaces aboard a vessel, such as cargo holds, ballast tanks, and void spaces, where the atmosphere may be oxygen-deficient or contain hazardous gases.Engine RoomThe compartment housing the main propulsion machinery, auxiliary engines, generators, boilers, and associated systems that power and operate the vessel.
F
12 terms
FEUForty-foot Equivalent Unit, a measure of container capacity equal to two TEU, based on the standard 40-foot intermodal container.FOBFree On Board, an Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel nominated by the buyer at the named port of shipment.FPSOFloating Production Storage and Offloading unit, a vessel used by the offshore oil and gas industry for the production, processing, and storage of hydrocarbons.FairwayThe main navigable channel in a harbour, river, or approach to a port, typically marked by buoys, beacons, and leading lights.FetchThe uninterrupted distance of open water over which wind blows in a constant direction, directly affecting the size and energy of waves generated.Fire DrillA mandatory practice exercise conducted at regular intervals on board ship to train crew members in fire prevention, detection, and firefighting procedures.Flag SignalsA system of communication using coloured flags flown from a vessel's mast or signal halyard, each representing a letter of the alphabet, a numeral, or a specific meaning.Flag StateThe country in which a vessel is registered and whose flag it flies.ForecastleThe forward section of the upper deck of a vessel, typically raised above the main deck level, where the anchor windlass, mooring equipment, and chain lockers are located.Four-Stroke EngineA type of internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle in four strokes of the piston (two revolutions of the crankshaft).Freight RateThe price charged by a carrier for the transportation of cargo from origin to destination, expressed per tonne, per container (TEU/FEU), or as a lump sum.FunnelThe smokestack or exhaust uptake on a vessel through which engine exhaust gases are discharged to the atmosphere.
G
6 terms
GMDSSGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety System, an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats, and aircraft.Gantry CraneA large overhead crane used in container terminals to load and discharge containers from vessels.General AverageA principle of maritime law under which all parties to a sea venture proportionally share any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency.General CargoA versatile merchant vessel designed to carry a variety of packaged goods, including palletised, bagged, or crated cargo, as well as small bulk shipments.Great CircleThe shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, formed by the intersection of the sphere with a plane passing through its center.Gross TonnageA measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel, calculated according to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (1969).
H
6 terms
HandymaxA dry bulk carrier with a deadweight tonnage between 35,000 and 50,000 DWT, typically equipped with onboard cargo gear.HandysizeA small dry bulk carrier with a deadweight tonnage between 15,000 and 35,000 DWT, equipped with onboard cranes for self-loading and discharge.HawseholeAn opening in the hull or bulwark at the bow through which the anchor chain passes.HeadingThe direction in which a vessel's bow is pointed at any given moment, measured in degrees from north.HullThe main body and structural shell of a vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck, that provides buoyancy and watertight integrity.HurricaneA mature tropical cyclone that develops in the North Atlantic or eastern North Pacific Ocean, characterised by sustained wind speeds of 64 knots or greater.
I
6 terms
IMOThe International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.ISM AuditAn inspection conducted by flag state authorities or recognised organisations to verify that a shipping company and its vessels comply with the International Safety Management Code.ISM CodeThe International Safety Management Code, adopted by the IMO, which establishes an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention.ISPS CodeThe International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities after the September 2001 attacks.Immersion SuitA protective suit designed to reduce body heat loss when immersed in cold water, required to be carried on vessels operating in cold-water regions.IncotermsInternational Commercial Terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyers and sellers in international trade transactions.
J
1 term
K
2 terms
L
15 terms
LNG CarrierA specialised tanker designed to transport liquefied natural gas at approximately minus 162 degrees Celsius.LNG FuelLiquefied natural gas used as a marine fuel to power ship engines, offering significant reductions in sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions compared to conventional heavy fuel oil.LPG CarrierA specialised tanker designed to transport liquefied petroleum gas, primarily propane and butane, either under pressure, refrigerated, or a combination of both.LRITLong Range Identification and Tracking, an international system for tracking vessels globally, adopted by the IMO as an amendment to SOLAS.LashingThe process of securing cargo aboard a vessel using chains, wires, ropes, turnbuckles, and other fittings to prevent movement during the voyage.LatitudeThe angular distance of a point north or south of the equator, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees at the poles.Lay DaysThe range of dates within which a vessel must arrive at the loading port and present notice of readiness to the charterer.LaytimeThe period of time agreed in the charter party during which the shipowner makes the vessel available for loading or discharging cargo without additional charge.Lee ShoreA shore that lies downwind of a vessel, toward which the wind is blowing.LeewayThe sideways drift of a vessel from its intended course, caused by wind pushing against the hull and superstructure.Letter of CreditA financial instrument issued by a bank on behalf of a buyer guaranteeing payment to the seller upon presentation of specified shipping documents, including the bill of lading.Life RaftAn inflatable or rigid survival craft that provides emergency flotation for persons abandoning ship.LifeboatA rigid survival craft carried on board a vessel to evacuate crew and passengers in an emergency.Limitation of LiabilityA legal principle in maritime law that allows a shipowner to limit the amount of their financial liability for claims arising from maritime incidents.LongitudeThe angular distance of a point east or west of the Prime Meridian at Greenwich, measured in degrees from 0 to 180.
M
14 terms
MARPOLThe International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.MLCThe Maritime Labour Convention, adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2006, which sets out seafarers' rights to decent conditions of work across a wide range of subjects.Magnetic NorthThe direction indicated by a magnetic compass needle toward the earth's magnetic north pole, which differs from true north by an angle called magnetic variation or declination.Main EngineThe primary propulsion machinery of a vessel, responsible for driving the propeller.Man OverboardAn emergency situation in which a person has fallen from a vessel into the water, commonly referred to by the abbreviation MOB.ManifestA comprehensive document listing all cargo carried on a vessel for a particular voyage, including descriptions, quantities, weights, shippers, and consignees.Maritime LienA privileged claim against a vessel arising from maritime services rendered to the ship or damage caused by the ship.MastA vertical pole or structure rising above the deck of a vessel, used to support navigation lights, radar scanners, communication antennas, and signal flags.MaydayThe internationally recognised voice radio distress signal, spoken three times at the beginning of a radio distress call to indicate that a vessel, aircraft, or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.MeridianA great circle on the earth's surface passing through both the North and South Poles.MonsoonA seasonal prevailing wind in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia that brings heavy rainfall during summer months.Mooring LinesHeavy ropes or wires used to secure a vessel to a berth, buoy, or another vessel.Morse CodeA communication system using sequences of short and long signals (dots and dashes) to represent letters and numbers.Muster StationA designated assembly point on board a vessel where crew and passengers must gather during an emergency drill or actual emergency.
N
3 terms
NAVTEXNavigational Telex, an international automated medium-frequency direct-printing service for delivery of navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts, as well as urgent maritime safety information to ships.Nautical MileA unit of distance used in maritime and air navigation equal to approximately 1,852 metres or 1.151 statute miles.Neap TideThe tide with the smallest range between high and low water, occurring approximately every two weeks when the sun and moon are at right angles relative to the earth during first and third quarter moon phases.
O
1 term
P
12 terms
P&I ClubProtection and Indemnity Club, a mutual insurance association that provides cover for its shipowner and charterer members against third-party liabilities arising from the operation of ships.Pan-PanAn internationally recognised urgency signal, spoken three times at the beginning of a radio message, indicating that there is an urgent situation on board a vessel but no immediate danger to life or the vessel.PanamaxThe largest vessel size that can transit the original Panama Canal locks, with maximum dimensions of approximately 294 metres length, 32.3 metres beam, and 12.04 metres tropical freshwater draft.ParallelA circle on the earth's surface formed by the intersection of a plane parallel to the equator.Permit to WorkA formal documented procedure used to control high-risk work activities on board a vessel, such as hot work, work at height, and electrical isolation.PilotA licensed mariner with extensive local knowledge who embarks on a vessel to advise the master on safe navigation through restricted waters, harbour approaches, and during berthing and unberthing operations.Poop DeckThe raised deck at the stern of a vessel, forming the roof of the aft accommodation or steering gear compartment.Port (Direction)The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward (toward the bow).Port State ControlThe inspection of foreign-flagged ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the vessel and its equipment complies with the requirements of international conventions.Post-PanamaxAny vessel too large to transit the original Panama Canal locks but able to pass through the expanded Neopanamax locks opened in 2016.Product TankerA tanker designed to carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and naphtha.PropellerA rotating device with blades mounted on a shaft that converts engine power into thrust to propel the vessel through the water.
Q
1 term
R
4 terms
ReeferA refrigerated cargo vessel designed to transport temperature-sensitive perishable commodities such as fruit, meat, fish, and dairy products.Rhumb LineA line on the earth's surface that crosses all meridians at the same angle, appearing as a straight line on a Mercator projection chart.Ro-RoRoll-on/Roll-off vessel designed for cargo that is driven on and off the ship on wheels, such as cars, trucks, trailers, and heavy machinery.RudderA flat or streamlined vertical plate mounted at the stern of a vessel, used to steer the ship by deflecting water flow when turned.
S
27 terms
SARSearch and Rescue, the coordinated effort to locate and recover persons in distress at sea, involving maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCCs), coast guard units, naval vessels, and commercial ships.SARTSearch and Rescue Transponder, a portable radar beacon used to assist rescue services in locating survivors at sea.SOLASThe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships.SOPEPShipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, a mandatory document carried on all oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above and all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.STS CraneShip-to-Shore crane, a type of gantry crane specifically designed for loading and discharging containers between vessels and the quay.Safety Management SystemA structured and documented system enabling company personnel to effectively implement the corporate safety and environmental protection policy.SalvageThe rescue of a vessel, its cargo, or other property from peril at sea, for which the salvor is entitled to a reward.ScrubberAn exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) installed on ships to remove sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter from engine exhaust gases, enabling the use of high-sulphur fuel oil while meeting MARPOL Annex VI emission limits.Sea StateA description of the condition of the sea surface with respect to wave and swell characteristics, categorised using the Douglas Sea Scale from 0 (calm, glassy) to 9 (phenomenal, waves over 14 metres).SecuriteAn internationally recognised safety signal, spoken three times at the beginning of a radio message, used to broadcast important navigational or meteorological warnings to all vessels in the area.ShaftThe rotating mechanical component that transmits power from the main engine to the propeller.Shaft GeneratorAn electrical generator driven by the main engine through the propeller shaft, used to produce electrical power while the vessel is at sea.Ship ReportingMandatory or voluntary systems requiring vessels to report their position, course, speed, and other information to shore-based authorities when entering or transiting designated areas.Speed Over GroundThe speed of a vessel relative to the earth's surface, as measured by GPS or other positioning systems.Spot RateThe current market price for chartering a vessel or shipping cargo for immediate or near-term loading, as opposed to long-term contract rates.Spring TideThe tide with the greatest range between high and low water, occurring approximately every two weeks when the sun, moon, and earth are aligned during new and full moon phases.StarboardThe right-hand side of a vessel when facing forward (toward the bow).SternThe rear-most part of a vessel's hull where the rudder and propeller are typically located.Stern TubeA watertight tube through which the propeller shaft exits the hull at the stern of the vessel.StevedoreA company or individual responsible for the loading and discharging of cargo from vessels in port.Storm SurgeAn abnormal rise in sea level generated by a storm's winds and low atmospheric pressure, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.Stowage FactorThe volume in cubic metres or cubic feet occupied by one metric tonne of a particular cargo when stowed in a vessel's hold.SuezmaxThe largest vessel size capable of transiting the Suez Canal in a laden condition, typically between 120,000 and 200,000 DWT with a maximum beam of about 50 metres and a draft limit of approximately 20.1 metres.SupercargoA person employed by the cargo owner or charterer to travel on a vessel and oversee the loading, stowage, care, and discharge of the cargo.SuperstructureThe enclosed structure built above the main deck of a vessel, housing the bridge, accommodation, galley, and other operational spaces.SupramaxA dry bulk carrier with a deadweight tonnage between 50,000 and 65,000 DWT, usually fitted with cranes capable of handling 30 tonnes or more.SwellLong-period ocean waves generated by distant weather systems that travel far from their origin, distinct from wind waves generated by local conditions.
T
14 terms
TEUTwenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measure of container ship capacity based on the dimensions of a standard 20-foot intermodal container (approximately 6.1 metres long, 2.44 metres wide, and 2.59 metres high).TankerA vessel designed to transport liquid cargo in bulk, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, chemicals, and vegetable oils.TerminalA specialised facility within a port designed for the handling of a specific type of cargo or vessel.Tidal RangeThe vertical difference between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide at a particular location.Time CharterA charter party agreement in which the shipowner provides a manned and equipped vessel to the charterer for a specified period.Tonnage CertificateAn official document issued by a classification society or flag state authority certifying a vessel's gross tonnage (GT) and net tonnage (NT) as measured under the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (1969).Trade WindsPersistent easterly winds that blow from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the equatorial low-pressure belt, from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.TransitThe passage of a vessel through a canal, strait, or narrow waterway.True NorthThe direction along the earth's surface toward the geographic North Pole, as opposed to magnetic north.TsunamiA series of ocean waves with extremely long wavelengths caused by large-scale disturbances of the ocean floor, typically from undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or submarine landslides.TugA powerful, compact vessel designed to assist larger ships by towing or pushing them during berthing, unberthing, and manoeuvring in ports and confined waterways.Tug AssistThe use of tugs to assist a vessel during manoeuvring in confined waters, berthing, and unberthing operations.Two-Stroke EngineA type of internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle in two strokes of the piston (one revolution of the crankshaft).TyphoonA mature tropical cyclone that develops in the western North Pacific Ocean, characterised by sustained wind speeds of 64 knots (119 km/h) or greater.
U
2 terms
ULCCUltra Large Crude Carrier, the largest class of tanker with a deadweight tonnage exceeding 320,000 DWT.UNCLOSThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a comprehensive international agreement that defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans.
V
4 terms
VHF RadioVery High Frequency radio, the primary means of short-range voice communication between ships and between ship and shore in the maritime environment.VLCCVery Large Crude Carrier, a tanker with a deadweight tonnage typically between 200,000 and 320,000 DWT, primarily used for transporting crude oil on long-haul routes.VTSVessel Traffic Service, a shore-based monitoring system that provides active traffic management of vessel movements within a port or waterway.Voyage CharterA charter party agreement in which the shipowner agrees to carry a specific cargo between named ports for a negotiated freight rate.
W
5 terms
Waste Heat RecoveryA system that captures thermal energy from the main engine's exhaust gases and cooling water to generate additional electrical power or steam.WaypointA predetermined geographical position defined by latitude and longitude coordinates, used as a reference point for navigation and route planning.WharfA structure built along the waterfront for the berthing and servicing of vessels, similar to a quay but sometimes including the warehouse and open storage areas behind the berthing face.WindlassA mechanical device located on the forecastle used for raising and lowering the anchor and its chain cable.Wreck Removal ConventionThe Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, adopted in 2007, which provides a legal basis for states to remove or have removed shipwrecks that pose a hazard to navigation or the marine environment.