Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations are shown in upper case, and without full stops, unless usage demands otherwise. In practice, abbreviations may appear in upper or lower case, or both, and with full stops and without.
3PL Third party logistics qv. Often used to mean a third party logistics provider.
4PL Fourth party logistics qv. Often used to mean a fourth party provider.
AA Always afloat qv.
AB Able seaman qv.
ABS American Bureau of Shipping qv.
Abt About, as, for example, in a telex or email containing an offer for the charter of a ship which might describe her as abt 2,500 tonnes DWCC.
A/C Account. Used when referring to a bank account, for example a current a/c, and when allocating costs, such as in the phrase for the a/c of charterers.
ACCR Automatic container code recognition. For definition, see Container code recognition.
ACI Advance Commercial Information qv.
Ad val Ad valorem.
Addcomm. Address commission qv.
AEO Authorised Economic Operator qv.
AFRA Average freight rate assessments. See London Tanker Brokersâ Panel.
AGV Automatic guided vehicle or automated guided vehicle or automatically guided vehicle.
AHR AntwerpâHamburg range. For definition, see Range of ports.
AHTS vessel Anchor handling tug supply vessel or Anchor handling tug support vessel.
AP (1) All purposes qv.
AP (2) Additional premium.
APS (1) Arrival pilot station qv.
APS (2) Aden Piracy Risk Surcharge qv.
APT After (Aft) peak tank qv.
AS Alongside.
ATDN Any time day or night qv.
ATS All time saved qv.
ATUTC All time used to count qv; actual time used to count qv.
BAF Bunker adjustment factor. See Bunker surcharge.
BB Below bridges.
BBB Before breaking bulk qv.
BBL Bolero bill of lading qv.
BCO Beneficial cargo owner qv.
Bd Bundle.
Bdl Bundle.
BDN Bunker delivery note qv.
Bends Both ends qv.
BHP Brake horse power.
BIB Bag in box qv.
BIMCO Baltic and International Maritime Council qv.
BKI Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia qv.
B/L Bill of lading qv.
Blt Built.
BML Boatmasterâs licence qv.
B/N Booking note qv.
BOL Bill of lading qv.
B/S Bunker surcharge qv.
BSC Bunker surcharge qv.
Bs/L Bills of lading. For definition, see Bill of lading.
BT Berth terms qv.
BTN Brussels Tariff Nomenclature qv.
BV Bureau Veritas qv.
CA Controlled atmosphere. See Controlled atmosphere (CA) container.
CABAF Currency and bunker adjustment factor qv.
CAD Cash against documents qv.
CAF Currency adjustment factor qv.
CBR Commodity box rate qv.
CCR Container code recognition qv.
CCS China Classification Society qv.
CENSA Council of European and Japanese National Shipownersâ Associations qv.
CEU Car equivalent unit qv.
C&F Cost and freight qv.
CFR Cost and freight.
CFS Container freight station qv.
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