Page 13 - Glossary of Shipping Terms

SHIPPING TERMS

TERM DESCRIPTION
Net Weight
Non-negotiable B/L 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 Operational Reefers Copy of original bill of lading which cannot be negotiated with bank.

NRCS Refrigerated containers that may be used to ship general cargo without the fridges running. Shipping
lines usually offer reduced rates for the use of their NORs if they need to re-position them to a particular
Non-vessel Owning / port where the demand of Reefer containers are high for exports.
Operating Common
Carrier (N.V.O.C.C.) National Regulator for compulsory specification – formerly the SABS an independent organisation that
NVOCC is mandated by law to ensure various commodities like motor vehicles, electronics etc comply with the
OBL regulatory standard as specified by legislation.

Ocean Bill of Lading (a) A cargo consolidator of small shipments in ocean trade, generally soliciting business and arranging
(Ocean B/L) 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.
Ocean Freight
On Board See Non-vessel Owning/Operating Common Carrier or N.V.O.C.C.
On Board B/L
On Deck See Original Bill of lading or O.B.L.
Open-Top Container
Document indicating that the exporter will consign a shipment to an international carrier for
Order (To) 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
Origin simply showing proof of identity. If a negotiable B/L is used, the buyer must first pay for the goods, post
Original Bill of Lading a bond or meet other conditions agreeable to the seller.
(O.B.L.)
Overheight Cargo See Freight.
Overwidth Cargo Means that cargo has been loaded on board a combined transport mode of conveyance. Used to satisfy
P.& I. the requirements of a letter of credit, in the absence of an express requirement to the contrary.
P.O.D. A B/L in which a carrier acknowledges that goods have been placed on board a certain vessel.
P.O.L.
P.O.R. A special stowage instruction to confine the cargo stowage must be on deck rather than under deck.
A container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded
Partial Shipments from the top.
Payload
Per Diem The phrase To Order is sometimes shown on Bills of Lading against consignee: this means that the Bill
Perils of the Sea of Lading must be endorsed in blank by the shipper (i.e. not to any particular named party which makes
Perishable Cargo it bearer document and it becomes transferable by delivery.)

Location where shipment begins its movement at cargo's expense.

A document which requires proper signatures for consummating carriage of contract.

Cargo stowed in an open-top container; projects above the uppermost level of the roof struts.
A container with goods protruding beyond the sides of the container/flat rack onto which they are
packed.
Protection and Indemnity, an insurance term.
Port of Discharge where cargo is discharged from vessel. In case of transhipment is needed, there can
be a number of POD during the course of shipment until it reaches the final POD.
Port of Loading where loading to vessel takes place
Point or Place of Receipt. Starting point of carrier’s liability where cargo is received from shipper and
under carrier’s custody for transportation to final destination.
Under letters of credit, one or more shipments are allowed by the phrase" partial shipments permitted."
In bulk shipments a tolerance of 3 percent is allowed.
The revenue-producing part of the cargo.
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.
Those causes of loss for which the carrier is not legally liable. The elemental risks of ocean transport.

Cargo subject to decay or deterioration.

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