Maritime Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

Vessels Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms

DWT – Dead Weight Tonnage

Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) defines the weight a vessel can carry. DWT is used in technical vessel documents and classifications.

LR1 / LR2 – Long Range 1 / Long Range 2

Classed based on physical dimensions and DWT, Long Range 1 (LR1) and Long Range 2 (LR2) tankers are large tankers designed to transport refined and crude cargoes long distances.

MR1 / MR2 – Medium Range 1 – Medium Range 2

Classed based on physical dimensions and DWT, Medium Range 1 (MR1) and Medium Range 2 (MR2) tankers are medium sized tankers designed to transport refined cargo long distances.

VLCC / ULCC – Very Large Crude Carriers / Ultra Large Crude Carriers

A Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) and Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC) are the largest tankers used to transport crude oil products. They can carry in excess of 250,000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT).

RoRo / Ro-Ro

Roll On Roll Off ships (RoRo) are ferries on which cars or similar vehicles can be driven on and off.

IMO Number

A Vessel IMO Number consists of seven digits and begins with the letters “IMO”. Once assigned, the number remains unchanged. IMO numbers were introduced to improve maritime safety, security and to reduce maritime fraud.

Nautical mile

Term of measurement equal to approximately 1,852 meters.

Aft

Back half of the vessel.

Bow

The front of a vessel.

Stern

Back of the vessel.

Astern

Boat moving in reverse.

Port

The left-hand side when looking toward the bow of a ship.

Starboard

The right-hand side when looking toward the bow of a ship.

Maritime Organisation Names – Acronyms and Abbreviations

IMO – International Maritime Organisation

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is an intergovernmental specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating the shipping industry, ranging from safety and pollution standards to maritime security and shipping efficiency requirements.

ICS – International Chamber of Shipping

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is a trade association for the shipping industry who advise intergovernmental agencies on all regulatory, legal, and operational issues and international policies within the shipping industry.

OCIMF – Oil Companies International Marine Forum

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is recognised as the voice of the oil industry, providing expertise and guidance on shipping safety and environmental protection.

ILO – International Labour Organisation

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a global organisation that sets labour standards and policies, promoting decent working conditions for all.

INTERTANKO – International Association of Independent Tanker Owners

The International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) is a trade association representing the interests of independent tanker owners at industry forums. INTERTANKO also supports industry bodies in developing policies for the tanker shipping industry.

INTERCARGO – International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) represents the interests of dry cargo shipowners and promotes safety and environmental protection across the industry.

SIGTTO – Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators

The Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) is a non-profit organisation. The international organisation addresses concerns, shares best practice and experience, and develops policy for improvement, for the maritime operations of companies involved in the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

PSC – Port State Control

Port State Control (PSC) is a regime that oversees the inspection of foreign-registered ships when calling at ports that are not under the jurisdiction of its flag state or fellow MoU members, to verify that the condition of the ship, its equipment, crew and operation comply with international regulations.

CDI – Chemical Distribution Institute

The Chemical Distribution Institute (CDi) is an organisation with an inspection and audit scheme for the global transportation and storage of bulk and packaged chemicals.

Classification Society

Classification societies are non-governmental organisations that define and maintain construction and operation standards for ships and offshore structures.

IACS – International Association of Classification Societies

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is a non- governmental organisation made up of 12 marine classification societies members. Classification standards are set by the member societies of IACS.

ISO – International Standards Organisation

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) is a global organisation that sets international standards based on expertise and consensus-based studies.

Flag State

Flag State is the country where a vessel is registered. Flag States also stipulates the laws under which the vessel and its crew are governed when operating in that jurisdiction and international waters.

Port State

Port State is the country a vessel enters. When in Port State waters, a vessel must comply with the laws of the Port State.

MCA – Maritime and Coastguard Agency

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for implementing British and international maritime law and safety policy.

IAPH – International Association of Ports and Harbours

The International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) is the global trade association for ports and port related businesses worldwide.

USCG – United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) perform the duties of port state, in addition to other roles, control across America.

Industry-wide Maritime Initiatives and Convention Acronyms and Abbreviations

SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is considered the most important international maritime convention. SOLAS sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, safeguarding life onboard.

MARPOL – International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), is an IMO convention relating to operational and environmental pollution standards for vessels. MARPOL is considered one of the most important international maritime conventions.

STCW – Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping

Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping (STCW) sets minimum qualifications for crew members on board vessels.

MLC – Maritime Labour Convention

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) sets out minimum standards and rights to decent conditions of work for seafarers employed on ships.

SIRE – Ship Inspection Report Programme

The Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) is an OCIMF inspection programme for vessels involved in transporting oil, gas, and hazardous chemicals. SIRE is comprised of accredited inspectors who inspect tankers and barges, after which the inspection reports are made available to others in the industry, such as charterers and oil companies.

OVID – Offshore Vessel Inspection Database

The Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID) is an OCIMF inspection programme for the offshore oil and gas industry. OVID is comprised of accredited inspectors who inspect offshore vessels, after which the inspection reports are made available to others in the industry, such as charterers and oil companies.

MTIS – Marine Terminal Information System

The Marine Terminal Information System (MTIS) is an OCIMF programme providing a centralised storage of terminal and berth data. MTIS is a free-to-access database which supports the successful matching of ships and berths.

TMSA – Tanker Management Self-Assessment
OVMSA – Offshore Vessel Management Self-Assessment
MTMSA – Marine Terminal Management Self-Assessment

The OCIMF management self-assessment programmes support the SIRE, OVID and MTIS Programmes, setting industry standards and providing companies with a means to improve and measure their own safety management systems.

ISGOTT – International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals

The International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT) provides guidance and recommendations on the handling and safe carriage of crude oil and petroleum for tankers and terminals.

EBIS – European Barge Inspection Scheme

The European Barge Inspection Scheme (EBIS) is an inspection scheme with the goal of improving standards in barge shipping across Europe.

EEDI – Energy Efficiency Design Index

The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is an IMO technical measure and standard for vessel energy efficiency design. EEDI is regularly updated to stay abreast of technology advances and to drive vessel design innovation.