Knowledge base
Shipping Glossary
A practical guide to the acronyms, charges, and operational terms shaping modern freight movement.
69
terms
4
groups
Section
19 terms
Document
Core shipping documents and commercial paperwork that keep cargo movement transparent and traceable.
A/N
Arrival Notice
BKG
Booking
B/L
Bill of Lading
CM
Correction Memo
D/O
Delivery Order
EIR
Equipment Interchange Receipt
ETA
Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD
Estimated Time of Departure
ETB
Estimated Time of Berth
FEU
Forty Foot Equivalent Unit
L/G
Letter of Guarantee
L/C
Letter of Credit
OB
On Board
POL
Port of Loading
PLR
Place Receipt
POD
Port of Discharge
PLD
Place of Delivery
T/S Port
Transhipment Port
TEU
Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit
Section
29 terms
Sales & Marketing
Pricing structures, cost components, and sales terms used throughout quotation and booking discussions.
AI
All In Rate
M/T
Measurement Ton / Basis
OFT
Ocean Freight
W/T
Weight Ton
BAF
Bunker Adjustment Factor (Bunker Surcharge)
CAF
Currency Adjustment Factor (Currency Surcharge)
CHC
Container Handling Charge
CIC
Container Imbalance Charge
CBR
Critical Bunker Recovery
CRS
Cost Recovery Surcharge
DEM
Demurrage
DET
Detention
EBS
Emergency Bunker Surcharge
FAF
Fuel Adjustment Factor
IPS
ICD Pendency Surcharge
SPS
International Ship and Port Facility Security Charge
OWS
Over Weight Surcharge
PSS
Peak Season Surcharge
PCS
Port Congestion Surcharge
RCS
Reefer Consumption Surcharge
SPA
Saudi-Arabia Port Additional Charge
STF
Stuffing and Unstuffing Charge
THC
Terminal Handling Charge
WRP
War Risk Premium
YAS
Yen Appreciation Surcharge
C & F
Cost & Freight
CIF
Cost, Insurance, Freight
FOB
Free On Board
FIO
Free In / Free Out Term
Section
11 terms
Operation
Operational terms for container handling, cargo acceptance, and terminal execution.
DG
Dangerous Cargo
FO
Open Top
FR
Flat Rack
GP
General Purpose
RF
Reefer Container
SD
Standard Container
SD
Steel Dry
LCL
Less Than Container Load
FCL
Full Container Load
CFS
Container Freight Station
CY
Container Yard
Section
10 terms
Other
Additional logistics and cargo terms helpful for everyday freight coordination and information flow.
NVOCC
(Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier)
BCO
Beneficial Cargo Owner
CBM
Cubic Meter
COC
Carrier Own Container
COD
Change Of Destination
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange
PTI
Pre-trip Inspection
ROB
Remain on Board
SOC
Shippers Own Container
S/C
Straddle Carrier