Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Container, Intermodal and Trade Codes glossary (page 2)

The codes and bodies governing containerized and intermodal trade: customs filing systems (ACE, ACI), CSC inspection under ACEP, AEO and trusted-trader status, AAR rail interchange rules, and the trade-documentation set. Grounds each acronym in the regulatory or interchange framework that lets a container move across modes and borders.

492 defined terms.

Showing 242 on this page (page 2 of 2).

I

IFTSTA: International Multimodal Status Report Message, EDIFACT status update.
IICL: Institute of International Container Lessors.
IICL damage code: Standardized location and damage code defined by IICL for survey and repair.
IICL repair code: Standard repair action codes paired with damage codes in IICL surveys.
IMDG: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
IMO: International Maritime Organization, UN specialized agency for shipping safety, security, and pollution prevention.
IMO type tank: Tank container built to IMO 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 design standards for liquid, gas, or powder.
Import general manifest: IGM, Indian customs document filed by carrier on arrival.
In-bond: Customs status allowing cargo to move under bond without duty payment.
Inland point intermodal: IPI, through service from origin port to an inland US destination.
INTRA-Stat: EU statistical declaration of intra-EU goods movements.
INTTRA: Former carrier EDI network, integrated into E2open.
INVRPT: Inventory Report Message, EDIFACT message reporting equipment or stock inventory.
IPI: Inland Point Intermodal.
ISC: Inland Service Charge.
ISF: Importer Security Filing, US 10+2 advance data for ocean imports.
ISO 1161: Corner fittings standard for series 1 containers.
ISO 1496: ISO standard for container specifications and testing.
ISO 6346: ISO standard for container coding and marking.
ISO 668: ISO standard for container classifications and dimensions.
ISPM 15: Phytosanitary standard for wood packaging material.
ISPS Code: International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, mandatory under SOLAS XI-2.
ISPS surcharge: Carrier fee recovering ISPS compliance costs.
ITC: International Trade Commission, US agency on trade remedies.
ITN: Internal Transaction Number returned by AES after acceptance.

J

Jacket: Outer protective casing on a tank container.
Jettison: Throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship, may give rise to general average.
JIT: Just-in-time, supply chain technique with low buffer stock.
Joint service: Vessel service operated jointly by two or more carriers.

K

Kingpin: Connector on the front of a chassis or trailer that locks into a tractor's fifth wheel.
Knock-down container: Folding flatrack or tanktainer frame for empty reposition.
KPI: Key performance indicator used in terminal and shipping line operations.

L

L5G1: ISO 6346 size-type code for 45 ft high-cube dry container.
Laden: Loaded with cargo.
Landbridge: Through service moving containers across a continent by rail rather than around it.
Landing certificate: Customs proof of delivery into destination country.
Lashing: Securing containers on a vessel with rods, turnbuckles, and twistlocks.
Lashing bridge: Elevated platform above the hatch covers from which containers are lashed.
Lashing rod: Steel bar tensioned by a turnbuckle to lash containers.
LCL: Less than container load.
Leasing: Long-term or short-term hire of containers from a leasing company.
Letter of credit: Bank instrument guaranteeing payment under specified document conditions.
Liability limit: Maximum carrier liability per package or kilogram under Hague-Visby and similar regimes.
Liner: Vessel operating to a published schedule on a fixed route.
Liner in/out: Freight terms covering loading and discharge at sea-carrier expense.
Liner terms: Owner pays loading and discharging as part of freight.
Live load: Trucker waits while container is stuffed or stripped.
LO/LO: Lift-on/lift-off vessel operation.
Loadline: Markings on vessel hull indicating maximum permissible draft.
LOLO: Same as LO/LO.
Long ton: 2,240 lb, occasional unit in older charter parties.

M

M+R: Maintenance and repair of containers.
Maersk Line: A.P. Moller-Maersk container line, founding partner of Gemini.
Manifest: Cargo manifest filed with authorities.
MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols; the IMO treaty governing marine pollution across six annexes.
Master B/L: Bill of lading issued by the ocean carrier to an NVOCC or forwarder.
Mate's Receipt: Receipt for goods loaded, preceding the bill of lading.
MAWB: Master Air Waybill.
MBL: Master bill of lading.
MDGF: Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form, IMO-recommended consolidated DG declaration for sea moves.
Mega-vessel: Containership above approximately 18,000 TEU.
Megamax: Largest ULCV class, around 24,000 TEU.
Merchant haulage: Container haulage arranged by the shipper, not the carrier.
MFN: Most Favoured Nation tariff rate.
MLB: Minilandbridge, ocean-rail intermodal service between a US coast port and a US inland or opposite-coast city.
MOL: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, now part of Ocean Network Express.
Mother vessel: Mainline vessel served by feeders.
MOVINS: Stowage Instruction Message, EDIFACT message sent from carrier to terminal with planned moves.
MRN: Movement Reference Number, EU customs declaration identifier.
MSC: Maritime Safety Committee.
Multimodal: Transport using two or more modes under a single contract.
Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form: MDGF.

N

NAFTA: Former North American Free Trade Agreement, succeeded by USMCA.
NCTS: New Computerised Transit System, EU and UK common transit declaration system.
Neopanamax: Containership sized to the expanded Panama Canal locks.
Net mass: Mass of cargo excluding container tare and packaging.
Net tonnage: Vessel measurement representing earning capacity.
NIT: Nominated Inland Terminal, depot used by a particular carrier.
Non-stackable: Container or cargo unit that cannot bear units stacked on top.
Notify party: Party notified of cargo arrival but not necessarily consignee.
NRA: Negotiated Rate Arrangement, FMC-filed confidential rate agreement.
NSA: NVOCC Service Arrangement, similar FMC instrument for NVOCCs.
NVOCC: Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier, contracting carrier without owned ships.

O

OBL: Original Bill of Lading.
OCEMA: Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association, US chassis and equipment pool body.
OCP: Overland Common Point, historic US rate territory served by inland transport from West Coast ports.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer, often relevant to project cargo bookings.
OFAC: US Office of Foreign Assets Control, administers maritime sanctions.
On-carriage: Inland transport leg after main sea carriage.
ONE: Ocean Network Express, Japanese container line.
OOCL: Orient Overseas Container Line, COSCO Shipping Group brand.
OOG: Out of Gauge, cargo exceeding internal container dimensions, typically on flatrack or open top.
Open top: Container with removable tarpaulin roof, ISO type suffix UT.
Order B/L: Negotiable bill of lading "to order" of a named party.
Origin: Country where goods are produced for tariff purposes.
Out of service: Container under repair or off-hire and unavailable for booking.
Overhang: Portion of hull outside the perpendiculars.
Overheight: Cargo or container exceeding standard height; HC, oversized flatrack.
Overlength: Cargo or container exceeding standard length.
Overwidth: Cargo or container exceeding standard width.
OWS: Owners' surveyor, attending vessel and container damage inspections.

P

P&I Club: Mutual insurance association covering protection-and-indemnity risks.
PA: Port Authority.
Packing list: Detailed list of contents in each package.
PARTIN: Party Information Message, EDIFACT message exchanging master data on trading partners.
PCS: Port Community System.
PCT: Per Container Ton, rate basis in older liner tariffs.
PCU: Power Control Unit on reefer containers.
Pendulum service: Liner service combining two major trades through a hub.
PES: Periodic Examination Scheme, CSC inspection regime alternative to ACEP.
PFR: Pre-Filed Roll, used in some US LCL exports.
Phytosanitary certificate: Plant health certificate.
Pier to pier: Carriage terms from one port pier to another.
Pin: See twistlock pin and chassis pin.
PLA: Port of Loading Acknowledgement.
Plug: Reefer power outlet at terminal, ship, or yard.
POD: Port of Discharge.
POL: Port of Loading.
PoR: Port of Receipt.
Pre-carriage: Inland leg before main carriage.
PRICAT: Price/Sales Catalogue Message, EDIFACT message used in some forwarding tariffs.
Pro forma invoice: Provisional invoice issued before shipment for permits and finance.
Product code: Generic term for an HS subheading or company SKU.
Project cargo: Heavy lift or oversized cargo for projects.
PSS: Peak Season Surcharge, seasonal uplift on transpacific and other peak-demand trades.

Q

Quay: Solid berthing structure parallel to the shore.
Quay Crane: Container terminal ship-to-shore crane.
Quota: Allowable catch share for a fleet, vessel, or country.

R

Rail ramp: Intermodal terminal where containers are loaded onto rail wagons.
Rake: Inclination of a mast or stem.
Re-export: Export of previously imported goods, sometimes under drawback.
Re-stow: Moving a container on board to another slot after partial discharge.
Receipt: Carrier's acknowledgement of cargo, evidenced by bill of lading or mate's receipt.
Reefer: Refrigerated container, ISO group R, common codes 22R1, 42R1, 45R1.
Reefer Plug: Onboard or terminal 440 V socket for reefer power.
Refrigerant: Working fluid in reefer machinery, typically R134a or R513A.
Restricted party: Party on a sanctions list whose transactions are prohibited.
Return depot: Empty-container yard nominated by the carrier for return after stripping.
RIPI: Reversed Inland Point Intermodal, US service via an East Coast port to an inland West-of-Mississippi destination originally tariffed via the West Coast.
Ro-Ro: Roll-on/Roll-off vessel for wheeled cargo, occasionally combined with container decks.
ROB: Remaining on Board.
Roll: Rotational motion about the longitudinal axis.
Routing order: Buyer's instruction specifying the carrier and routing to be used by the shipper.
RT: Refrigerated Tank container or, in another usage, Revenue Ton.
RTC: Reefer Tank Container.
RTG: Rubber-Tyred Gantry crane in container yards.

S

SAD: Single Administrative Document, EU customs declaration form.
Safety Approval Plate: Metal plate on a container recording CSC approval and exam history.
SATL: Semi-Automatic Twistlock, deck twistlock that engages automatically on stacking but is released manually.
Schedule B: 10-digit US export statistical commodity code aligned with the HS.
Schedule reliability: On-time arrival percentage of container services.
Sea waybill: Non-negotiable transport document.
Seal: Numbered security device on container doors, often ISO 17712 high-security bolt seal.
SED: Shipper's Export Declaration, predecessor of AES EEI.
Self-sustaining: Vessel fitted with its own cranes able to load and discharge without shore equipment.
Service contract: Long term agreement between liner shipper and carrier.
Settlement: payment in discharge of the claim.
SI: Shipping instructions to carrier.
Side-loader: Truck that can lift a container onto and off its own chassis.
SITC: Standard International Trade Classification, UN statistical commodity nomenclature.
Slot: Vessel space for one TEU.
Slot allocation: Distribution of vessel slots between partner carriers in an alliance.
Slot Charter: Charter of a defined number of TEU slots on a containership.
Slot exchange: Reciprocal slot swap between carriers on different services.
SOC: Shipper-Owned Container, used in lieu of carrier equipment.
SOLAS: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974; the IMO treaty setting minimum construction, equipment, and operation standards for merchant ships.
SOLAS VI/2: Regulation requiring verification of container gross mass before loading.
SSA: Steamship Agent.
Stack: Vertical column of containers on board or in a yard.
Stack weight: Cumulative weight allowable in a single stack of containers.
Stacking cone: Locating cone aligning corner castings between stacked containers in yards.
Standing charge: Recurring fee on reefer plug-in or storage.
Stevedore: Shore-based cargo handler.
Stow plan: Vessel container stowage diagram.
Stripping: Unloading of a container.
STS crane: Ship to shore container crane.
Stuffing: Loading of a container.
Surrender B/L: Bill of lading surrendered at origin to enable telex release at destination.
Switch B/L: Second set of bills of lading issued at a third location to replace originals.

T

T1: EU external transit declaration covering non-EU goods.
T2: EU internal transit declaration covering EU goods crossing third territories.
TACT: The Air Cargo Tariff, used in air-sea routing.
Tare Weight: Weight of an empty container or vessel.
TARIC: EU Integrated Tariff, 10-digit code incorporating duty and trade measures.
Tariff: Carrier's published rates and charges; also customs duty schedule.
TCN: Transportation Control Number, US military shipment identifier.
TEU: Twenty foot equivalent unit.
THC: Terminal Handling Charge, fee covering port operations on a container.
Tier: Horizontal layer of containers in a stack, numbered 02, 04 upward on deck.
TIR Carnet: International road transit document under the TIR Convention.
TIR Convention: International road transit convention.
TOFC: Trailer on Flat Car, rail intermodal of road trailers.
Track and trace: Cargo tracking through the chain.
Transhipment: Transfer of cargo between vessels.
Trip lease: Short-term equipment lease for a single voyage or shipment.
Triple E: Maersk class of 18,000+ TEU ULCVs.
Truckers' association: Body representing drayage trucking firms at a port.
Tweendeck: Intermediate deck in multipurpose vessels.
TWIC: Transportation Worker Identification Credential, US port worker ID.
Twin lift: STS crane fitted with a spreader handling two 20 ft containers simultaneously.
Twin pick: Yard handler equivalent of twin lift.
Twin twenty: Two 20 ft containers on a 40 ft chassis or wagon.
Twistlock: Locking device joining containers at corner castings.
Twistlock pin: Operating pin in a manual twistlock.

U

UCR: Unique Consignment Reference, WCO data model identifier.
ULCV: Ultra Large Container Vessel, generally above 14,500 TEU.
ULD: Unit Load Device, in air freight, sometimes interlined with sea-air containers.
UN number: Number identifying dangerous goods under UN model regulations.
UN packaging code: Marking on UN-certified packagings for dangerous goods.
UN/EDIFACT: Legacy EDI standard for shipping documents.
Unit load: Standardised handling unit such as a container or pallet.
Unstuff: Synonym for stripping a container.
Uplift: Picking up of a loaded container from shipper or terminal.
USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, replacement for NAFTA.
USPPI: United States Principal Party in Interest, AES filer designation.
UT: ISO 6346 size-type suffix indicating open-top container.

V

Vanning: North American term for stuffing a container.
VC: Vessel call.
Vent slots: Openings near the top rails of dry containers allowing humidity to equalise.
Ventilated container: ISO type group V; classic 22V0 design for ventilated dry cargo such as coffee.
Verified gross mass: VGM of containers under SOLAS Chapter VI.
VERMAS: Verification of Mass Message, UN/EDIFACT message used to declare SOLAS VGM data.
Vessel sharing agreement: VSA, carrier cooperation allocating slots on jointly operated services.
VGM: Verified Gross Mass.
Voyage: Passage between ports.
VSA: Vessel Sharing Agreement.

W

Wagon: Rail vehicle carrying containers; in North America, "well car" or "flat car".
WCA: WCA World, global forwarder network; trade body, not a regulatory term.
WCO: World Customs Organization.
Weight cargo: Cargo rated by weight rather than volume.
Well car: North American articulated rail wagon with a well for double-stacked containers.
Wharfage: Charge for use of wharf.
WIM: Weigh-in-Motion, used for VGM solutions at terminal gates.
Wing tank: Side tank used in some bulktainer designs.
Wood packaging: Pallets and crates regulated under ISPM 15.
Working time: Hours during which a terminal operates.
WTO: World Trade Organization, framework for tariff and trade rules.

X

X12: ANSI ASC X12 EDI standard family used in North America.

Y

Yard: Spar set crosswise from a mast carrying a square sail.
Yard tractor: Terminal tractor moving chassis or mafis.

Z

Zone: Customs zone, freight rating zone, or environmental compliance zone.
Zoonotic cargo: Live animal or animal-product shipments requiring veterinary controls.