Glossary of Shipping Terms

FAK (FREIGHT ALL KINDS)Â
A carrier's tariff description for products pooled and all shipped at one rate. FAK cargo is usually shipped in a container filled with different merchandise or commodities.Â

FATHOMÂ
A nautical measurement with the following conversion equivalents: 6 feet; 1.83 meters.Â

FCLÂ
Full Container Load, Full Car Load.Â

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION (FMC)Â
The U.S. Federal agency responsible for overseeing rates and practices of ocean carriers that handle cargo at U.S. ports.Â

FEEDERÂ
A grain container or reservoir constructed around the hatchway between two decks of a ship which when filled with grain automatically feeds or fills in the vacant areas in the lower holds.Â

FEEDER VESSELÂ
A vessel that connects with a line vessel to service a port not directly served by that line vessel.Â

FEUÂ
Forty Foot Equivalent Units (Containers).Â

FIOÂ
Free in and out.Â

FIOSTÂ
Free in and out, stowed and trimmedÂ

FLAG CARRIERÂ
An airline or vessel of one national registry whose government gives it partial or total monopoly over international routes. Flat Bed Chassis - A semi-trailer with a level bed and no sides or tops. The floor is a standard height from the ground.Â

FLAGS OF CONVENIENCEÂ
The registration of ships in a country whose tax on the profits of trading ships is low or whose requirements concerning manning or maintenance are not stringent. Sometimes referred to as flags of necessity; denotes registration of vessels in foreign nations that offer favorable tax structures and regulations; also the flag representing the nation under whose jurisdiction a ship is registered. Ships are always registered under the laws of one nation but are not always required to establish their home location in that country.Â

FLAT CARÂ
a freight car having a floor without any housing or body above. Frequently used to carry car trailers (TOFC) or oversized/odd-shaped commoditiesÂ

FLAT RACKÂ
A container without sides or frame members at the front and back. It can be loaded from the sides and top.Â

FLOATING OIL STORAGEÂ
Oil stored on floating vessels. It has been the practice for oil to be stored in large laid-up oil tankers in order to offset the loss involved while the tankers are inactive.Â

FMCÂ
Federal Maritime Commission.Â

FOB.Â
Free on Board: Export term in which the price quoted by the exporter does not include the costs of ocean transportation, but does include loading on board the vessel.Â

FORCE MAJEUREÂ
Clause limiting responsibilities of charterers, shippers and receiver of cargoÂ

FORCE MAJEUREÂ
The title of a standard clause found in marine contracts exempting the parties for nonfulfillment of their obligations by reasons of occurrences beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods, or war.Â

FORECASTLEÂ
The raised part of the forward end of a ship's hull. The inside space may be used for crew accommodation or quarters, though on new ships this space is being used for the storage of paints, tackle, deck and engine stores, tarpaulins, etc.Â

FOREIGN EQUIPMENTÂ
Equipment owned and controlled by a railroad other than CSXTÂ

FOREIGN LINEÂ
A railroad other than CSXTÂ

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE (FTZ)Â
A port designated by the government for duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be stored, displayed, and used for manufacturing within the zone and re-exported without duties being paid. Duties are imposed only when the original goods or items manufactured from those goods pass from the zone into an area of the country subject to customs authority. Also called a Free Trade Zone.Â

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE ENTRYÂ
A form declaring goods which are brought duty free into a Foreign Trade Zone for further processing or storage and subsequent exportation from the zone into the commerce of another country.Â

FORWARDÂ
At or in the direction of the bow. Also the fore part of the ship.Â

FORWARDED SHIPMENTÂ
Move that originates on CSXT and is then delivered to another carrierÂ

FORWARDER, FREIGHT FORWARDER, FOREIGN FREIGHT FORWARDERÂ
An independent business that dispatches shipments for exporters for a fee. The firm may ship by land, air, or sea, or it may specialize. Usually it handles all the services connected with an export shipment, including preparation of documents, booking cargo space, warehousing, pier delivery, and export clearance. The firm may also handle banking and insurance services on behalf of a client. The U.S. forwarder is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission for ocean shipments.Â

FRAÂ
Federal Railroad Administration - The FRA deals specifically with transportation policy as it affects the nation's railroads and is responsible for enforcement of rail safety lawsÂ

FREE IN (FI)Â
Means the cost of loading a vessel is borne by the charterer.Â

FREE IN AND OUT (FIO)Â
Means the cost of loading and unloading a vessel is borne by the charterer.Â

FREE OF CAPTURE AND SEIZURE (FC&S)Â
An insurance clause providing that loss is not insured if due to capture, seizure, confiscation, and like actions, whether legal or not, or from such acts as piracy, civil war, rebellion, and civil strife.Â

FREE OF PARTICULAR AVERAGE (FPA)Â
A marine insurance clause relating to the recoverability of partial and total losses from perils of the sea. The American and English coverages vary as follows: (1) American Conditions (FPAAC). The underwriter does not assume responsibility for partial losses unless caused by sinking, stranding, burning, or colliding with another vessel. (2) English Conditions (FPAEC). The underwriter assumes responsibility for partial losses if the vessel is sunk, stranded, burned, on fire, or in collision, even though such an event did not actually cause the damage suffered by the goods.Â

FREE OUT (FO)Â
The cost of unloading a vessel is borne by the charterer.Â

FREE PORTÂ
A port which is a Foreign Trade Zone open to all traders on equal terms, or more specifically a port where merchandise may he stored duty-free pending reexport or sale within that country.Â

FREE PRATIQUEÂ
Clearance by the Health AuthoritiesÂ

FREE TIMEÂ
The time between notification and when trailer use or premise use charges beginÂ

FREIGHTÂ
Money payable on delivery of cargo in a mercantile condition.Â

FREIGHT FORWARDERÂ
Arranges shipments for customers usually break bulk. Does not actually carry the cargo or conduct business for the ship.Â

FREIGHT RATEÂ
The charge made for the transportation of freight.Â

FRUSTRATIONÂ
Charterers when canceling agreement sometimes quote 'doctrine of frustration' i.e. vessel is lost, extensive delays .Â

Glossary of Shipping Terms

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Glossary of Shipping Terms