Glossary of Shipping Terms

N.E.M.Â
Not elsewhere mentioned.Â

N.E.S.Â
Not elsewhere specified.Â

NAFTA (NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT)Â
A free trade agreement comprising the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico.Â

NATIONAL CARGO BUREAUÂ
A private organization having representatives throughout the main harbors in the U.S. It is empowered to inspect cargoes of a hazardous nature and issue certificates which are automatically approved by the Coast Guard.Â

NATIONAL CARRIERÂ
A flag carrier owned or controlled by the state.Â

NATIONAL FLAGÂ
The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality.Â

NEOBULKÂ
Shipments consisting entirely of units of a single commodity, such as cars, lumber, or scrap metal.Â

NESTEDÂ
When three or more different sizes of an article are placed within each other so that each article will not project above the next lower article by more than 33-1/3% of its height.Â

NESTED SOLIDÂ
When three or more different sizes of an article are placed within each other so that each article will not project above the next lower article by more than 1/4 inch.Â

NET CAPACITYÂ
The number of tons of cargo which a vessel can carry when loaded in salt water to her summer freeboard marks. Also called cargo carrying capacity, cargo deadweight, and useful deadweight.Â

NET TERMSÂ
Free of charters' commission.Â

NET TONNAGEÂ
Equals gross tonnage minus deductions for space occupied by crew accommodations, machinery, navigation equipment, and bunkers. It represents space available for cargo (and passengers). Canal tolls are based on net (registered) tonnage.Â

NET WEIGHT (ACTUAL NET WEIGHT)Â
The 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.Â

NMFCÂ
National Motor Freight Classification.Â

NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATEÂ
A document provided by scheduled or national airlines of many countries declaring no objection to a proposed charter flight operated by another airline. It is often demanded by government authorities before they grant permission for a charter flight to take place.Â

NO OBJECTION FEEÂ
A sum of money normally paid by a charter airline to a scheduled airline in order that it waives its right of objection to its government, thus allowing a charter to take place. The amount is usually a fixed percentage of the gross cost of a charter. Tantamount to a bribe, this is common practice in the Middle East and Africa.Â

NOEÂ
Not Otherwise Enumerated.Â

NOHPÂ
Not Otherwise Herein Provided.Â

NOIÂ
Not Otherwise Indicated.Â

NOIBNÂ
Not Otherwise Indicated By Number; Not Otherwise Indicated By Name.Â

NON-CONFERENCE LINEÂ
A shipping line which operates on a route served by a liner conference but which is not a member of that conference.Â

NONCONTIGUOUSÂ
Domestic shipping routes serving Alaska and non-continental U.S. States and territories.Â

NON-SCHEDULED FLIGHTÂ
(See Scheduled Flight)Â

NON-VESSEL OPERATING COMMON CARRIER (NVOCC)Â
An FMC-Licensed cargo consolidator of small shipments in ocean trade, generally soliciting business and arranging for or performing containerization functions at the port.Â

NORÂ
Notice of readinessÂ

NORSKE VERITASÂ
Norwegian classification society.Â

NOSÂ
Not Otherwise Specified.Â

NRTÂ
Net registered tons. This tonnage is frequently shown on ship registration papers; it represents the volumetric area available for cargo at 100 cubic feet = 1 ton. It often is used by port and canal authorities as a basis for charges.Â

NTÂ
Net Tons.Â

NVOÂ
Non-vessel-operating common carrier, a ships agent, conducts business for the ship but does not operate the vessel.Â

NVOCCÂ
(See Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier)

Glossary of Shipping Terms

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Glossary of Shipping Terms