Glossary of Shipping Terms

SALVAGEÂ
(1) The rescue of goods from loss at sea or by fire. Also, goods so saved, or payment made or due for their rescue. (2) The property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the vessel herself.Â

SCHEDULE BÂ
Refers to "Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities exported from the U.S.A." This is being replaced under the Harmonized System.Â

SCHEDULED FLIGHTÂ
Any service that operates under a set timetable.Â

SCR (SPECIFIED COMMODITY RATE)Â
A rate applied to narrowly specified commodities and usually granted on relatively large shipments. Theoretically, it is of limited time duration.Â

SEA TRIALSÂ
A series of trials conducted by the builders during which the owner's representatives on board act in a consulting and checking capacity to determine if the vessel has met the specifications.Â

SEABEEÂ
Sea-barge, a barge carrier design similar to "LASH" but which uses rollers to move the barges aboard the ship; the self-propelled loaded barges are themselves loaded on board as cargo and are considerably larger than those loaded on LASH ships.Â

SEALÂ
A device fastened to the doors on a railcar or trailer used to secure its contents and to insure the integrity of a shipmentÂ

SEAWORTHINESSÂ
(1) Statement on the condition of the vessel. It has valid certificates, is fully equipped and manned (2) The sufficiency of a vessel in materials construction, equipment, crew and outfit for the trade in which it is employed. Any sort of disrepair to the vessel by which the cargo may suffer - overloading, untrained officers, etc., may constitute a vessel unseaworthy.Â

SEAWORTHINESS CERTIFICATEÂ
A certificate issued by a classification society surveyor to allow a vessel to proceed after she has met with a mishap that may have affected its seaworthiness. It is frequently issued to enable a vessel to proceed, after temporary repairs have been effected, to another port where permanent repairs are then carried out.Â

SECTORÂ
The distance between two ground points within a route.Â

SELF-SUSTAININGÂ
A vessel that has its own cranes and equipment mounted on board for loading and unloading. Used in ports where shore cranes and equipment are lacking.Â

SELF-SUSTAINING SHIPÂ
A containership which has her own crane for loading and discharging shipping containers enabling the ship to serve ports which do not have suitable lifting equipment.Â

SELF-UNLOADERÂ
A bulk carrier which is equipped with gear for unloading cargo.Â

SEMISUBMERSIBLEÂ
Deck supported by pillars, fastened to pontoons. The pontoons are half submerged during operations. Kept in position by anchors (or by dynamic positioning). Normally equipped with its own propulsion machinery.Â

SERVICEÂ
The defined, regular pattern of calls made by a carrier in the pick-up and discharge of cargo.Â

SERVICE CONTRACTÂ
A contract between a shipper and an ocean carrier of conference, in which the shipper makes a commitment to provide a minimum quantity of cargo over a fixed time period.Â

SHIFTINGÂ
This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another. This can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargoworthiness of the ship.Â

SHIPMENTÂ
Freight tendered to a carrier by one consignor at one place at one time for delivery to one consignee at one place on one bill of lading.Â

SHIPPERÂ
Term used to describe an exporter (usually a manufacturing company).Â

SHIPPERSÂ
Individuals or businesses who purchase transportation services or commodities.Â

SHIPPER'S COUNCILÂ
An organization of shippers formed to collectively and services with the conferences of ship operators.Â

SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION (SED)Â
A form required by the U.S. Treasury Department and completed by a shipper showing the value, weight, consignee, and destination of export shipments as well as the Schedule B identification number.Â

SHIPPING ACTÂ
Created in 1916 and revised in 1984, the Shipping Act is a comprehensive legislative act defining the U.S. ocean freight industry. This legislation defines the rules and regulations governing the business practices of steamship companies, non-vessel operating carriers, and freight forwarders.Â

SHIP'S AGENTÂ
A person or firm who transacts all business in a port on behalf of shipowners or charterers. Also called shipping agent; agent.Â

SHIP'S MANIFESTÂ
An instrument in writing containing a list of the shipments constituting the ship's cargo.Â

SHIP'S STABILITYÂ
The seaworthiness of a ship regarding the centrifugal force which enables her to remain upright.Â

SHORT TONÂ
2,000 pounds.Â

SHORT-SHIPPEDÂ
Cargo manifested but not loaded.Â

SIGHT DRAFTÂ
A draft payable upon presentation to the drawee. (Compare with Date Draft and Time Draft.)Â

SINGLE-LINE HAULÂ
Shipment over one railroadÂ

SLOP TANKÂ
A tank in a tanker into which slops are pumped. These represent a residue of the ship's cargo of oil together with the water used to clean the cargo tanks. They are left to separate out in the slop tank.Â

SOFT CURRENCYÂ
Currency which is not fully convertible to all currencies but only to some other soft currencies.Â

SPINE CARÂ
Skeletonized, lightweight, three or five-unit, fully articulated rail car, designed to carry single-stack containers and trailersÂ

SPLC (STANDARD POINT LOCATION CODE )Â
An industry wide standard used to identify a location served by a common carrierÂ

SPLC (STANDARD POINT LOCATION CODE )Â

SPOT (VOYAGE)Â
A charter for a particular vessel to move a single cargo between specified loading port(s) and discharge port(s) in the immediate future. Contract rate ("spot" rate) covers total operating expenses, i.e., bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, crew's wages and food, insurance and repairs. Cargo owner absorbs, in addition, any expenses specifically levied against the cargo.Â

STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC)Â
A standard numerical code system developed by the United Nations to classify commodities used in international trade.Â

STAND-BY VESSELÂ
Stationed near an offshore in-stallation, responsible for evacuating its crew in emergencies. Also performs continuous guard function, warning other vessels to keep their distance from installations, etc.Â

STARBOARDÂ
The right-hand side of a ship when facing the front or forward end. The starboard side of a ship during darkness is indicated by a green light.Â

STCCÂ
(Standard Transportation Commodity Codes) the STCC system is a 7 digit coding structure designed to classify all commodities or articles which move or may move in freight transportationÂ

STEAMSHIP AGENTÂ
A duly appointed and authorized representative in a specified territory acting on behalf of a steamship line or lines and attending to all matters relating to the vessels owned by his principals.Â

STEAMSHIP LINEÂ
A company usually having the following departments: vessel operations, container operations, tariff department, booking, outbound rates, inward rates, and sales. The company can maintain its own in-country offices to handle regional sales, operations, or other matters, or appoint steamship agents to represent them doing the same. Some lines have liner offices in several regions and appointed agents in others.Â

STERNÂ
(Noun) The upright post or bar of the bow of a vessel.Â

STERNWAYÂ
The reverse movement of a vessel.Â

STEWARD ASSISTANTÂ
Clean galley and mess halls, set tables, prepare salads, and clean living quarters.Â

STORAGE CHARGEÂ
A penalty assessed to shippers or consignees for holding private trailers or containers at the origin or destination terminal in excess of allotted free timeÂ

STOREÂ
A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship for the maintenance of the crew, and for the navigation, propulsion, and upkeep of the vessel and its equipment.Â

STOWAGEÂ
(a) The lacing of cargo in a vessel in such a manner as to provide the utmost safety and efficiency for the ship and the goods it carries. (b) The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also in between ports when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.Â

STOWAGE FACTORÂ
Cubic space (measurement tons occupied by one ton (2240 lbs. or 1000 kgs of cargo))Â

STRIKES, RIOTS, AND CIVIL COMMOTIONSÂ
An insurance clause referring to loss or damage directly caused by strikers, locked-out workmen, persons' participation in labor disturbances, and riots of various kinds. The ordinary marine insurance policy does not cover this risk. Coverage against it can be added only by endorsement.Â

SUBSIDYÂ
An economic benefit granted by a government to producers of goods or services, often to strengthen their competitive position. Sue & Labor Cause. A provision in marine insurance obligating the assured to do things necessary after a loss to prevent further loss and to act in the best interests of the insurer.Â

SURETY BONDÂ
A bond insuring against loss or damage or for the completion of obligations.Â

Glossary of Shipping Terms

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Glossary of Shipping Terms