Maritime abbreviations

Maritime abbreviations are shortened words and phrases used in the maritime industry to simplify communication, especially in navigation, shipping, and marine operations. These abbreviations are commonly used in charts, logs, manuals, communication between vessels and ports, and official maritime documents.

Code / Prefix	Description
AE	Auxiliary engine
AFV	Alternative Fuel Vehicles
AIS	Automatic Identification System
AMSA	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
ATA	Actual time of arrival
ATD	Actual time of departure
BAC	Blood Alcohol Concentration
BEV	Battery Electric Vehicles
BFO	Bunkering Facility Organisation
BLU Code	The Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers
BNWAS	Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System
BWM	Ballast Water Management
BYOD	Bring Your Own Device
CAP	Condition Assessment Program
CATZOC	Category Zone of Confidence
CBA	Collective Bargaining Agreements
CBM	Condition-Based Maintenance
CBO	Condition-Based Overhaul
CBT	Computer-Based Training
CCTV	Closed-Circuit Television
CIC	Casualty Investigation Code
CII	Carbon Intensity Indicator
CVIQ	Compiled vessel inspection questionnaire
CMS	Continuous Machinery Survey
COC	Confirmation of Compliance
CoC	Condition of class
COCMN	Code of Conduct for the Merchant Navy
COG	Course over ground
CoP	Certificate of Proficiency
COSWP	Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers
CPA	Closest Point of Approach
CPP	Controllable Pitch Propeller
CRA	Certificate of Receipt of Application
CSM	Cargo Securing Manual
CSO	Company’s Security Officer
CSS	Cargo Stowage and Securing Code
CTF	Coating Technical File
DG	Dangerous Good
DGNSS	Differential Global Navigation Satellite System
DP	Digital positioning
DPA	Designated Person Ashore
DRI	Direct Reduced Iron
DSC	Digital Selective Calling
DUKC	Dynamic Under Keel Clearance
ECA	Emission Control Area
ECDIS	Electronic Chart Display and Information System
EEBD	Emergency Escape Breathing Devices
EGCS	Exhaust Gas Cleaning System
ENC	Electronic Navigational Charts
EPIRB	Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
ESD	Emergency shutdown
ER	Engine Room
ECR	Engine control room
ERS	Emergency Release System
ERC	Emergency Release Coupling
ETA	Estimated time of arrival
ETB	Emergency Towing Booklet
EV	Electric Vehicle
FMEA	Failure Mode Effects Analysis
FML	Flow Moisture Limit
FOSFA	Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fat Associations
FSS	International Fire Safety System Code
FTP	Fire Test Procedure code
GAFTA	Grain and Feed Trade Association
GFI	Gas fuel intensity
GHG	Greenhouse gas emissions
GISIS	Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS)
GMDSS	Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GNSS	Global Navigation Satellite System
GPS	Global Positioning System
GRB	Garbage Record Book
HAZOP	Hazard and Operability Analysis
HDOP	Horizontal Dilution of Precision
HFO	Heavy Fuel Oil
HIMP	Hull Inspection and Maintenance Program
HLS	Helicopter Landing Site
HME	Harmful to the Marine Environment
HMSF	High Modulus Synthetic Fibre
HSC	High-Speed Craft code
HVPQ	Harmonised vessel particulars questionnaire
H&M	Hull and Machinery
IACS	International Association of Classification Societies
IAMSAR	International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and rescue
IAPH	International Association of Ports and Harbors
IBC	International code for construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk
ICS	International Chamber of Shipping
ICG	International code for construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk
IEC	International Electro-technical Commission.
IEE	International Energy Efficiency
IEEC	International Energy Efficiency Certificate
IGC	Inernational grain code
IGF	The International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels
IHO	International Hydrographic Organization
ILO	International Labour Organization
IMFO	International Maritime Fumigation Organisation
IMCA	International Marine Contractors Association
IMDG	International Maritime Dangerous Goods
IMO	International Maritime Organisation
IMO DCS	IMO Data Collection System
IMSBC	International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes
INF	International Code for Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel
IOPPC	International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
IS	International Code on Intact Stability
ISGOTT	International Safety Guidelines for Oil Tanker &Terminal Code
ISM	International Safety Management Code
ISPS	International Ship and Port Facility Security
JPO	Joint Plan of Operation
LDBF	Line Design Break Force
LMP	Line Management Plan
LNG	Liquefied Natural Gas
LO	Lubricating Oil
LOTO	Lock Out, Tag Out
LRIT	Long-range identification and tracking
LSA	International Life-Saving Appliance
MARPOL	The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978
MDO	Marine Diesel Oil
ME	Main Engine
MBL	Minimum Breaking Load
MCR	Maximum continuous rating
MEG4	Mooring Equipment Guidelines Edition 4
MFAG	Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods
MHB	Material Hazardous only in Bulk
MLC	Maritime Labour Convention
MMSI	Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MODU	Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit code
MoM	Minutes of meeting
MPX	Master Pilot exchange
MSL	Maximum Securing Load
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NOx	Nitrogen Oxides
OCCS	Onboard Carbon Capture Storage systems
OCIMF	Oil Companies International Maritime Forum
OCM	Oil Content Meter/Monitor
OHS	Occupational Health and Safety
OMM	Operating and Maintenance Manual
OOG	Out of Gauge
OOW	Officer of the Watch
OWS	Oily Water Separator
OSV	Code of safe practices for Offshore Supply Vessel
P&I	Protection and Indemnity Club
PFSOs	Port Facility Security Officers
PIC	Person in Charge
PIQ	Pre-inspection questionnaire
PMS	Planned Maintenance System
POLAR	International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment
PRVs	Pressure Relief Valves
PPU	Power Pack Unit
PTB	Personal Transfer Basket
PWOM	Polar Water Operation Manual
RCDS	Raster Chart Display System
RPE	Respiratory Protective Equipment
RPM	Revolutions per minute
SART	Search and Rescue Transponder
SCAMIN	Scale Minimum
SCBA	Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
SCR	Selective Catalytic Reduction
SDMBL	Ship Design MBL
SDS	Safety Data Sheet
SEA	Seafarers’ Employment Agreements
SEEMP	Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan
SFI	Suggestions for improvement
SIRE	Ship Inspection Report Programme
SMS	Safety Management System
SOLAS	International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
SOPEP	Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan
SoW	Scope of works
SOx	Sulphur Oxides
SPS	Code for the safety of Special Purpose Ships
SoC	Statement of Compliance
SOG	Speed over ground
SRIM	Security Related Information to Mariners
SSO	Ship Security Officer
SSP	Ship Security Plan
STCW	Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping
SWBM	Still Water Bending Moment
SWL	Safe Working Load
SWSF	Still Water Shear Forces
T&P NMs	Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners
TCPA	Time to Closest Point of Approach
TDBF	Tail Design Break Force
TMC	Transmitting Magnetic Compass
TML	Transportable Moisture Limit
UKC	Under Keel Clearance
UKHO	United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
UMS	Unattended Machinery Space
V/V	Volume of fumigant per total volume of gas
VDR	Voyage Data Recorder
VGM	Verified Gross Mass
WF	Solids that evolve flammable gas when wet
WIDS	Water Ingress Detector Systems
WLL	Working Load Limit
XTC	Cross-Track Corridors