The shipping industry has its own terminology, which may seem confusing to someone unfamiliar with the maritime world. While some of the terms used are common to the boating industry, others are unique to the world of container ships, RoRo's, tankers and other merchant vessels. In this article, we'll explore the most common terms used in the shipping industry and help newcomers understand the language of ocean-going sailors.
N.B.: as a universal language, English has become an established part of sailors' vocabulary over the years. As Great Britain was one of the forerunners of maritime transport, it's a sort of tribute to the origins of the industry 😊
Here is a glossary of the key terms used in this sector.
A
AIS (Automatic Identification System): System allowing real-time tracking of ship positions.
Anchorage: Action of securing a ship to a quay or mooring.
Armator: Ship owner responsible for its operation.
B
Ballast: Compartments filled with water to ensure ship stability.
Bay Plan: Diagram showing the placement of containers on the ship.
Berth: Docking place for a ship in a port.
Bollard: Post on a dock for securing mooring lines.
Bow: Front part of a ship that cuts through the water.
Breakwater: Structure protecting a harbor from waves.
Bulk Carrier: Ship designed for transporting unpackaged bulk cargo.
Bunker: Fuel used for ship propulsion.
C
Cable Layer: Lays and maintains undersea cables (telecom, electricity).
Cargo: Goods transported by a ship.
Charter Party: Contract between a shipowner and a charterer defining leasing terms. Charterer: Person or company renting a vessel for cargo transport.
Chemical Tanker: Ship specialized in transporting liquid chemicals.
Chocking: Securing system preventing container movement.
Coaming: Raised border around deck openings.
Container Ship: Vessel designed to carry standardized cargo containers.
D
Derrick: Crane-like device used for cargo handling.
Displacement: Total weight of a loaded ship, expressed in tons.
Dock: Artificial basin allowing ship maintenance and docking.
Draught: Depth of a ship's hull submerged in water.
Dredger: Ship used for clearing channels and harbors.
Dry Container: Standard container for transporting dry goods.
E
Engine Room: Compartment housing the main engine and machinery.
Equilibrium: Balance ensuring ship stability.
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival): Predicted arrival time of a vessel.
ETD (Estimated Time of Departure): Predicted departure time of a vessel.
F
Feeder Ship: Smaller ship redistributing containers to/from major hubs.
Ferry: Vessel transporting passengers and vehicles over short distances.
Fittings: Equipment used for securing cargo and containers.
Flat Rack: Open-sided container for oversized cargo.
Forecastle: Forward part of a ship’s upper deck.
Franc-bord (Freeboard): Distance between the main deck and the waterline.
Freight: Cargo transported by a ship.
G
Gantry Crane: Large crane used for loading and unloading containers.
Gas Carrier: Ships designed for transporting liquefied gas (LNG, LPG).
GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System): Communication system for maritime emergencies.
Grain: Sudden strong squall at sea.
GRT (Gross Register Tonnage): Measurement of a ship’s overall internal volume.
H
Hatch Cover: Hatch protecting ship cargo holds.
Height of Tide: Difference between high and low tide levels.
Hub Port: Major port serving as a redistribution center for containers.
Hull: Main body of a ship.
I
IMO (International Maritime Organization): Regulatory body overseeing maritime safety.
Inspection: Verification of ship compliance with regulations.
Intermodal Unit: Container designed for transport by ship, train, and truck.
J
Jetty: Structure extending into the water for docking ships.
Jib: Crane arm used in shipboard lifting operations.
Jury Rig: Temporary rigging in case of damage.
K
Keel: Structural base of a ship ensuring stability.
Knot: Speed unit equal to 1.852 km/h.
L
Lashing: Securing cargo using locks and bars.
Lifeboat: Small emergency boat carried by ships.
LNG Carrier: Ship transporting liquefied natural gas.
LOA (Length Overall): Total length of a ship.
Load Line: Mark indicating maximum safe loading level.
Longshoreman: Dock worker responsible for cargo handling.
M
Manifest: Detailed list of goods on board.
Maritime Pilot: Professional assisting ship maneuvering in ports.
Mast: Vertical pole supporting a ship’s rigging and sails.
Mega Carrier: Very large container ship (20,000+ TEU).
Mineral Carrier: Ship transporting bulk minerals (iron, coal, bauxite).
Mooring: Securing a ship at dock or anchor.
N
Navigation: Ship movement on water.
Net Tonnage (NT): Usable volume of a ship for cargo transport.
Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV): Ship supplying offshore oil platforms.
On-dock Rail: Railway infrastructure connected to a port terminal.
O
Open Top Container: Roofless container for oversized goods.
Orin: Rope or chain connecting an anchor to a ship.
Oscillation: Ship’s rocking or pitching motion.
P
Panamax Container Ship: Ships meeting Panama Canal lock size limits.
Pilotage: Assistance by a local pilot for port maneuvers.
Plimsoll Line: Load line indicating safe cargo capacity.
Port State Control: Inspection of foreign ships for compliance.
Prow: Forward section of a ship.
Q
Quay: Dock where ships load and unload cargo.
Quarterdeck: Area of a ship’s deck designated for officers.
Quarantine: Isolation of a ship to prevent disease spread.
R
Radar: System detecting objects and ships at sea.
Reefer Ship: Refrigerated vessel carrying perishable goods.
Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro): Ships designed for vehicle transport.
Rudder: Device steering a ship.
S
Sailing Vessel: Ship powered by sails.
Sonar: Underwater detection system.
Stacking: Arranging containers onboard or in storage.
Superstructure: Upper part of a ship housing control areas.
T
Tanker: Ship carrying liquid cargo such as oil or chemicals.
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit): Standard measure for container capacity.
Tide: Periodic sea level variation due to gravity.
Trim: Adjusting a ship’s balance for optimal performance.
U
Ultramarine: Relating to overseas maritime activities.
Unloading: Process of removing cargo from a ship.
Usage Rate: Percentage of a ship’s cargo capacity used.
V
Vessel: General term for any type of ship.
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS): Monitoring system managing maritime traffic.
Voyage: Journey undertaken by a ship.
W
Waterline: Ship’s floating level on water.
Weather Deck: Ship’s upper deck exposed to elements.
Winch: Device for hoisting and pulling heavy loads.
X
Xylophage: Marine organisms that damage wooden ship hulls.
Y
Yard: Measurement unit used in navigation.
Yaw: Side-to-side movement of a ship’s bow.
Z
Zone Franche (Free Zone): Port area where goods are stored without immediate taxation.
Zodiac: Inflatable boat used for auxiliary transport.
Want to know more?
If you want to go further and master all the technical words, take a look at the most comprehensive report on the maintenance systems used on board commercial vessels around the world.
To broaden your horizons even further, watch this video and discover the BoatOn Book 😊