Complete Glossary of
Marine Terms & Abbreviations
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Factor
An agent employed to sell in his own name (at the agreed commission) goods or merchandise belonging to his principal; his acts being binding in the principal at the instance of third parties.
Fac./Oblig.
Facultative/Obligatory
FAK - Freight AII Kinds
A Shipping Company's charging system whereby freight is charged per container, irrespective of nature of goods, and not according to a tariff.
FANTAINER
Container with built in forced ventilation.
Fathom
a measurement of depth, equals six feet
fch.
Franchise
FCL / LCL
FCL means Full Container Load, LCL means Less than Full Container Load. Container services are built around the general concept that the shipper loads a container at their premises and presents it scaled to the shipping company and that at the other end, the container is delivered to the importer's premises also scaled and loaded. This constitutes FCL
FCL/FCL loaded by shipper, unloaded by consignee
FCL/ LCL loaded by shipper, unloaded by shipping organisation
LCL/FCL loaded by shipping organisation, unloaded by consignee
LCL/LCL loaded by shipping organisation, unloaded by shipping organisation.
FEAR OF LOSS / FEAR OF A PERIL
Insurers are liable for losses proximately caused by an insured peril. Fear of a peril does not constitute a peril so that insurers are not liable for a loss proximately caused by an uninsured peril, even though the loss would not have arisen but for fear of an insured peril.
This principle does not absolve insurers from their liability for sue and labour charges, salvage charges or general average contribution when properly incurred to prevent loss from a factual or imminent peril.
Feeder Vessel
A short-sea vessel used to fetch and carry goods and containers to and from deep sea vessels.
Fender
Rope or plastic object, used to prevent damage to the ship's side when lying alongside another vessel or a jetty
Fetch
the distance which the wind has blown across open water; also to reach a desired destination.
FFI - For Further Instructions
Abbreviation used in Place of Delivery box on a transport document if final destination uncertain at time of shipment, e.g. XYZ Containerbase FFI.
Fiddle
a lip around horizontal surfaces in the living or working areas of a vessel, to stop objects falling or sliding off in a seaswell
FIOS - Free In Out + Stow
Consignor pays for loading, stowing and discharging.
First watch
8pm to midnight
Fix
a locational position found from accurate bearings, or observations of heavenly bodies (height of stars etc. at a certain time of day)
FIXED OBJECT
Term used in respect of liability insurance on hulls to differentiate between "collision", which is contact between two or more vessels, and ordinary contact by the ship with anything other than a vessel. In this way anything other than a vessel is embraced by the term "objects".
"Fixed objects" are those which do not move, such as piers and wharves, including fastened buoys. Liability to objects is not covered by the collision clause in a hull policy.
FLAG OF CONVENIENCE
For the purpose of registration under a National flag a vessel must comply with and maintain certain standards regarding equipment, fire and life saving appliances, crew’s quarters, victualling and safety regulations.
These standards are less stringent under some flags. The flag being the National flag of the Country with which the vessel is registered. Where a vessel registers with a Country which applies relaxed regulations purely for the purpose of attracting registration, such flag is called a "Flag of Convenience".
Flare
Outward spread of the topsides near the bow of a boat; also - a pyrotechnic signal used to call attention.
Flashing
Flashing navigational light, with a period of light less than the period of darkness
FLATRACK
A container consisting of a base and two ends but no sides or roof.
FLEXITANK
Polythene bag to allow bulk liquids and powders to be carried in G.P.s (General Purpose Container)
Flood
the rising tide
Flotsam
Cargo cast or lost overboard and recoverable by reason of its remaining afloat.
FMC - Federal Maritime Commission
US Federal Authority governing sea transport.
Foot
the bottom of a sail
FORCE MAJEURE
"Some physical or natural restraint which prevents an intention being carried out and which is outside the control of the person who had the intention. The term thus includes Acts of God , strikes, war and legislative or administrative intervention." Witherby's Dictionary of Insurance, 2nd Edition.
Force Majeure is often a term used in liability policies. From the definition above, Force majeure is wider than Acts of God
Fore and aft
the vessel's major, or longitudinal axis i.e. lengthwise of a ship
Fore-triangle
triangle formed by the forestay, mast and deck
Forebody
That part of a ship which is forward of midships.
Forecastle
Raised part at the bow of the ship.
Forefoot
The lower part in the stem of a ship that curves to meet the keel.
FOREIGN JURISDICTION CLAUSE
A clause agreed by underwriters and attached to the policy, that provides for the policy to be subject to legal jurisdiction of the country named in the clause. This will, normally, take precedence over the English jurisdiction clause in the MAR policy form; but it is customary for the latter to be deleted in such cases to avoid confusion. It does not take precedence over the English law & practice clause in the Institute clauses.
Forestay
A wire support to the foreside of a mast. A stay which runs from stem to mast.
FORTUITY
An accident or any loss or damage which is not an inevitability.
Foul
Opposite of clear e.g. 'foul anchor' ; 'foul bottom'
Foul Bill
A bill of lading that has been claused to show that the goods were not received in a sound condition.
Fractional Rig
a rig of a sail that does not extend to the masthead (i.e. not a masthead rig)
Franchise
Like a deductible, but if the amount of the merchandise is met or exceeded, the loss is paid in full.
Frap
to bind together
FREE IN AND OUT
Chartering term whereby the charterer of a vessel under voyage charter agrees to pay the costs of loading and discharging the cargo.
FREE OF CAPTURE AND SEIZURE
The marine insurance term for "excluding war perils". The abbreviation is F.C. & S. and the standard clause used is generally referred to as the F.C. & S. clause. At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of Lloyd’s in June 1898 a resolution was passed to incorporate the F.C. & S clause in all Lloyd’s marine cargo policies and this became effective on July 1898. At a similar meeting on 25th January 1899 it was agreed that thenceforth all agreements (which include slips, of course) shall be deemed to be subject to the F.C. & S clause unless the contrary has been specified in the slip or agreement and agreed by the insurer.
The F.C. & S. clause is now incorporated in all marine policies and all sets of marine clauses and is a paramount clause in a hull policy. Its purpose is to make it clear that the policy excludes losses proximately cause by war, hostile acts or warlike attempts, whether or not there has been a declaration of war. The wording of the clause makes it clear that if the loss is proximately caused by a marine peril such loss is not excluded by the clause even if the vessel, or any other vessel involved in the accident, is engaged in a warlike operation.
In cargo insurance the perils excluded by the clause may be reinstated in the policy by agreement with the insurer and payment of a scale additional premium. In addition to the reinstatement other war perils are incorporated into the policy and it is customary to incorporate strikes risks at the same time. Hull war risks are customarily insured under a separate policy. There are standard sets of war clauses and strikes clauses for both hull and cargo risks.
Free of Particular Average, American Conditions (FPAAC)
Average clause which limits recovery of partial losses to those caused by fire, stranding, sinking or collision.
Free of Particular Average, English Conditions (FPAEQ)
Same as FPAAC except that the partial losses referred to are recoverable if the vessel has stranded, sunk, burned, been on fire or in collision, regardless of whether such losses were actually caused by any of these perils.
Free on Board (FOB)
Goods sold under such terms are at charge and risk of the seller until on board shipping vessel (other terms include "Free Alongside Steamer," "Free on Rail," etc.)
Free Surface Effect
The free surface effect is where liquids are free to flow within its compartment. Particularly dangerous in open holds such as within the vehicle decks of ferries.
Freeboard
This is the height between the deck line and the Plimsoll mark (or Load) line i.e. the distance from the waterline to the deck edge.
Freeing Port
An opening to allow water from the deck of a ship to flow over the side.
Freight
For insurance purposes, the term 'freight' relates to the remuneration received or receivable by a carrier for the carriage of goods, and can include the profit he derives from the carriage of his own goods.
Where freight is paid in advance by the shipper, on a non returnable basis, the insurable interest is vested in the shipper and is normally embraced within the insured value of the goods.
Where freight is paid on 'outturn' of the goods at the destination port, the insurable interest is vested in the carrier (shipowner or charterer).
In shipping practice, the term freight maybe used to define the goods carried in transit. Thus, personnel involved in arrangements for such transit may be termed 'freight forwarders'. It is commonplace to hear goods referred to as 'freight' in regard to rail carriage, air carriage, etc.
Freight Contingency
The insurable interest of a consignee who has paid freight on goods when delivered over the ship's side, but where the goods are still exposed to peril until they arrive at the final destination.
Freight Forwarder
Firm specializing in arranging transport of merchandise and completing documentation required for the orderly transport of merchandise. Occasion¬ally, they will take merchandise for the purpose of packing or consolidating with other cargo for export to the same country.
Freight Prepaid / Freight Collect
Freight Prepaid means freight paid by shipper prior to release by shipping company of negotiable bills of lading. Freight Collect means shipping company collects freight from consignee or his representative. This usually has to be arranged in advance, and is not available to some destinations.
Freight Rate
The charge for transporting goods by water.
Freight Ton
The tonnage on which freight is charged (also called B/L Ton).
Freight Waiver Clause
The underwriter insuring hull and machinery of a ship is entitled, on payment of a constructive total loss, to take over the ship, arrange to deliver the cargo and retain any freight earned thereby. The 'freight waiver clause' in the hull policy conditions waives the right to earned freight. Prior to publication of the 1983 hull clauses this clause was commonly termed the 'freight abandonment' clause.
Freshen
a strengthening of the wind
FRUSTRATION OF ADVENTURE
Frustration of Adventure is brought about by a circumstance whereby a ship or goods cannot reach the contemplated destination but remain undamaged and are not lost to the owner. Claims based on frustration of the voyage or adventure are normally excluded from policies covering war risks and strikes risks.
Detention or restraint is a prevention during the currency of the risk of the prosecution of the insured transit, the owner of the property not necessarily being deprived of ownership. For the liability of cargo underwriters, there appears to be no distinction between an arrest or embargo by a home or foreign government. An embargo in this context is where the insured is not deprived by a superior authority of possession of property but the property is detained.
Full Value Declared (FVD)
A notation on an air waybill which indicates that a specific value has been declared to the carrier for carriage of the merchandise.
F. & A.P.
Fire and allied perils
f.a.a.
Free of all average
F.A.R.
Free of accident reported
F.C.A.R.
Free of claim for accident reported
F.I.I.C.
Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada
F.C.I.L.A.
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters
F.C.O.D.
Fire, collision, overturning and derailment
F.C.R.
Forwarding agents' certificate of receipt
F.C.S.R.C.C.
Free of capture, seizure, riots and civil commotions
F.C.S.S.R.C.C.
Free of capture, seizure, strikes, riots and civil commotions
F.C.T.
Forwarding agents' certificate of transport
F.C.V.
Full contract value. Full completed value
F.D.
Fire break door
F.D.D.
Freight, demurrage and defence
F.D.O.
For declaration purposes only
F.E.A.
Fire extinguishing appliances
F.G.
Fidelity guarantee
F.G.A.
Foreign general average. Free of general average
F.G.U.
From the ground up
F.I.A.
Full interest admitted
F.L.E.
Fire, lighting and explosion
F.O.C.
Fire Offices' Committee. Free of claims. Free of charge. Free of cost. Flag of convenience
F.O.D.abs.
Free of damage absolutely
F.O.M.
Flag, ownership or management
F.P.A. u.c.b.
Free of particular average unless caused by
F.R.C.
Free of reported casualty. Fire resisting construction
F.R.C.C.
Free of riots and civil commotions
F.R.O.
Fire risk only
f.r.o.f.
Fire risk on freight
F.S.R. & C.C.
Free of strikes, riots and civil commotion
f.w.d.
Fresh water damage
F/A
Fire and accident (Insurance)