Complete Glossary of
Marine Terms & Abbreviations
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Obliteration Of Marks
Where goods arrive at their destination in specie (i.e. as shipped) but are identifiable by reason of obliteration of the marks the loss, if any, is a partial loss and must not be construed as a total loss. (UK M.I.A., 1906, Section 56, Sub 5).
Occurrence
A chain of events which together form one happening. An example given by R.H. Brown's "Marine Insurance Terms" 4th Edition is: A ship collides with another, catches fire and sinks. The whole is one occurrence.
If there are no contributing factors a single event may be termed an occurrence.
OECD
Organisation for Economic and Cooperative Development
Official Number
The registered number given to a merchant vessel and cut into the vessel's 'main beam", together with the net registered tonnage.
Omnibus Clause
A clause in a hull policy extending liability cover to embrace, in addition to the insured's legal liability, the liability of other organisations who are connected with the ship.
On Board Bill of Lading
A bill of lading confirming the receipt of merchandise and the fact that it was loaded on board the ocean vessel.
On Consignment
When goods are sent overseas with the intention that they are to be put up for sale on arrival at destination, they are said to be sent "on consignment". In the event of a claim the insurers are not liable for sale charges.
On Deck Bill of Lading
A bill of lading which states that the cargo has been stowed on deck and is at the shipper's risk. The carrier is not liable for loss or damage unless due to gross negligence.
Onus Of Proof
The onus always lies with the claimant. The assured must prove his loss. The insurer defending a claim on the grounds of unseaworthiness must prove the unseaworthiness. The effect is that the person making the claim must prove his right to the claim and a person defending a claim must prove his grounds of defence. The onus is on the person whose property has been sacrificed in general average to claim contribution from the general average fund.
The onus of proof initially lies with the claimant. The claimant must prove a loss exists.
In an all risks insurance, the onus of proof then passes to the insurer to prove, should they so wish, that a policy exception applies.
With a specified perils policy, the claimant must prove the loss was as a result of one the perils insured against.
OOG - Out of Gauge
Goods whose dimensions exceed those of the container/flat rack in which they are packed.
Open Cargo Policy
These are for those clients who have a regular turnover of Goods in Transit. The contract will cover all sendings which come within the scope of the insurance. Premiums are debited monthly or quarterly.
Open Charter
Where the charter-party specifies neither the kind of cargo nor the ports of destination.
Optional Stowage Bill of Lading
A bill of lading which gives the carrier the right to stow cargo wherever he sees fit, especially with respect to the stowage of containers on deck.
Ordinary Breakage
Breakage of fragile cargo which by its regularity has become accepted as inevitable loss during transit. It is not mentioned in the general exclusion clauses in the ICC (1982), but is one of the Statutory exclusions in the MIA 1906.
Occurs to cargoes of brittle nature or which are particularly subject to breakage. This is breakage which arises without the operation of an insured peril and it is not covered by the ordinary standard policy unless specifically expressed therein as being covered.
Ordinary Leakage
Natural loss of liquid in a cargo (e.g. evaporation of water in grain, evaporation of oil, contraction of oil, etc. during transit).
Orlop
Lowest deck of a ship.
Overage Additional Premium
All additional premiums charged on an open cover declaration where the carrying vessel is outside the scope of the classification clause. It may be applied, also, to additional premium charged for breach of navigational war¬ranties (e.g., institute warranties) where the ship is more than 15 years old.
OT - Open Top
A container with tarpaulin covered open roof.
Out-Turn
In shipping, this is the amount or weight of the cargo discharged from the ship.
In insurance, the expression may also refer to the condition of the cargo on discharge. This is particularly important in respect of bulk cargoes where claims are calculated on a comparison between loaded and unloaded weights.
Oxter Plate
A plate fitted to the top of a rudder post.
O.D.
Own damage or On Deck
O.D.I.C.
Owners' difference in conditions
O.F.T.
Office of Fair Trading (UK)
o/b
On or before
o/c
Open cover. Off cover
O/D
On deck
O/H - Overheight
A container/flat rack with goods protruding above the top of the corner posts.
O/W - Overwidth
A container with goods protruding beyond the sides of the container/flat rack onto which they are packed.