| ABBREVIATION |
MEANING |
| AA |
Always Afloat |
| AAAA |
Always Accessible Always Afloat |
| AAOSA |
Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition for a vessel whilst in port |
| AARA |
Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area |
| ABAFT |
Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. Behind. |
| ABOARD |
On or within the ship |
| ABOVE DECK |
On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT) |
| ABT |
About |
| ADCOM |
Address Commission |
| ADDENDUM |
Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party |
| AFSPS |
Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway) |
| AFFREIGHTMENT |
The hiring of a ship in whole or part |
| AFT |
At or towards the stern or rear of a ship |
| AGROUND |
Touching or fast to the bottom |
| AGW |
All Going Well |
| AHL |
Australian Hold Ladders |
| AIDS TO NAVIGATION |
Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters |
| ALOFT |
Above the deck of the ship |
| AMIDSHIPS |
In or toward the centre of the ship |
| ANCHORAGE |
A place suitable for anchorage in relation to the wind, seas and bottom |
| ANTHAM |
Antwerp-Hamburg Range |
| APS |
Arrival Pilot Station |
| ARAG |
Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range |
| ARBITRATION |
Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause usually in a charter party |
| A/S |
Alongside |
| ASBA |
American Shipbrokers Association |
| ASPW |
Any Safe Port in the World |
| ASTERN |
In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead |
| ATDNSHINC |
Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included |
| ATHWARTSHIPS |
At right angles to the centreline of the ship |
| ATUTC |
Actual Times Used to Count |
