| ABBREVIATION |
MEANING |
| BACKLETTER |
Where a seller/shipper issues a 'letter of indemnity' in favour of the carrier in exchange for a clean bill of lading |
| BAF |
Bunker Adjustment Factor. A Fuel Surcharge expressed as a percentage added or subtracted from the freight amount, reflecting the movement in the market place price for bunkers. |
| BALE CAP. |
Cubic capacity of a vessels holds to carry packaged dry cargo such as bales/pallets |
| BALLAST |
Heavy weight, often sea water, necessary for the stability and safety of a ship which is not carrying cargo |
| BALLAST BONUS |
Compensation for relatively long ballast voyage |
| BAREBOAT CHTR. |
Bareboat Charter - Owners lease a specific ship and control its technical management and commercial operations only. Charterers take over all responsibility for the operation of the vessel and expenses for the duration. |
| BBB |
Before Breaking Bulk. Refers to freight payments that must be received before discharge of a vessel commences |
| BDI |
Both Dates Inclusive |
| BEAM |
The maximum breadth or the greatest width of a ship |
| BELOW |
Beneath the deck |
| BENDS |
Both Ends (Load & Discharge Ports) |
| BI |
Both Inclusive |
| BIMCO |
The Baltic and International Maritime Council |
| BL1 |
Bale |
| BL2 |
(Bill of Lading) A document signed by the carrier which acts as a Contract of Affreightment, a receipt and evidence of title to the cargo. |
| BM |
Beam |
| BN |
Booking Note |
| BOB |
Bunker on Board |
| BOFFER |
Best Offer |
| BOW |
The forward part of a ship |
| BROB |
Bunkers Remaining on Board |
| BROKERAGE |
Percentage of freight payable to broker (by owners in c/p's) or applicable to sale or purchase |
| BSS |
Basis |
| BSS 1/1 |
Basis 1 Port to 1 Port |
| BT |
Berth Terms |
| BULKHEAD |
A vertical partition separating compartments |
| BUNDLING |
This is the assembly of pieces of cargo, secured into one manageable unit. This is relevant to items such as Structural Steel, Handrails, Stairways etc. Whilst this is a very flexible description, a rule of thumb is to present cargo at a size easily handled by a large (20 tonne) fork lift. |
| BUNKERS |
Name given for vessels Fuel and Diesel Oil supplies (Originates from coal bunkers) |
| BUOY |
An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard or a shoal and for mooring |
| BWAD |
Brackish Water Arrival Draft |
