O

Ocean and Rail.

O.A.

Over All

O.A.L.

Overall length

O.C.I.M.F.

Oil companies International Marine Forum

O.E.C.D.

Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, headquartered in Paris with membership consisting of the world's developed nations

O.G.P.I

Original fross premium income (reinsurance)

O.M.C.A.S.

Outstanding marine claims advisory settlements

O.N.P.I.

Original net premium income (reinsurance)

O.P.I.C.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

O.R.

Owner's risk, Original rate

O.R. DET.

Owner's Risk of Deterioration.

O.R.B.

Owner's risk of breakage.

O.S.D.

Open shelter deck

O/A

Over age

O/B

On board

O/C

Open charter. Open cover. Old charter. Old crop. Overcharge

O/D

Overdeck

O/N

Order Notify; Own Name.

O/O

Order of.

O/R

Overrideing commission

O/S

On sample, Out of stock, On sale or return

O/t

On truck

OAAOOP

On arrival at or of the port

OABE

Owners agents both ends

OAFSP

On arrival first sea pilot

OAGE

Overage

OAHPS

On arrival harbour pilot station

OAL

Overall length (same as LOA)

OAPEC

Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries

OAS

Organization of American States

OBL

Ocean Bill of Lading

OBO

Ore/bulk/oil vessel

OBO SHIP

A multipurpose ship that can carry ore, heavy dry bulk goods and oil. Although more expensive to build, they ultimately are more economical because they can make return journeys with cargo rather than empty as single-purpose ships often must.

OBQ

On board quantity

OBR

Overseas Business Report

OBU

Offshore Banking Unit

OC

Operating Committee

OCC

Oil Co-ordination Committee; Outward clearance certificate

OCD

Olio Combustibile Denso (Fuel oil)

OCEAN WAYBILL

A document, issued by a shipping line to a shipper which serves as a receipt for the goods and evidence of the contract carriage.

OCIMF

Oil Companies International Marine Forum: An oil company consultative organisation, with a secretariat based in London, funded by the oil company members to represent the Oil Industry on marine safety, marine standards and international legislation. OCIM

OCP

See Overland Common Points.

OD

Outside diameter

ODA

Official Development Assistance

ODM

Oil discharge monitor

ODPCP

Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan

ODS

Abbreviation for Operating Differential Subsidy. An amount of money the U.S. government paid U.S. shipping companies that qualify for this subsidy. The intent was to help offset the higher subsidy. The intent was to help ofset the higher cost of operating a U.S.-flag vessel. The ODS program is administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration and is being phased out.

OECD

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

OECF

Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund

OECS

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

OEL

Office of Export Licensing

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacture

OFAC

Office of Foreign Assets Control

OFD

Ocean Freight Differential

OFF-HIRE CLAUSE

In a time charter, the owner is entitled to a limited time for his vessel to be off hire until such time as the vessel may be repaired or dry-docked.

OFF-LINE

An airline that sells in a market to which it does not operate. An off-line carrier will use another operator to link with its network.

OFF-LOAD

Discharge of cargo from a ship.

OFFICER

Any of the licensed members of the ship's complement.

OFFSHORE SERVICE VESSELS

Special vessels employed in exploration for, development of or continuous production of, subsea oil and gas.

OH

Off-hire

OHA

Office of History and Archaeology (ADNR)

OHBC

Open hatch bulk carrier

OIC

Organization of the Islamic Conference

OICD

Office of International Cooperation and Development

OIL RECORD BOOK

A book or log kept by the master of an oil tanker wherein every discharge or escape of oil is recorded.

OIL TANKER

A ship designed for the carriage of oil in bulk, her cargo space consisting of several or many tanks. Tankers load their cargo by gravity from the shore or by shore pumps and discharge using their own pumps.

OILER

An unlicensed member of the engine room staff who oils and greases bearings and moving parts of the main engine and auxiliaries. Most of this work is now done automatically and the oiler merely insures it operates correctly.

OILREC

OIL RECovery

OMA

Orderly Marketing Agreement

OMC

Office of Munitions Control

ONW

Onwards

OOC

Ore oil carrier

OP

Operator

OPA

Oil Pollution Act; Owners Protecting Agent

OPA 90

The United States Oil Pollution Act 1990. The U.S. Federal Regulations concerning Oil Pollution Protection in US waters and off-shore economic exclusion areas. Requirements of the Act are contained in 33 CFR and 46 CFR .

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

OPEN POLICY

A cargo insurance policy that is an open contract; e.g., it provides protection for all of an exporter's shipments afloat or in transit within a specified geographical trade area for an unlimited period of time, until the policy is cancelled by the insured or by the insurance company. It is open because the goods that are shipped are also detailed at that time. This usually is shown in a document called a marine insurance certificate.

OPEN RATES

Pricing systems that are flexible and not subject to conference approval. Usually applied to products in which tramps are substituted for liners.

OPEN REGISTRY

A term used in place of flag of convenience or flag of necessity to denote registry in a country which offers favorable tax, regulatory, and other incentives to ship owners from other nations.

OPIC

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

OPT

Option

ORDINARY SEAMAN

(1) A deck crew member who is subordinate to the Able Bodied Seamen. (2) An apprentice AB, assists AB's bosun, and officers, keeps facilities clean.

ORE CARRIER

A large ship designed to be used for the carnage of ore. Because of the high density of ore, ore carriers have a relatively high center of gravity to prevent them being still when at sea, that is, rolling heavily with possible stress to the hull.

ORE-BULK-OIL CARRIER

A large multi-purpose ship designed to carry cargoes wither of ore or other bulk commodities or oil so as to reduce the time the ship would be in ballast if restricted to one type of commodity. This type of ship is sometimes called bulk-oil carrier.

ORFS

Abbreviation for Origin Rail Freight Station. Same as CFS at origin except an ORFS is operated by the rail carrier participating in the shipment.

ORL

Owner's Risk of Leakage.

ORW

Owner's Risk of Becoming Wet.

OS

Abbreviation for Over, Short or Damaged Usually discovered at cargo unloading

OSB

One safe berth

OSD/CSD

Open shelter deck or closed shelter deck (vessel)

OSH

Open Shelter Deck

OSIC

On-Scene Incident Commander

OSP

One safe port

OSPB

One safe port or berth

OSRO

Oil Spill Removal Organization

OSV

Offshore supply vessel

OT

Overtime

OUARTERMASTER/HELMSMAN

An able-bodied seamen entrusted with the steering of a vessel.

OVERHEAD SHIPMENT

A railroad movement involving at least three railroad carriers at which CSXT is neither the first nor the last carrier

OVERTONNAGING

A situation where there are too many ships generally or in a particular trade for the level of available cargoes.

OVs

Orientation Visits

OW

Owners

OWISE

Otherwise

OWNS

Owners

OWS

Owners

Oc B/L

Ocean bill of lading

Oc.B/L

Ocean bill of landing

Occ.

Occurrence

Ocean Bill of Lading

A receipt for the cargo and a contract for transportation between a shipper and the ocean carrier. It may also be used as an instrument of ownership which can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. To be used in this manner, it must be a negotiable Order Bill-of-Lading.- A Clean Bill-of-Lading is issued when the shipment is received in good order. If damaged or a shortage is noted, a clean bill-of-lading will not be issued.- An On Board Bill-of-Lading certifies that the cargo has been placed aboard the named vessel and is signed by the master of the vessel or his representative. On letter of credit transactions, an On Board Bill-of-Lading is usually necessary for the shipper to obtain payment from the bank. When all Bills-of-Lading are processed a ship's manifest is prepared by the steamship line. This summarizes all cargo aboard the vessel by port of loading and discharge. - An Inland Bill-of-Lading (a waybill on rail or the pro forma bill-of-lading in trucking) is used to document the transportation of the goods between the port and the point of origin or destination. It should contain information such as marks, numbers, steamship line, and similar information to match with a dock receipt

Ocean Bill of Lading (Ocean B/L)

A contract for transportation between a shipper and a carrier. It also evidences receipt of the cargo by the carrier. A bill of lading shows ownership of the cargo and, if made negotiable, can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in-transit.

Ocean Freight Differential

OFD is the amount by which the cost of the ocean freight bill for the portion of commodities required to be carried on U.S. flag vessels exceeds the cost of carrying the same amount on foreign flag vessels. When applied to agricultural commodities shipped under Food for Peace, OFD is the amount paid by the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Ocean Freight Forwarder

See: Freight Forwarder.

Offene Handelsgesellschaft

OHG (German, meaning: general partnership) is characterized by the unlimited and direct liability of all partners who are jointly and severally liable. Their liability cannot be restricted. The partnership must carry the family name of at least one partner with reference to the kind of partnership (such as & Co.).

Office of International Cooperation and Devel

The Department of Agriculture's OICD is responsible for cooperative international research, scientific and technical exchanges, and liaison with internaitonal agricultural organizations. OICD also directs training and technical assistance in efforts in approximately 80 development countries.

Office of Munitions Control

See: Defense Trade Controls.

Official Development Assistance

Financial flows to developing countries and multilateral institutions provided by official agencies of national, state, or local governments. Each transaction must be:- administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective; and concessional in character and contain a grant element of at least 25 percent.

Offsets

The term offsets is an umbrella label for a broad range of industrial and commercial compensation practices required as a condition of purchase in commercial or government-to-government sales of either military or high-cost civilian hardware. Whether commercial or military, offsets involve overseas production that results in the creation or expansion of industrial capacity in the importer's country. The compensatory forms of offset include coproduction, licensed production, subcontractor production, overseas investment, and technology transfer. Coproduction permits a foreign government or producer to acquire the technical information to manufacture all or part of a U.S.-origin article. Licensed production of a U.S.-origin article involves transfer of technical information under direct commercial arrangements between a U.S. manufacturer and a foreign government or producer. Subcontractor production of a U.S.-origin article usually involves a direct commercial arrangement between the U.S. manufacturer and a foreign producer but does not necessarily involve license of technical information. Overseas investment arising from an offset agreement involves capital contribution toward the establishment or expansion of a subsidiary or joint venture in a foreign country. Technology transfer arises from agreement to conduct research and development abroad, to provide technical assistance to a subsidiary or joint venture of overseas investment, or to perform other activities under direct commercial arrangement between a U.S. manufacturer and a foreign entity. Countries require offsets for a variety of reasons: to ease (or offset) the burden of large defense purchases on their economies, to increase domestic employment, to obtain desired technology, or to promote targeted industrial sectors. Governments sometimes impose offset requirements on foreign exporters, as a condition for approval of major sales agreements in an effort to either reduce the adverse trade impact of a major sale or to gain specified industrial benefits for the importing country. In these circumstances, offset requirements may be direct or indirect, depending on whether the goods and services are integral parts of the product. In a direct offset, a U.S. manufacturer selling a product uses a component that is made in the purchasing country. In an indirect offset, the exporter would buy products that are peripheral to the manufacture of its product. See: Countertrade

Offshore Banking Center

See: Offshore Banking Unit.

Offshore Banking Unit

An OBU is normally a foreign bank which conducts domestic moneymarket, Eurocurrency, and foreign exchange settlements. OBUs cannot accept domestic depostis but their activities are unrestricted by domestic authorities. OBUs are located in major financial centers (known as offshore banking centers) with liberal reserve, tax, and capital market requirements.

Offshore Manufacturing

Offshore manufacturing is the foreign manufacture of goods by a domestic firm primarily for import into its home country.

Offshore Support Vessel

A single or multi functional offshore support vessel

Offshore Tug/Supply Ship

A vessel for the transportation of stores and goods to offshore platforms on an open stern deck and equipped with a towing facility

Oil Storage Barge, non propelled

A non propelled storage barge for dry cargoes

Oil Tanker, Inland Waterways

A tanker for the bulk carriage of refined petroleum products, either clean or dirty, which is not suitable for trading in open waters

Old-To-Market

As defined by the International Trade Administration, old-to-market is a term which refers to committed/experienced larger-scale firms. A significant portion of manufacturing capability may be foreign sourced. Export sales volume is often in excess of 15 percent of total sales.

On Board

A notation on a bill of lading that cargo has been loaded on board a vessel. Used to satisfy the requirements of a letter of credit, in the absence of an express requirement to the contrary.

On Deck

A notation on a bill of lading that the cargo has been stowed on the open deck of the ship.

Open Account

A trade arrangement in which goods are shipped to a foreign buyer before, and without written guarantee of, payment. Because this method poses an obvious risk to the supplier, it is essential that the buyer's integrity be unquestionable.

Open Bulk Cargo Barge, non propelled

A non propelled open barge for the carriage of bulk cargoes

Open Hatch Cargo Ship

A large single deck cargo vessel with full width hatches and boxed holds for the carriage of unitised dry cargo such as forest products and containers. Many are fitted with a gantry crane

Open Insurance Policy

A marine insurance policy that applies to all shipments made by an exporter over a period of time rather than to one shipment only.

Open Top Container

A container fitted with a solid removable roof, or with a tarpaulin roof so the container can be loaded or unloaded from the top. Shipping container that has an open top instead of a solid roof to enable cargo, such as timber, to be loaded from the top. The container is covered by waterproof sheeting while in transit.

Operating Committee

The Operating Committee (chaired by the Commerce Department) is the first step in resolving interagency disputes over the disposition of license applications for dual-use items not reviewed by one of the other interagency working groups. The other working groups include: (a) the Subgroup on Nuclear Export Coordination (SNEC), chaired by State for applications involving nuclear concerns; (b) the Missile Technology Export Control Group (MTEC), chaired by State for applications involving missile technology concerns; and (c) the Shield, chaired by State for applications involving chemical or biological warfare concerns. These committees review applications and participate in the dispute resolution. Prior to any escalation to the Advisory Committee on Export Policy (ACEP), all applications must be reviewed by one of these working groups. See: Advisory Committee on Export Policy

Operating Differential Subsidy

ODS is a payment which the U.S. government makes to vessels carrying the American flag to offset the difference in operating costs between U.S. and foreign carriers.

Operating Ratio

A comparison of a carrier's operating expense with its net sales. The most general measure of operating efficiency.

Operation Exodus

Operation Exodus is a U.S. Customs Service export enforcement program that was developed in 1981 to help stem the flow of the illegal export of U.S.-sourced arms and technology to the Soviet bloc and other prohibited destinations.

Optimum Cube

The highest level of cube utilization that can be achieved when loading cargo into a container.

Optional Discharge B/L

B/L covering cargo with more than one discharge point option possibility

Order-Notify (O/N)

A bill of lading term to provide surrender of the original bill of lading before freight is released; usually associated with a shipment covered under a letter of credit.

Orderly Marketing Agreement

A bilateral agreement between governments by which one government limits exports to the other. Similar to a voluntary export restriction agreement or a voluntary restraint agreement. Used to address injury to a domestic industry. Contracts negotiated between two or more governments, in which the exporting nation undertakes to ensure that international trade in specified sensitive products will not disrupt, threaten, or impair competitive industries or workers in importing countries.

Orderly Marketing Agreements (OMA)

Bilateral agreements limiting imports from one country to another. OMAs are generally undertaken to avoid imposition of unilateral import restrictions.

Ore Carrier

A single deck cargo ship fitted with two longitudinal bulkheads. Ore is carried in the centreline holds only

Ore/Bulk/Products Carrier

A bulk carrier arranged for the alternative (but not simultaneous) carriage of oil products

Ore/Oil Carrier

An ore carrier arranged for the alternative (but not simultaneous) carriage of crude oil

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Dev

OECD provides a forum for discussion of common economic and social issues facing the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. OECD was founded in September 1960 as successor to the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) which had administered European participation in the Marshall Plan. OECD seeks to achieve the highest sustainable economic growth and employment and a rising standard of living in member countries while maintaining financial stability and thus contribute to the world economy. Members include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. OECD headquarters are in Paris, France. See: Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits

Organization for the Development of the Seneg

The Organization (French: Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Senegal, OMVS) promotes hydroelectric, irrigation and navigation use of the Senegal river. The organization was established in March 1972; headquarters are in Dakar, Senegal. Members include: Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal.

Organization of African Trade Union Unity

OATUU is recognized as the sole representative of African organized labor by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). OATUU is formally non-aligned and independent of all internaitonal trade union organizations, but maintains relations with trade unions worldwide. OATUU headquarters are in Accra, Ghana.

Organization of African Unity

The OAU, founded in May 1963 with 32 African countries, has since grown beyond 5 members. The Organization aims to further African unity and solidarity, to coordinate political, economic, cultural, scientific, and defense policies; and to eliminate colonialism in Africa. Members include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethopia, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. OAU headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Organization of American States

The OAS (Spanish: Organizacion de los Estados Americanos, OEA), or the Pan American Union, is a regional organization created in Bogota, Colombia in April 1948 (entered into force in December 1951) which promotes Latin American economic and social development. Members include the United States, Mexico, and most Central American, South American, and Caribbean nations. Members include: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (participation suspended), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Christopher-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The U.S. accredits an Ambassador to the OAS. The OAS secretariat is located in Washington, D.C. See: Sistema de Informacion al Comercio Exterior

Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Coun

OAPEC was created in 1968; members include: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. See: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

OECS was intended to promote territorial integrity; changing focus includes the recent founding of an export development agency. The Organization was established in 1981; headquarters are in St. Lucia. Members include: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

An association of the world's oil-producing countries, formed in 1960, with headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The chief purpose of OPEC is to coordinate the petroleum policies of its members: Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. See: Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Organization of the Islamic Conference

The OIC, established in May 1971, promotes cooperation in cultural, economics, scientific and social areas among Islamic nations. Headquarters are located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. About half the ICO members are also members of the Organization of African Unity. OIC members include: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Origin

Location where shipment begins its movement

Original B/L

The part of the B/L set that has value, especially when negotiable; rest of set are only informational file copies. Abbreviated as OBL

Original Bill of Lading (OBL)

A document which requires proper signatures for consummating carriage of contract. Must be marked as original by the issuing carrier.

Other Activities, Inland Waterways

A vessel used for an undefined activity. Not designed for operation in open sea

Out Gate

Transaction or interchange that occurs at the time a container leaves a rail or water terminal.

Overage

Quantity of cargo loaded in excess of minimum agreed

Overcharge

To charge more than the proper amount according to the published rates

Overheight Cargo

Cargo more than eight feet high which thus cannot fit into a standard container

Overland Common Point (OCP)

A term stated on the bills of lading offering lower shipping rates to importers east of the Rockies, provided merchandise from the Far East comes in through the West Coast ports. OCP rates were established by U.S. West Coast steamship companies in conjunction with western railroads so that cargo originating or destined for the American Midwest and East would be competitive with all-water rates via the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf ports. Applies to eastern Canada.

Overseas Business Reports

These are marketing studies of America's major trading partners which provide updated export and economic outlooks, industrial trends, trade regulations, distribution and sales channels, transportation, and credit situation in individual countries.

Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund

The OECF, a Japanese government development financial institution, provides developing countries and areas with grants and long-term, low-interest loans. As a result of difficulty in distinguishing between the Fund and the Export-Import Bank of Japan, a 1975 reorganization put OECF in charge of all direct loans to be made as official development assistance (ODA) with the grant element of 25 percent of more. The Fund was created in 1961; headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. See: Export-Import Bank of Japan Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

OPIC is a government corporation which assists U.S. private investments in less developed nations by providing direct loans and loan guarantees, insuring against a broad range of political risks, and providng a variety of investor services. The overseas investments may include distributorships owned by U.S. manufacturers which are consistent with the economic interests of both the United States and the developing country involved. OPIC was formed as a part of the Agency for International Development in 1961 and became an independent agency 10 years later

Owner Code (SCAC)

Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code identifying an individual common carrier. A three letter carrier code followed by a suffix identifies the carrier's equipment. A suffix of U is a container and C is a chassis.

Oxygenation Vessel

A vessel designed for re-oxygenating waterways where waters have low levels of oxygen through pollution