S

South; Summer loadline

S & P

Sale and purchase

S d/k

Shelter deck

S+R

Signing and Releasing

S+R B/L

Signing and Releasing Bill(s) of Lading

S. & A.

Signing and accounting (procedure)

S. & F.A.

Shipping and Forwarding Agent

S. & H/exct.

Sundays and holidays excepted in lay days

S. & L.

Sue & Labor (charges)

S. B.

Short Bill

S. to S.

Station to station

S.A.

Salvage Association

S.B.M.

Single buoy mooring

S.C.A.

Settlement of claims abroad

S.C.O.R.

Scientific Commission on Oceanic Research

S.D.

Sea damage

S.D.A.

Single administrative document

S.D.H.F.

Standard Dutch Hull Form

S.E.P.

Subject to endorsement on the policy

S.H.P.

Shaft horse-power

S.I.

Short Interest, Sum Insured International System of Units (System International)

S.I.T.P.R.O

Simplification of Industrial Trade Procedures Boad

S.K.D.

Semi knocked down

S.O.

Seller's option

S.O.L.

Ship owner's liability

S.O.S.

Service of suit

S.P.

Supra Protest

S.R.L.

Ship repairers' liability

S.S. & C.

Same sea and country or coast

S.S.C.

Simultaneous settlements clause

S.S.N.

Standard shipping notice

S.THR.

Side Thruster

S.W.

Shipper's weights

S.W.D.

Seawater damage

S.W.G.

Standard wire gauge

S.d.

Short delivery

S/A

Subject to Acceptance (insurance)

S/D

Abbreviation for: - Sight draft. - Sea damage.

S/F

Statement of facts

S/Fee

Survey Fee

S/I

Sum insured

S/IOGA

State/Industry-Organized, Government-Approved

S/L

Sue and labor

S/L.C.

Sue and labor clause

S/L.Ch.

Sue and labor charges

S/N

Shipping note

S/O

Ship owner

S/R B/L

Signing and Releasing Bill(s) of Lading

S/S

Suez laden, Suez ballast

S/S/R/CMA

Stem, suppliers, receivers, charterers management

S/a

Safe arrival; subject to approval

SA

Safe Anchorage;South America; South Australia; South Africa; Safe Anchorage; Salvage Association

SA de CV

Sociedad Anonima

SA/SHEX

Saturday afternoon/Sundays and holidays excepted.(Excluded)

SAARC

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SABIO

Stem and Berth in order

SABIT

Special American Business Internship Training Program

SABS

South African Bureau of Standards

SACU

Southern African Customs Union

SADC

Southern African Development Community

SALM

Single anchor leg mooring

SALVAGE

(1) The rescue of goods from loss at sea or by fire. Also, goods so saved, or payment made or due for their rescue. (2) The property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the vessel herself.

SANDP

Sale and purchase

SAR

Search And Rescue

SARL

Societe e Responsabilite Limitee

SATCOM

Satellite Communication

SATNAV

Satellite Navigation

SATPM

Saturday P.M

SATPMSHEX

Saturdays PM Sundays and holidays excluded

SATSHEX

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded

SATSHINC

Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included

SB

Safe berth

SBE

Standby engine

SBM

Single buoy mooring; Soyabean meal

SBM/SPM

Single buoy/point mooring

SBS

Safe berth

SBT

Segregated Ballast Tanks: These are tanks that are completely segregated from the cargo oil and fuel oil systems and which are permanently allocated to the carriage of ballast. Requirements for meeting the SBT criteria are detailed in MARPOL 13.

SBT/PL

Segregated Ballast Tanks Protectively Located

SCAC

Standard Carrier Alpha Code

SCAC Code

See Owner Code.

SCHEDULED FLIGHT

Any service that operates under a set timetable.

SCNT

Suez Canal Net Tonnage

SCP

Sub-area Contingency Plan (10 regional plans that supplement the AK Unified Plan)

SCR (SPECIFIED COMMODITY RATE)

A rate applied to narrowly specified commodities and usually granted on relatively large shipments. Theoretically, it is of limited time duration.

SD

Self Discharging

SDBC

Single Decker bulk carrier

SDNs

Specially Designated Nationals

SDR

Special drawing right (limitation of liability)

SDSTBC

Single Decker Self-trimming bulk carrier

SDWT

Summer deadweight

SEA

South East Asia

SEA TRIALS

A series of trials conducted by the builders during which the owner's representatives on board act in a consulting and checking capacity to determine if the vessel has met the specifications.

SEABEE

Sea-barge, a barge carrier design similar to LASH but which uses rollers to move the barges aboard the ship; the self-propelled loaded barges are themselves loaded on board as cargo and are considerably larger than those loaded on LASH ships.

SEAFREIGHT

Costs charged for transporting goods over the sea. This SEAFREIGHT does not cover any haulage or loading/discharging costs but the sea transport only.

SEAL

A device fastened to the doors on a railcar or trailer used to secure its contents and to insure the integrity of a shipment

SEAWORTHINESS

(1) Statement on the condition of the vessel. It has valid certificates, is fully equipped and manned (2) The sufficiency of a vessel in materials construction, equipment, crew and outfit for the trade in which it is employed. Any sort of disrepair to the vessel by which the cargo may suffer - overloading, untrained officers, etc., may constitute a vessel unseaworthy.

SEAWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE

A certificate issued by a classification society surveyor to allow a vessel to proceed after she has met with a mishap that may have affected its seaworthiness. It is frequently issued to enable a vessel to proceed, after temporary repairs have been effected, to another port where permanent repairs are then carried out.

SECTOR

The distance between two ground points within a route.

SED

U.S. Commerce Department document, Shipper's Export Declaration.

SEED

Support for East European Democracy

SELF-SUSTAINING

A vessel that has its own cranes and equipment mounted on board for loading and unloading. Used in ports where shore cranes and equipment are lacking.

SELF-SUSTAINING SHIP

A containership which has her own crane for loading and discharging shipping containers enabling the ship to serve ports which do not have suitable lifting equipment.

SELF-UNLOADER

A bulk carrier which is equipped with gear for unloading cargo.

SELFD

Self Discharging

SELFDISCH

Self Discharging

SEM

Seminar Mission

SEMI-TRAILERS

Are usually 12.0 meter flatbed road trailers

SEMISUBMERSIBLE

Deck supported by pillars, fastened to pontoons. The pontoons are half submerged during operations. Kept in position by anchors (or by dynamic positioning). Normally equipped with its own propulsion machinery.

SEPD

State Export Program Database

SERM

SERM - SIRE Enhanced Report Manager: SIRE Tanker and Barge Reports and VPQs/BPQs are available electronically 24 hours a day, 365 days per year via the internet to qualified Recipients. SIRE recipients are kept abreast of details of reports held in the d

SF

San Francisco; Stowage factor; Summer Freeboard

SFA

Securities and Futures Authority

SFS

Sun Flowers

SFSC

Shared Foreign Sales Corporation

SFW

Solo Fair (Washington procured)

SG

Specific gravity

SGA

Selling, General and Administrative (Expenses)

SHEX

Saturday and Holidays Excluded.

SHEXEIU

Sundays and holidays excepted, even if used

SHEXEIUBE

Sundays and holidays excepted, even if used both end

SHEXUU

Sundays and holidays excepted, unless used

SHIELD

SHIELD is an interagency export control committee that reviews licenses involving chemical or biological weapons.

SHIFTING

This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another. This can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargoworthiness of the ship.

SHINC

Saturday and Holidays Included.

SHIP'S AGENT

A person or firm who transacts all business in a port on behalf of shipowners or charterers. Also called shipping agent; agent.

SHIP'S STABILITY

The seaworthiness of a ship regarding the centrifugal force which enables her to remain upright.

SHIPPER'S COUNCIL

An organization of shippers formed to collectively and services with the conferences of ship operators.

SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION (SED)

A form required by the U.S. Treasury Department and completed by a shipper showing the value, weight, consignee, and destination of export shipments as well as the Schedule B identification number.

SHORT TON

2,000 pounds.

SHORT-SHIPPED

Cargo manifested but not loaded.

SHPO

State Historic Preservation Office (or Officer)

SHU

Shuaibu

SHex.

Sundays and Holidays excepted

SHinc.

Sundays and Holidays included

SIC

Standard Industrial Classification

SID

Single decker

SIECA

Permanent Secretariat of the General Treaty on Central American Economic Integration

SIGGTO

The Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators: The Society is a non-profit making company, formed to promote high operating standards and best practices in gas tankers and terminals throughout the world. It provides technical advice and s

SIM

Similar

SINGLE-LINE HAUL

Shipment over one railroad

SIRE

Ship Inspection Report Exchange: The OCIMF managed database system that will hold the Inspection Reports carried out by participating members. The aim is to reduce the duplication of the number of inspections carried out on vessels.

SITC

Standard International Tariff Classification

SITPRO

Simplification of International Trade Procedures (Board)

SKIDS

Are bearers (timber or steel) positioned under cargo to enable fork lift handling at port, and for ease of rigging and lashing on board ship

SKO

Superior kerosene oil

SKOR

South Korea

SL

Sailed

SL/W

Shippers load and count. All three clauses are used as needed on the bill of lading to exclude the carrier from liability when the cargo is loaded by the shipper

SLOP TANK

A tank in a tanker into which slops are pumped. These represent a residue of the ship's cargo of oil together with the water used to clean the cargo tanks. They are left to separate out in the slop tank.

SLPTA

Slop Tanks

SLT

Sludge Tank

SMC

Safety Management Certificate

SMM

Safety Management Manual (ISM)

SMS

Safety Management System

SOB

Shipped on board

SOC

Shipper Owned Container

SOF

Statement of facts

SOFT CURRENCY

Currency which is not fully convertible to all currencies but only to some other soft currencies.

SOLAS

International Convention for Safety Of Life At Sea (1974/78): The International regulations which relates to the safe construction and safety equipment to be carried on all sea going self propelled vessels.

SOM

Swedish Official Measure

SOPEP

Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan (ISM)

SOSC

State On-Scene (On-Site) Commander

SOUS PALAN

Under hook

SP

Safe Port

SPA

Abbreviation for Subject to Particular Average. See also Particular Average.

SPASS

Skaw - Passero range

SPB

St. PetersBurg

SPD

Speed, Ship pays dues

SPD/CONS.

Speed and Consumption

SPLC (STANDARD POINT LOCATION CODE )

An industry wide standard used to identify a location served by a common carrier

SPM

Single point mooring

SPN

Spain

SPORE

Singapore

SPOT (VOYAGE)

A charter for a particular vessel to move a single cargo between specified loading port(s) and discharge port(s) in the immediate future. Contract rate (spot rate) covers total operating expenses, i.e., bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, crew's wages and food, insurance and repairs. Cargo owner absorbs, in addition, any expenses specifically levied against the cargo.

SPT

Spot

SR

Soviet Register

SRBL

Signing and Releasing Bill(s) of Lading

SRC

Slops Receiving Station

SRT

Spill Response Team

SS

Service speed; Special Survey; Steamship

SS and C

Same sea and country coast

SSB

Single Side Band

SSC

Scientific Support Coordinator

SSHEX

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded

SSHINC

Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays Included

SSW

Summer salt water

ST

Side tank

STABILITY

It is paramount that a vessel is stable in all respects at all times. When cargo is loaded / discharged, the stability is monitored by a computer, which takes into account the weight and position of cargo within the vessel

STAND-BY VESSEL

Stationed near an offshore in-stallation, responsible for evacuating its crew in emergencies. Also performs continuous guard function, warning other vessels to keep their distance from installations, etc.

STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (

A standard numerical code system developed by the United Nations to classify commodities used in international trade.

STBC

Self-trimming bulk carrier

STBD

Starboard

STC

Said to contain.

STCC

Abbreviation for Standard Transportation Commodity Code.

STCW

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978

STDS

Standards

STEAMSHIP AGENT

A duly appointed and authorized representative in a specified territory acting on behalf of a steamship line or lines and attending to all matters relating to the vessels owned by his principals.

STEAMSHIP LINE

A company usually having the following departments: vessel operations, container operations, tariff department, booking, outbound rates, inward rates, and sales. The company can maintain its own in-country offices to handle regional sales, operations, or other matters, or appoint steamship agents to represent them doing the same. Some lines have liner offices in several regions and appointed agents in others.

STEM

Referring to the readiness of cargo which is often a prerequisite to the fixing of a vessel

STERN

The foremost part of a ship

STERNWAY

The reverse movement of a vessel.

STEW CONVE

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978

STEWARD ASSISTANT

Clean galley and mess halls, set tables, prepare salads, and clean living quarters.

STEWCODE

Seafarers training certification and watch-keeping

STG

Salvage tug

STL

Steel

STORAGE CHARGE

A penalty assessed to shippers or consignees for holding private trailers or containers at the origin or destination terminal in excess of allotted free time

STORE

A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship for the maintenance of the crew, and for the navigation, propulsion, and upkeep of the vessel and its equipment.

STOWAGE

(a) The lacing of cargo in a vessel in such a manner as to provide the utmost safety and efficiency for the ship and the goods it carries. (b) The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also in between ports when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.

STOWAGE FACTOR

Cubic space (measurement tons occupied by one ton (2240 lbs. or 1000 kgs of cargo))

STRIKES, RIOTS, AND CIVIL COMMOTIONS

An insurance clause referring to loss or damage directly caused by strikers, locked-out workmen, persons' participation in labor disturbances, and riots of various kinds. The ordinary marine insurance policy does not cover this risk. Coverage against it can be added only by endorsement.

STS

ship to ship

STW

Said to weigh.

SUB

Subjects

SUBS

Subjects

SUBSIDY

An economic benefit granted by a government to producers of goods or services, often to strengthen their competitive position. Sue & Labor Cause. A provision in marine insurance obligating the assured to do things necessary after a loss to prevent further loss and to act in the best interests of the insurer.

SURETY BOND

A bond insuring against loss or damage or for the completion of obligations

SV

Sailing vessel

SWAD

Salt Water Arrival Draft

SWD

Salt water draft

SWDD

Salt water departure draft

SWL

Safe working load

SWSD

Salt Water Sailing Draft

SWW

Single Swinging Winches

SYNA

Synacomex

Safeguards

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) permits two forms of multilateral safeguards: (a) a country's right to impose temporary import controls or other trade restrictions to prevent commercial injury to domestic industry, and (b) the corresponding right of exporters not to be deprived arbitrarily of access to markets. Article XIX of the GATT permits a country whose domestic industries or workers are adversely affected by increased imports to withdraw or modify concessions the country had earlier granted, to impose, for a limited period, new import restrictions if the country can establish that a product is being imported in such increased quantities as to cause or threaten serious injury to domestic producers, and to keep such restrictions in effect for a such time as may be necessary to prevent or remedy such injury

Sail Training Ship

A sailing vessel used to train merchant/naval seamen or youth training.

Sailing Vessel

A sailing vessel of unspecified function

Sales Representative

An agent who distributes, represents, services, or sells goods on behalf of foreign sellers.

Salvage Ship

A vessel equipped for salvage operations

Salvage Vessel, Naval Auxiliary

A naval auxiliary vessel fitted with salvage equipment.

Sanction

An embargo imposed by a Government against another country.

Saudi Arabian Standards Organization

SASO was established in April 1972 as the sole Saudi Arabian government organization to promulgate standards and measurements in the kingdom. Primarily, SASO promulgates standards for electrical equipment and some food products. Some of these standards have been adopted by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Schedule B

Schedule B is a U.S. Bureau of the Census publication and is based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System). Export statistics are initially collected and compiled in terms of approxiximately 8,000 commodity classifications in Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. See: Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated

Scope Determinations

Scope determinations deal with the product coverage of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. The Department of Commerce will determine -- in response to an application from an interested party or on its own initiative -- whether a certain product is included within the scope of an antidumpting and countervailing duty order.

Sea Waybill

Document indicating the goods were loaded onboard when a document of title (b/L) is not needed. Typically used when a company is shipping goods to itself.

Sea-Bee Vessels

Ocean vessels constructed with heavy-duty submersible hydraulic lift or elevator system at the stern of the vessel. The Sea-Bee system facilitates forward transfer and positioning of barges. Sea-Bee barges are larger than LASH barges. The Sea-Bee system is no longer used.

Seagoing (voyage)

The part of a voyage that is not wholly within inland waterways or harbour walls / port limits.

Seal Catcher

A vessel equipped for catching seals

Search & Rescue Vessel

A vessel equipped for rapid response search & rescue operations

Section 201

Section 201, the escape clause provision of the Trade Act of 1974, permits temporary import relief, not to exceed a maximum of eight years, to a domestic industry which is seriously injured, or threatened with serious injury, due to increased imports. Import relief, granted at the President's discretion, generally takes the form of increased tariffs or quantitative restrictions. To be eligible for section 201 relief, the International Trade Commission (ITC) must determine that: (a) the industry has been seriously injured or threatened to be injured and (b) imports have been a substantial cause (not less than any other cause) of that injury. Industries need not prove that an unfair trade practice exists, as is necessary under the antidumping and countervailing duty laws. However, under section 201, a greater degree of injury -- serious injury -- must be found to exist, and imports must be a substantial cause (defined as not less than any other cause) of that injury. If the ITC finding is affirmative, the President's remedy may be a tariff increase, quantitative restrictions, or orderly marketing agreements. At the conclusion of any relief action, the Commission must report on the effectiveness of the relief action in facilitating the positive adjustment of the domestic industry to import competition. If the decision is made not to grant relief, the President must provide an explanation to the Congress. See: Escape clause Trade Act of 1974

Section 232

Under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, Commerce determines whether articles are being imported into the U.S. in quantities or circumstances that threaten national security. Based on the investigation report, the President can adjust imports of the article(s) in question. Commerce must report on the effects these imports have on national security and make recommendations for action or inaction within 270 days after starting an investigation. Within 90 days of the report, the President decides whether to take action to adjust imports on the basis of national security. The President must notify Congress of his decision within 30 days. See: Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Section 301

Under section 301, firms can complain about a foreign country's trade policies or practices that are harmful to U.S. commerce. The section empowers the USTR to investigate the allegations and to negotiate the removal of any trade barriers. USTR may also self-initiate investigations. Specific timeframes for conducting the investigations are specified by law. Section 301 requires that GATT's dispute resolution process be invoked where applicable and, if negotiations fail, to retaliate within 180 days from the date that discovery of a trade agreement violation took place.

Section 337

Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 requires investigations of unfair practices in import trade. Under this authority, the International Trade Commission applies U.S. statutory and common law of unfair competition to the importation of products into the United States and their sale. Section 337 prohibits unfair competition and unfair importing practices and sales of products in the U.S., when these threaten to: (a) destroy or substantially injure a domestic industry, (b) prevent the establishment of such an industry, or (c) restrain or monopolize U.S. trade and commerce. Section 337 also prohibits infringement of U.S. patents, copyrights, registered trademarks, or mask works.

Section 416

Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 provides for the donation of food and feed commodities owned by Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation and is focused on people in developing countries.

Selling, General and Administrative (Expenses

SGA is the sum of:- General and administrative expenses (such as: salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, heat, and light); - Direct selling expenses (that is, expenses that can be directly tied to the sale of a specific unit, such as: credit, warranty, and advertising expenses); and - Indirect selling expenses (that is, expenses which cannot be directly tied to the sale of a specific unit but which are proportionally allocated to all units sold during a certain period, such as: telephone, interest, and postal charges).

Semiconductor Trade Arrangement

The U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Trade Arrangement is a bilateral agreement which came into effect on August 1, 1991, replacing the prior 1986 Semiconductor Trade Arrangement. The new Arrangement contains provisions to: (a) increase foreign access to the Japanese semiconductor market and (b) deter dumping of semiconductors by Japanese suppliers into the U.S. market, as well as in third country markets. In evaluating market access improvement, both governments agreed to pay particular attention to market share. The expectation of a 20 percent foreign market share by the end of 1992 is included in the Arrangement. The Arrangement explicitly states, however, that the 20 percent figure is not a guarantee, a ceiling, or a floor on the foreign market share

Senior Commercial Officer

The SCO is the senior U.S. and Foreign Commercial Officer at an embassy and reports in-country to the Ambassador. At major posts, this position carries the title of Commercial Counselor; in key posts, Minister Counselor. Usually reporting to the SCO are a Commercial Attache and Commercial officers. The latter are sometimes assigned to subordinate posts throughout the country.

Sep.

Separation procedure (signing and accounting)

Service

A string of vessels which makes a particular voyage and serves a particular market.

Service Contract

As provided in the Shipping Act of 1984, a contract between a shipper (or a shippers association) and an ocean common carrier (or conference) in which the shipper makes a commitment to provide a certain minimum quantity of cargo or freight revenue over a fixed time period, and the ocean common carrier or conference commits to a certain rate or rate schedule as well as a defined service level (such as assured space, transit time, port rotation or similar service features). The contract may also specify provisions in the event of nonperformance on the part of either party.

Shared Foreign Sales Corporation

A shared FSC is a foreign sales corporation consisting of more than one and less than 25 unrelated exporters. See: Foreign Sales Corporation.

Sheerlegs Pontoon

A pontoon with sheerlegs for lifting

Ship

Means all self propelled vessels in excess of 100 tons gross, designed for the carriage of bulk oil, liquefied gas or chemicals and which are chartered for sea going trade, i.e. a seagoing tanker vessel

Ship Chandler

An individual or company selling equipment and supplies for ships

Ship Demurrage

A charge for delaying a steamer beyond a stipulated period.

Ship's Bells

Measure time onboard ship. One bell sounds for each half hour. One bell means 12:30, two bells mean 1:00, three bells mean 1:30, and so on until 4:00 (eight bells). At 4:30 the cycle begins again with one bell.

Ship's Manifest

A list, signed by the captain of a ship, of the individual shipments constituting the ship's cargo. A statement listing the particulars of all shipments loaded for a specified voyage.

Ship's Tackle

All rigging, cranes, etc., utilized on a ship to load or unload cargo.

Shipment

A shipment is all of the cargo carried under the terms of a single bill of lading.The tender of one lot of cargo at one time from one shipper to one consignee on one bill of lading.

Shipper

The person or company who is usually the supplier or owner of commodities shipped. Also called Consignor.

Shipper's Export Declaration

A form required by the Treasury Department and completed by a shipper showing the value, weight, consignee, destination, etc., of export shipments as well as Harmonized Schedule B (see above) identification number.

Shipper's Export Declaration (SED,"Ex Dec")

A joint Bureau of the Census' International Trade Administration form used for compiling U.S. exports. It is completed by a shipper and shows the value, weight, destination, etc., of export shipments as well as Schedule B commodity code.

Shipper's Instructions

Shipper's communication(s) to its agent and/or directly to the international water-carrier. Instructions may be varied, e.g., specific details/clauses to be printed on the B/L, directions for cargo pickup and delivery.

Shipper's Letter of Instructions for issuing

The document required by the carrier or freight forwarders to obtain (besides the data needed) authorization to issue and sign the air waybill in the name of the shipper.

Shipper's Load & Count (SL)

Shipments loaded and sealed by shippers and not checked or verified by the carriers.

Shippers Association

A non-profit entity that represents the interests of a number of shippers. The main focus of shippers associations is to pool the cargo volumes of members to leverage the most favorable service contract rate levels.

Shipping Act of 1916

The act of the U.S. Congress (1916) that created the U.S. Shipping Board to develop water transportation, operate the merchant ships owned by the government, and regulate the water carriers engaged in commerce under the flag of the United States. As of June 18, 1984, applies only to domestic offshore ocean transport.

Shipping Act of 1984

Effective June 18, 1984, describes the law covering water transportation in the U.S. foreign trade.

Shipping Act of 1998

Amends the Act of 1984 to provide for confidential service contracts and other items.

Shipping Order

Shipper's instructions to carrier for forwarding goods; usually the triplicate copy of the bill of lading.

Shipping Weight

Shipping weight represents the gross weight in kilograms of shipments, including the weight of moisture content, wrappings, crates, boxes, and containers (other than cargo vans and similar substantial outer containers).

Shopping Complex

A vessel adapted for uses as a shopping complex

Shore

A prop or support placed against or beneath anything to prevent sinking or sagging.

Short Supply

Commodities in short supply may be subject to export controls to protect the domestic economy from the excessive drain of scarce materials and to reduce the serious inflationary impact of satisfying foreign demand. Items that the U.S. controls for short supply purposes include petroleum and petroleum products, unprocessed western red cedar, and shipment of horses by sea. The controls are included in the Export Administration Regulations.

Short Term B/L

Opposite of Long Form B/L, a B/L without the Terms & Conditions written on it. Also known as a Short Form B/L. The terms are incorporated by reference to the long form B/L.

Short Ton (ST)

2,000 pounds.

Shrink Wrap

Polyethylene or similar substance heat-treated and shrunk into an envelope around several units, thereby securing them as a single pack for presentation or to secure units on a pallet.

Shuttle Tanker

A tanker for the bulk carriage of crude oil specifically for operation between offshore terminals and refineries. Is typically fitted with bow loading facilities

Side Loader

A lift truck fitted with lifting attachments operating to one side for handling containers.

Side-Door Container

A container fitted with a rear door and a minimum of one side door.

Sight Draft

A draft payable upon presentation to the drawee

Single European Act

The SEA, which entered into force in July 1987, was the first significant revision of the Treaty of Rome. The SEA provides the legal and procedural support for achievement of the single European Market by 1992. The SEA revised the EEC Treaty and, where not already provided for in the Treaty, majority decisions were introduced for numerous votes facing the Council of Ministers, particularly those affecting establishment of the single European Market and the European financial common market. The role of the European Parliament was strengthened; decisions on fiscal matters remained subject to unanimity.

Single Internal Market Information Service

SIMIS, operated by the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, provides information, assistance, and advice on how to do business in the European Community's internal market

Sistema de Informacion al Comercio Exterior -

(English: Foreign Trade Information System) is a databank which provides foreign trade information to the public and private sectors of member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS). The System includes information on the U.S. import and export markets, markets of other OAS member countries, and trade information on the European Community and Japan

Sk.

Sack

Skids

Battens, or a series of parallel runners, fitted beneath boxes or packages to raise them clear of the floor to permit easy access of forklift blades or other handling equipment.

Sleepers

Loaded containers moving within the railroad system that are not clearly identified on any internally generated reports.

Sling

A wire or rope contrivance placed around cargo and used to load or discharge it to/from a vessel.

Slip

A vessel's berth between two piers.

Spine Car

An articulated five-platform railcar. Used where height and weight restrictions limit the use of stack cars. It holds five 40-foot containers or combinations of 40- and 20-foot containers.

Split B/L

One of two or more B/L's which have been split from a single B/L

Spotting

Placing a container where required to be loaded or unloaded.

Spreader

A piece of equipment designed to lift containers by their corner castings

Stability

The force that holds a vessel upright or returns it to upright if keeled over. Weight in the lower hold increases stability. A vessel is stiff if it has high stability, tender if it has low stability.

Stack Car

An articulated five-platform rail car that allows containers to be double stacked. A typical stack car holds ten 40-foot equivalent units (FEU's).

Stacktrain

A rail service whereby rail cars carry containers stacked two high on specially operated unit trains. Each train includes up to 35 articulated multi-platform cars. Each car is comprised of 5 well-type platforms upon which containers can be stacked. No chassis accompany containers.

Stale B/L

A late B/L; in banking, a B/L which has passed the time deadline of the L/C and is void

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

A standard numerical code used by the U.S. Government to classify products and services.

Standard International Trade Classification

A standard numeric code developed by the United Nations to classify commodities used in international trade, based on a hierarchy.

Standby Safety Vessel

A vessel primarily equipped to perform safety standby duties. Will be fitted with accommodation and facilities for the rescue, reception and initial care of survivors from offshore installations accidents

Starboard

The right side of a ship when facing the bow.

Statute Of Limitation

A law limiting the time in which claims or suits may be instituted.

Steam Supply Pontoon, non propelled

A non propelled pontoon used for the purpose of generating a steam supply

Steamship Conference

A group of vessel operators joined together for the purpose of establishing freight rates.

Steamship Guarantee

An indemnity issued to the carrier by a bank; protects the carrier against any possible losses or damages arising from release of the merchandise to the receiving party. This instrument is usually issued when the bill of lading is lost or is not available.

Stern

The end of a vessel. Opposite of bow.

Stern Trawler

A vessel for catching fish by trawling with nets handled over the stern

Stevedore

Individual or firm that employs longshoremen and who contracts to load or unload the ship.

Stone Carrier

A vessel for the carriage of large stones for the construction of breakwaters and the like; stones are discharged sideways from a flat deck

Store-Door Pick-up Delivery

A complete package of pick up or delivery services performed by a carrier from origin to final consumption point.

Straddle Carrier

Mobile truck equipment with the capacity for lifting a container within its own framework.

Straight

A letter of credit that contains a limited engagement clause which states that the issuing bank promises to pay the beneficiary upon presentation of the required documents at its counters or the counters of the named bank

Straight (Consignment) B/L

Indicates the shipper will deliver the goods to the consignee. It does not convey title (non-negotiable). Most often used when the goods have been pre-paid

Straight Bill of Lading

A non-negotiable bill of lading which states a specific identity to whom the goods should be delivered. See Bill of Lading.

Stripping

Removing cargo from a container (devanning).

Stuffing

Putting cargo into a container.

Sub

Substitute

Sub Dets

Subject Details

Sub Stem

Subject Stem

Subject

A qualification on the approval to use a vessel that requires the owner or Charterer (or both) to obtain a positive response from the owner or Charterer (or both) that the vessel subject (qualification) is lifted before the vessel can be fixed (chartered)

Submarine

A combat vessel designed to operate underwater

Submarine Chaser

A combat vessel specifically designed for the pursuit and attack of submarines

Submarine Salvage Vessel

A naval auxiliary vessel specifically adapted for the recovery of stranded submarines

Submersible

A non naval submersible craft

Subrogate

To put in place of another; i.e., when an insurance company pays a claim it is placed in the same position as the payee with regard to any rights against others.

Substantial Corrosion

Substantial corrosion exists if the diminution of the structural element under consideration is in excess of 75% of the maximum allowable diminution, as defined by the vessel's Classification Society for each structural element.

Suction Dredger

A vessel equipped to obtain material from the sea bed by use of a suction pipe. The material may be carried on board, transferred to other vessels, pumped ashore or deposited elsewhere using a spray

Suction Dredger Pontoon

A non propelled dredger pontoon fitted with suction equipment

Suezmax

Oil tanker designed to transit the Suez Canal with full cargo

Sufferance Wharf

A wharf licensed and attended by Customs authorities.

Supercargo

Person employed by a ship owner, shipping company, charterer of a ship or shipper of goods to supervise cargo handling operations. Often called a port captain

Supply Chain

A logistical management system which integrates the sequence of activities from delivery of raw materials to the manufacturer through to delivery of the finished product to the customer into measurable components. Just in Time is a typical value-added example of supply chain management.

Supply Platform, jack up (Lift Boat)

A supply platform, jack up (Lift Boat)

Supply Platform, semi submersible

A semi submersible offshore supply platform

Supply Tender

A vessel equipped as a general purpose supply vessel to remote communities (e.g. on islands, in the Arctic)

Surcharge

An extra or additional charge.

Surface Transportation Board (STB)

The U.S. federal body charged with enforcing acts of the U.S. Congress that affect common carriers in interstate commerce. STB replaced the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1997.

Surtax

An additional extra tax.