Container and logistics
terminology:
ACEP = Approved Continuous Examination Programme: the owner’s standard for the container’s condition (at least the same as the CSC).
AS IS = A container sold in its current condition at the time of sale.
BAF = Bunker Adjustment Factor: a surcharge on shipping charges which may be added on top of basic freight charges to offset price fluctuations in the cost of fuel; generally 0–10%.
Checker = A container inspector.
Container = A standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway.
CSC = International Convention for Safe Containers: an international standard for the condition of containers.
CSC inspection = A container is inspected at the container depot in compliance with a certain standard. When the container passes the inspection, its CSC validity may continue.
CSC validity = An adhesive label or a stamp on the CSC plate indicating the period of validity of the CSC plate for the container in question.
CWO = Cargo worthy; also, Cash With Order (INCOTERM)
DC = Dry Cargo: a basic ISO shipping container.
DD = Double Door: a container that can be opened at both ends.
Depot = A designated area for empty containers.
Estimate = A repair report.
Estimated = A term used to indicate the approximate arrival and departure dates of ships (‘estimated date of arrival’).
Ex RC = A formerly refrigerated container sold as an insulated container (machinery removed).
FL = Flat Rack: a ‘container’ platform without a roof and sides.
FOT = Free on Truck: an INCOTERM related to goods carried by truck; the seller bears the risk and covers the charges to get the goods onto the truck.
ft. = An abbreviation for ‘foot’ or ‘feet’; 1 metre = 3.28 ft.
HC = High Cube: a container higher than a normal DC container, at 9.5 ft. (9′ 6″).
HIAB = A chassis equipped with a small crane used to lower the container several metres away from the chassis.
HRF = High Cube Reefer: a refrigerated/heated container, higher than a normal RC container.
Hook system = A lifting lug on the end wall of a container, used to pull the container onto the chassis.
IBC = An intermediate bulk container.
IC = An insulated container.
IICL-5 = Guide for Container Equipment Inspection, 5th edition, published by the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL); a guide determining the criteria for container condition and repair requirements. Used for container inspections.
IMCO label = A label indicating that the cargo contains harmful or hazardous substances (IMCO = Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation).
ISO container = A container built to international standard dimensions (ISO = International Organisation for Standardisation).
MGW = Maximum Gross Weight: the maximum total weight permitted.
Modified = A term commonly used for open top (OT) containers converted from regular DC containers.
Neutralisation = Removal of the prefix from a container when the container is sold.
OT = An open top container fitted with a tarpaulin instead of a roof, loaded from the top.
Payload = MGW – tare weight: the maximum permitted weight of cargo.
Prefix = A four-letter code preceding the seven-digit container serial number, such as EPPU, identifying the type and owner of the container.
PW = Pallet Wide: a container with an interior 9cm wider than a DC container.
RC = Reefer container: a refrigerated/heated container.
Reach stacker = A vehicle used to move containers.
Roll-off rails = Rails fitted on the bottom of a container to enable transportation using roll-off equipment.
SD/FSD = Side Door/Full-Side Door: the long side of a container has full-side doors, with the whole side opening.
Sideloader = A chassis equipped with a hoist that lowers the container down to the ground next to the chassis.
Single Use/One Way/One Trip Container = A term used for new shipping containers, which always do 1–2 trips prior to being put up for sale.
Storage container = A container that no longer conforms to CSC standards but is still suitable for storage purposes.
Tank Container = A container used for transport/storage of liquids.
Tare weight = The dead weight of a container without a load.
Terminal = An area designated for storing containers coming into and going out of the country, usually loaded.
TEU = Twenty-foot equivalent unit: a standard unit used in container transport. 1 TEU is 20 feet long and 8.5 feet (8′ 6″) high. A 40′ DC = 2 TEUs.
TOP = Delivered to destination; a term of delivery used in Finland (Finnterms 2001).
WWT = Wind and Water Tight: a wind- and water-tight container, which may have been fixed using temporary repair methods.
ACEP = Approved Continuous Examination Programme: the owner’s standard for the container’s condition (at least the same as the CSC).
AS IS = A container sold in its current condition at the time of sale.
BAF = Bunker Adjustment Factor: a surcharge on shipping charges which may be added on top of basic freight charges to offset price fluctuations in the cost of fuel; generally 0–10%.
Checker = A container inspector.
Container = A standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway.
CSC = International Convention for Safe Containers: an international standard for the condition of containers.
CSC inspection = A container is inspected at the container depot in compliance with a certain standard. When the container passes the inspection, its CSC validity may continue.
CSC validity = An adhesive label or a stamp on the CSC plate indicating the period of validity of the CSC plate for the container in question.
CWO = Cargo worthy; also, Cash With Order (INCOTERM)
DC = Dry Cargo: a basic ISO shipping container.
DD = Double Door: a container that can be opened at both ends.
Depot = A designated area for empty containers.
Estimate = A repair report.
Estimated = A term used to indicate the approximate arrival and departure dates of ships (‘estimated date of arrival’).
Ex RC = A formerly refrigerated container sold as an insulated container (machinery removed).
FL = Flat Rack: a ‘container’ platform without a roof and sides.
FOT = Free on Truck: an INCOTERM related to goods carried by truck; the seller bears the risk and covers the charges to get the goods onto the truck.
ft. = An abbreviation for ‘foot’ or ‘feet’; 1 metre = 3.28 ft.
HC = High Cube: a container higher than a normal DC container, at 9.5 ft. (9′ 6″).
HIAB = A chassis equipped with a small crane used to lower the container several metres away from the chassis.
HRF = High Cube Reefer: a refrigerated/heated container, higher than a normal RC container.
Hook system = A lifting lug on the end wall of a container, used to pull the container onto the chassis.
IBC = An intermediate bulk container.
IC = An insulated container.
IICL-5 = Guide for Container Equipment Inspection, 5th edition, published by the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL); a guide determining the criteria for container condition and repair requirements. Used for container inspections.
IMCO label = A label indicating that the cargo contains harmful or hazardous substances (IMCO = Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation).
ISO container = A container built to international standard dimensions (ISO = International Organisation for Standardisation).
MGW = Maximum Gross Weight: the maximum total weight permitted.
Modified = A term commonly used for open top (OT) containers converted from regular DC containers.
Neutralisation = Removal of the prefix from a container when the container is sold.
OT = An open top container fitted with a tarpaulin instead of a roof, loaded from the top.
Payload = MGW – tare weight: the maximum permitted weight of cargo.
Prefix = A four-letter code preceding the seven-digit container serial number, such as EPPU, identifying the type and owner of the container.
PW = Pallet Wide: a container with an interior 9cm wider than a DC container.
RC = Reefer container: a refrigerated/heated container.
Reach stacker = A vehicle used to move containers.
Roll-off rails = Rails fitted on the bottom of a container to enable transportation using roll-off equipment.
SD/FSD = Side Door/Full-Side Door: the long side of a container has full-side doors, with the whole side opening.
Sideloader = A chassis equipped with a hoist that lowers the container down to the ground next to the chassis.
Single Use/One Way/One Trip Container = A term used for new shipping containers, which always do 1–2 trips prior to being put up for sale.
Storage container = A container that no longer conforms to CSC standards but is still suitable for storage purposes.
Tank Container = A container used for transport/storage of liquids.
Tare weight = The dead weight of a container without a load.
Terminal = An area designated for storing containers coming into and going out of the country, usually loaded.
TEU = Twenty-foot equivalent unit: a standard unit used in container transport. 1 TEU is 20 feet long and 8.5 feet (8′ 6″) high. A 40′ DC = 2 TEUs.
TOP = Delivered to destination; a term of delivery used in Finland (Finnterms 2001).
WWT = Wind and Water Tight: a wind- and water-tight container, which may have been fixed using temporary repair methods.