Short maritime terms glossary - part 7
PALLET - A flat tray, generally made of wood but occasionally of steel, on which goods particularly those in boxes, cartons or bags, can be stacked. Its purpose is to facilitate the movement of such goods, mainly by the use of forklift trucks.
PANAMAX - A vessel designed to be just small enough to transit the Panama Canal
PASSENGER SHIP - A passenger ship that its authorized to carry over twelve passengers.
PER CONTAINER RATE - Rates and/or changes on shipments transported in containers or trailers and rated on the basis of the category of the container or trailer.
PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICE - Approved floats meant as life preservers and carried on board American ships.
P & I - Protection and indemnity insurance
PILOT - A person who is qualified to assist the master of a ship to navigate when entering or leaving a port.
PILOTAGE - The act carried out by a pilot of assisting the master of a ship in navigation when entering or leaving a port. Sometimes used to define the fee payable for the services of a pilot.
PILOTAGE DUES - A fee payable by the owner or operator of a ship for the services of a pilot. This fee is normally based on the ship's tonnage.
PILOT HOUSE - The enclosed space on the navigating bridge from which a ship is controlled when under way.
P. L. 480- Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
P. L. 664- Mandates that 50 percent of government impelled cargoes be carried under U. S. flag. Known as the 50/50 shipping law.
PMA - Pacific Maritime Association.
POOLING - The sharing of cargo or the profit or loss from freight by member lines of a liner conference. Pooling arrangements do not exist in all conferences.
PORT CIP - Contracts with berth CIP. NOR can be given when within commercial limits of the port
PR-17 - Public Resolution which requires that U. S. Government financed cargoes (Eximbank) must be shipped 100% in U. S. flag ships, but that the requirement may be waived up to 50% in some cases.
PREAMBLE - Introduction to a Charter Party
PRODUCT CARRIER - A tanker which is generally below 70,000 deadweight tons and used to carry refined oil products from the refinery to the consumer. In many cases, four different grades of oil can be handled simultaneously.
Production unit - Equipped to extract petroleum, e. g. oil production ship.
PROFORMA ACC - Estimated account
PROPANE CARRIER - A ship designed to carry propane in liquid form. The propane is carried in tanks within the holds; it remains in liquid form by means of pressure and refrigeration. Such ships are also suitable for the carriage of butane.
PSV (Platform Supply Vessel) - Carries supplies to drilling units or installations during field de-velopment or production.
PUMPMAN - A rating who tends to the pumps of an oil tanker.
PURSER - A ship's officer who is in charge of accounts, especially on a passenger ship.
QUALIFIED MEMBER OF THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT(OMED) - Unlicensed members of the engine department who attend to a fully automated engine room.
OUARTERMASTER/HELMSMAN - An able-bodied seamen entrusted with the steering of a vessel.
QUARTERS - Accommodations.
RADIO OPERATOR - An officer who operates and controls the shipboard communication equipment.
RECAP - Recapitulation of the terms and conditions agreed
REEFER - Refrigerator ship; a vessel designed to carry goods requiring refrigeration, such as meat and fruit. A reefer ship has insulated holds into which cold air is passed at the temperature appropriate to the goods being carried.
REEFER BOX - An insulated shipping container designed to carry cargoes requiring temperature control. It is fitted with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the carrying ship's electrical power supply.
RETURN CARGO - A cargo which enables a ship to return loaded to the port or area where her previous cargo was loaded.
REVERSIBLE - TIME - Option for charterers to add together time allowed for loading & discharging relative to terms of a particular charter party
ROLLING CARGO - Cargo which is on wheels, such as truck or trailers, and which can be driven or towed on to a ship.
RO/RO SHIP - Freight ship or ferry with facilities for vehicles to drive on and off (roll-on roll-off); a system of loading and discharging a ship whereby the cargo is driven on and off on ramps. Equipped with large openings at bow and stern and sometimes also in the side, the ship permits rapid loading and discharge with hydraulically operated ramps providing easy access. Fully loaded trucks or trailers carrying containers are accommodated on the deck.