shipping-glossary

  • P & I Club

A mutual association of shipowners who provide protection against liabilities by means of contributions.

Any physical piece of cargo in relation to transport consisting of the contents and its packing for the purpose of ease of handling by manual or mechanical means

The final product of the packing operation consisting of the packing and its contents to facilitate manual or mechanical handling

  • Packaging

Materials used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods and the activities of placing and securing goods in those materials.

  • Packing Instruction

Document issued within an enterprise giving instructions on how goods are to be packed.

  • Packing List

Document specifying the contents of each individual package.

  • Pallet

A platform on which goods can be stacked in order to facilitate the movement by a fork lift or sling.

  • Panamax Size

The maximum measurements and dimensions of a vessel capable to pass the Panama Canal.

  • Payload

The revenue-producing load carried by a means of transport.

  • Payment Against Documents

Instructions given by a seller to a bank to the effect that the buyer may collect the documents necessary to obtain delivery of the goods only upon actual payment of the invoice.

  • Physical Distribution

Those activities related to the flow of goods from the end of conversion to the customer.

  • Pier

That part of a wharf which is intended for the mooring of vessels.

  • Pilferage

Petty stealing of goods from a ship's hold, cargo shed or warehouse.

  • Place of Acceptance

The location where a consignment (shipment) is received by the carrier from the shipper viz. the place where the carrier's liability for transport venture commences.

  • Place of Delivery

The location where a consignment (shipment) is delivered to the consignee viz. the place where the carrier's liability ends for the transport venture.

  • Place of Despatch

Name and address specifying where goods are collected or taken over by the carrier (i.e. if other than consignor).

  • Place of Receipt

The location where a consignment (shipment) is received by the carrier from the shipper viz. the place where the carrier's liability for transport venture commences.

  • Port of Call

Place where a vessel actually drops anchor or moors during a certain voyage.

  • Port of Discharge

The port where the cargo is actually loaded on board the sea (ocean) going vessel.

  • Precarriage

The carriage of goods (containers) by any mode of transport from the place of receipt to the port (place) of loading into the ocean vessel (main means of transport).

  • Precarrier

The carrier by which the goods are moved prior to the main transport.

  • Preshipment Inspection

Abbreviation: PSI

The checking of goods before shipment for the purpose of determining the quantity and/or quality of said goods by an independent surveyor (inspection company) for phytosanitary, sanitary and veterinary controls.

Presently there is a tendency by developing countries to use the inspection also for the purpose of determining whether the price charged for certain goods is correct.

  • Principal

Person for whom another acts as agent.

  • Pro Forma Invoice

Draft invoice sent to an importer by the exporter prior to order confirmation and shipment to assist in matters relating to obtaining import licences or foreign exchange allocations, or simply to advise the value of a consignment so that letters of credit can be opened.

  • Project Cargo

Quantity of goods connected to the same project and often carried on different moments and from various places.

  • Proof of Delivery

The receipt signed by the consignee upon delivery.

  • Proper Shipping Name

A name to be used to describe particular goods on all documents and notifications and, if appropriate, on the goods. basis (air cargo).

  • Protection and Indemnity Club

Abbreviation: P & I club

A mutual association of shipowners who provide protection against liabilities by means of contributions