Do you know your shipping abbreviations?

Shipping is FULL of abbreviations and acronyms, and this can really fool some people. We thought, what better way to help people out than to create a list of commonly used shipping abbreviations? Test your friends and colleagues. See if they know their maritime shipping abbreviations.

Industry Bodies:

ASBA – American Shipbrokers Association
BIMCO – The Baltic and International Maritime Council
FIATA – International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
IACS – International Association of Classification Societies
ICS – International Chamber of Shipping
ICS – Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
IMO – International Maritime Organisation

Classification Societies:

ABS – American Bureau of Shipping
BV – Bureau Veritas
CSS – China Classification Society
CRS – Croatian Register of Shipping
DNV – Det Norske Veritas
IRS – Indian Register of Shipping
KR – Korean Register
LR – Lloyds Register
NK – Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
PRS – Polish Register of Shipping
RINA – Rina Services S.p.A.
TL – Turk Loydu

General Shipping Abbreviations:

AWB – Air Waybill
B/L – Bill of Lading
CBM – Cubic Meter
CIF – Cost Insurance & Freight
CIP – Carriage & Insurance Paid to
C/P – Charterparty
CFR – Cost & Freight
COGSA – Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
COA – Contract of Affreightment
DAP – Delivered at Place
DAT – Delivered at Terminal
DG – Dangerous Goods
D/A – Disbursements Account
FOB – Free on Board
FEU – Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (a forty-foot container)
FCL – Full Container Load
LOI – Letter of Indemnity
L/C – Letter of Credit
LCL – Less than Container Load
LRIT – Long Range Identification Tracking
MOA – Memorandum of Agreement
MARPOL – International Convention of the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
NVOCC – Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier
P&I – Protection and Indemnity (as in P&I club or P&I insurance)
SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea Convention
TEU – Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (a twenty-foot container)
T/S – Transhipment
TC – Time Charter
WS – Worldscale

Recruiter Spotlight – Candidate Success Stories: David Tubb

Being in recruitment, it is important to hear what candidates have to say about their experience and how they are getting on. One of our most senior recruiters, David Tubb, who has been here for over 13 years, recently heard from two previously placed candidates at Navigate PR to hear about their experience, how they found the process and how their current role is going. We thought it was about time we showed off candidates in the industry and the glowing work of our recruiters.

Margaret Mentz
PR Account Manager, Navigate PR

Working within the Marketing, Communications & PR sector.

What do you do in your current role?

Navigate PR is a public relations agency that caters to the maritime and related industries. I joined in November 2022 as an Account Executive and was recently promoted to Account Manager.
As a communication strategist, I am responsible for crafting editorial content for trade magazines, creating social media posts, and formulating and executing communication strategies for our clients, to name a few. Each day is unique, as I work with a diverse range of clients, including insurance companies, salvage operators, search and rescue organisations, and others.

How did you get your role?

David from Spinnaker reached out to me about the Account Executive position at Navigate. He was extremely helpful and provided valuable information about the role requirements. Initially, I was unsure if I was the right fit as I lacked experience in the maritime industry. However, David explained the job responsibilities and it piqued my interest. I decided to apply and, as they say, the rest is history.

Is this your first role within the maritime industry? If so, what attracted you to the sector?

This is my first job in the maritime industry. I have always been passionate about communication in all its forms, and the sheer size of the maritime industry attracted me to it. There are so many different aspects of the industry that I knew it would be a challenge to familiarise myself with and try to become an expert in various areas. I don’t think I will ever know everything about the shipping industry, but it is fascinating how everything in our lives is linked to the industry.

What do you love about the maritime industry?

I love the dedication of people in the industry—whether it is decarbonisation, the welfare of seafarers, or new regulations introduced—it shows that the industry has a lot of passionate people. And my work depends on people who can appeal to different interests and passions. I enjoy meeting clients and find each organisation and company I work with fascinating and interesting.

Did you relocate for your role?

I had various other roles before working in maritime; I relocated to the UK from South Africa 10 years ago.

What is one piece of advice or a fun fact you would tell someone about the maritime industry?

Oh boy, there are so many! But a fun fact is that the shipping industry plays a crucial role in transporting approximately 90% of the world’s trade. This highlights not only the global economy’s dependence on maritime transport but also the industry’s proficiency and ability to move vast quantities of goods across the world’s oceans. Most of the products we use in our daily lives, such as clothing, food, and technology, have likely been transported by ships, making the maritime industry an unsung hero of our globalised world.

I would recommend Spinnaker to anyone wanting to make a career or industry move! My overall experience was fantastic. I really appreciate David’s knowledge of the industry and the job offer; he was extremely friendly and conscientious.

Cyndi Cheng
Account Manager, Navigate PR

Working within the Marketing, Communications & PR sector.

What do you do in your current role?

I’m responsible for managing a number of maritime clients ranging from Baltic Exchange to class society to maritime tech companies. My primary role involves creating and maintaining positive relationships with clients and trade media, so as to develop and strengthen positive media exposure and brand reputation for them, via PR and communications.

How did you get your role?

I got my role from David Tubb at Spinnaker. My experience was great. To be very honest, I said no for the role when David called me the first time (he has cleverly spotted my profile online). He successfully convinced me to give it a try in the first call. And throughout the interview process, I have received a lot of guidance and updates – I was informed clearly on next steps and my expectations were well managed.

Is this your first role within the maritime industry? If so, what attracted you to the sector?

Yes. I like how international and diverse the maritime industry is. I can see myself leveraging my 12+ years’ PR experience working in Hong Kong and London covering the Greater China and European markets, as well as learning a lot at the same time. Moreover, focusing on the corporate and trade client sectors also aligns with my career trajectory.

What do you love about the maritime industry?

Besides everything above, I love how welcoming people are in the industry. There are loads of very knowledgeable people who are in the top game of their roles won’t hesitate to share their knowledge. I often heard people saying that nobody knows everything about the maritime industry as it’s so broad, this makes me want to contribute something. It’s also common to see people from all walks of life so you don’t feel too much as an outsider.

Did you relocate for your role?

I moved from Hong Kong to London just before I got this role so I wouldn’t say I relocated for this role. I wish I knew the difference in job titles (and associated job duties) between Hong Kong and the UK, and also the expected salary range. It helps to set expectations when looking for a job in a new country.

What is one piece of advice or a fun fact you would tell someone about the maritime industry?

Nobody knows everything so just ask questions, make connections and have a laugh together!

Margaret Mentz
Cyndi Cheng
Navigate PR

A Leigh-on-Sea History – The Home of Spinnaker

We thought it was about time people got to know a bit more about Spinnaker and where we are. Not many people know we are based in Leigh-on Sea in Essex. Many think we are in London, when in actual fact we are around a 45-minute train journey from London.

Why Leigh you may ask? Well, when you have an office with views of ships passing by every day, how can you not? Leigh sits on the Thames Estuary which can either take you into London and Tilbury or out to the North Sea. This ensures your front-row seat to ships coming in and out of London and Tilbury docks.

The town of Leigh has always been a busy fishing town, dating all the way back to the 14th Century. This still remains now. You can head down to Old Leigh to ‘cockle shed row’ where the original cockle sheds are still located and have remained largely unchanged since being built in the 19th Century. The welks and cockles are locally fished by family-run businesses and their cockle boats. There is no better place to get your fresh seafood in and around Leigh. Especially as it is home to the famous Osbourne Brothers Cockle Sheds

Shipbuilding has always been an activity in Leigh and ships of up to 340 tonnes are recorded to have built here. The Leigh-built ship history starts with the Speedwell a 105-tonne ship built in 1579. The Vineyard was next weighing in at 240 tonnes, Mary Anne weighing 302 tonnes and Ruby weighing 280 tonnes to name a few.

Here are some more interesting facts to know about Leigh-on-Sea:

  • The town are actually mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Legra”

  • The Manor of Leigh was held by Thomas Boleyn, the father of Anne Boleyn

  • In the 1570’s Leigh was reported as having 31 vessels with 32 Masters and 230 Mariners and Fishermen

  • The Mayflower ship which the Pilgrim Fathers made their voyage to America, was built or owned in Leigh

  • The London is a ship built in the 16th Century and was part of the fleet of vessels sent to collect Charles II from exile in Europe and restore him to the throne. It mysteriously exploded and is now sitting at the bottom of the channel just off Southend Pier

  • Leigh provided at least 6 ships to assist against the Spanish Armada

  • The Fishermen’s Chapel which was built in the 18th Century is still used as a Church today

  • In 1939, ‘The Little Ships of Dunkirk’ saved over 1,000 men from Dunkirk

  • A replica of the boat from Dunkirk still stands in Old Leigh today, called the Endeavour

  • The St Clements Church in Leigh is named after St Clements, the patron saint of mariners

  • Close by in Southend we have the longest pleasure pier in the World.

And if you ever wondered, who may I know from this land of Leigh? No need to look any further, we have devised a list of the most popular and famous people from Leigh and the Borough of Southend. Everyone will know at least one of these famous faces.

Famous Faces of Leigh-on-Sea and the Borough of Southend:

  • Dame Helen Mirren DBE – Actor with a career spanning 60 years and is the only performer to have achieved both the American and the British Triple Crowns of Acting

  • Dame Vera Lynn – Used to own a property and live in Leigh

  • Peggy Mount OBE – Actress best known for her work spanning from the 1950’s to the 1990’s

  • Rachel Riley – Television presenter best known for co-presenting Channel 4’s countdown

  • Mark Foster – Former English competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics & World Championships

  • Dominic Littlewood – Journalist and television presenter known for presenting Fake Britain, Cowboy Builders and Don’t Get Done

  • David Lloyd – Former professional English tennis player who also founded the fitness and leisure business ‘David Lloyd Leisure’

  • Kara Tointon – English Actress known for her role as Dawnn Swann in EastEnders and for winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2010

  • Maisie Smith – English Actress known for her role as Tiffany Butcher in Eastenders and competing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2020

  • Lee Stafford – Celebrity hairdresser and owner of ‘Lee Stafford’ haircare brand

  • James Bourne – Singer-songwriter best known for being in the band Busted

  • Russel Kane – Writer, comedian and actor best known for his work on Channel 4, BBC and ITV

  • Lee Mead – Musical theatre actor best known for playing Joseph in the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

  • Mathew Baynton – Actor, comedian, musician and writer best known for his work in Horrible Histories, Ghosts and Gavin & Stacey

  • Stephen Cottrel – The current Archbishop of York and Primate of England

  • Sam Strike – Actor best known for his role as Johnny Carter in BBC’s Eastenders

And if you ever found yourself in Old Leigh and looking for places to go. Look no further than Ye Olde Smack where you can enjoy a pub quiz on Thursday, The Peterboat, perfect for charming seaside views, The Mayflower, aptly named after the ship from the 16th Century, and the oldest pub in the town, The Crooked Billet.

The Spinnaker team often find themselves down in Old Leigh enjoying the local cuisine and being very competitive at the pub quiz, and of course, getting very excited over all the ship spotting that can be done.

Blog written by Bethanie-Taylor Grenfell, Marketing Administrator, Spinnaker.