Knowledge category
Maritime Glossary
Plain-English definitions of shipping, engine-room, navigation and regulatory terms.
Explore Maritime Glossary Topics
Choose a system or workflow first. Detailed answers can be attached to these topics as the knowledge base grows.
Engine-room Terms
40Machinery, systems, alarms, watchkeeping and maintenance vocabulary.
Deck Terms
36Mooring, anchoring, cargo gear, deck maintenance and seamanship terms.
Navigation Terms
38Charts, ECDIS, COLREGs, passage planning, lights, marks and bridge terms.
Safety Terms
34Fire, enclosed spaces, permits, drills, PPE, risk assessment and emergencies.
Cargo Terms
32Bulk, tanker, container, LNG, ballast, loading, discharge and stability terms.
Port Operations
26Berthing, pilotage, customs, stevedores, clearance and terminal operations.
Legal & Regulatory Terms
34IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS, MLC, PSC and flag-state terms.
Certificates & Documents
28CoC, CDC, STCW, logbooks, certificates, plans and statutory records.
Abbreviations
42Common maritime abbreviations used in shipboard and office communication.
Rank & Crew Terms
24Officer, rating, department, watch, command and company role definitions.
Ship Parts
30Hull, deck, bridge, engine-room, tanks, spaces and structural terminology.
Machinery Parts
36Valves, pumps, bearings, seals, filters, coolers, sensors and instruments.
Weather & Sea State
22Swell, wind, visibility, Beaufort scale, routing and heavy-weather terms.
Communication Terms
24GMDSS, VHF, distress calls, reports, logs and standard marine phrases.
Chartering Terms
20Laytime, demurrage, fixture, voyage charter, time charter and freight terms.
Emergency Terms
22Muster, abandon ship, man overboard, SAR, distress signals and response words.
Current Answers
What does STCW mean?
STCW explained — the international convention that sets minimum training, certification and watchkeeping standards for seafarers worldwide.
What is deadweight tonnage (DWT)?
Deadweight tonnage defined — the total weight a ship can carry — and how it differs from displacement and gross tonnage.
What is a TEU?
TEU explained — the twenty-foot equivalent unit used to measure container-ship capacity and container throughput.
What is SOLAS?
SOLAS explained — the IMO's most important safety convention and the areas of ship safety it governs.
What is ballast water and why is it managed?
What ballast water is, why ships carry it, and why it is now exchanged or treated under the Ballast Water Management Convention.