O

← Back to index · 101 terms

Share:WhatsAppLinkedInFacebookXTelegramEmail

OBO

Source page ref: 415
An oil/bulk/ore carrier, a combination ship able to carry either oil or dry bulk cargoes, giving flexibility between trades.

Obsolete Stock

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The products or materials that cannot be or is unlikely to be used in future processes and which is to be sold or disposed of through the usual outlets.

Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)

Source: ISGOTT 6th Edition (MaritimeDatabase #103)
The maximum permitted concentration of a hazardous substance in workplace air to which personnel may be exposed, used to control health risks from cargo vapours and chemicals aboard ship.

Ocean areas

Source page ref: 415
The sea areas (designated A1 to A4 by radio coverage) used to define the radio equipment a ship must carry under the GMDSS. IMO-grounded

Octopus Onboard system

Source page ref: 416
A proprietary onboard decision-support system providing motion and loading information to assist safe operation.

Officer

Source page ref: 416
A certificated member of the ship's company holding a position of responsibility in the deck, engine, or other department, qualified under the STCW Convention. IMO-grounded

Officer of the watch, navigator

Source page ref: 416
The officer in charge of the navigational or engineering watch, responsible for the safe conduct of the ship during that period. IMO-grounded

Offset table

Source page ref: 416
A table of measurements (offsets) defining the shape of the hull at each station and waterline, used to lay off and build the form.

Offsets

Source page ref: 416
The coordinates that define points on the hull surface, taken from the lines plan and listed in the offset table.

Offshore

Source page ref: 416
Relating to activities and structures at sea away from the coast, such as oil and gas exploration, production, and support.

Offshore cranes

Source page ref: 146
Heavy-duty cranes on offshore vessels and platforms, designed to work safely with the relative motion between vessel and load in a seaway.

Offshore cranes working on deck

Source page ref: 146
Offshore cranes used to handle cargo and equipment on a vessel's own deck, as distinct from lifts to and from other vessels.

Offshore supply cranes

Source page ref: 146
Cranes on supply vessels used to transfer cargo and equipment to and from offshore installations.

Offshore unit

Source page ref: 428
A floating or fixed structure used for offshore activities such as drilling, production, accommodation, or support.

Oil

Source page ref: 428
Petroleum in any form, including crude oil and refined products; its carriage and the prevention of oil pollution are governed by MARPOL Annex I. IMO-grounded

Oil Bulk Ore Vessel

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A vessel, designed for the carriage of either dry or liquid bulk cargo.

Oil clearance, oil recovery

Source page ref: 428
The collection and removal of spilled oil from the water surface, using skimmers, booms, and recovery vessels.

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)

Source page ref: 428
An association of oil companies that promotes safe and environmentally responsible operation of tankers and terminals, issuing widely used guidance.

Oil distribution shaft

Source page ref: 428
A shaft arrangement through which lubricating oil is distributed to the components of a machine.

Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

Source page ref: 429
United States legislation enacted after a major tanker spill, imposing stringent requirements on tankers and liability for oil pollution in US waters.

Oil Record Book

Source page ref: 429
The official log, required under MARPOL Annex I, in which all oil transfers, discharges, and disposals are recorded for inspection by authorities. IMO-grounded

Oil recovery and sludge treatment system

Source page ref: 429
The shipboard system that collects oily residues and treats sludge for proper disposal in accordance with MARPOL Annex I. IMO-grounded

Oil slick

Source page ref: 430
A film or layer of oil spread on the water surface, the visible sign of an oil spill.

Oil spill response vessel (OSRV)

Source page ref: 430
A vessel equipped to respond to oil spills, carrying booms, skimmers, and storage for recovered oil.

Oil tanker

Source page ref: 434
A ship constructed to carry oil in bulk in its cargo spaces, subject to MARPOL Annex I requirements such as double hulls, segregated ballast, and oil-discharge monitoring. IMO-grounded

Oil treatment

Source page ref: 436
The cleaning of oil, for example fuel or lubricating oil, by settling, heating, and centrifuging to remove water and solids.

Oil/Bulk/Ore (OBO) carrier

Source page ref: 122
A combination carrier designed to carry oil, dry bulk, or ore cargoes, allowing it to switch between wet and dry trades.

Oil/water interface detector

Source page ref: 436
An instrument that detects the boundary between oil and water in a tank, used to control discharge and avoid pumping oil overboard. IMO-grounded

Oily mixture

Source page ref: 436
A mixture containing oil, such as oily bilge or ballast water, the discharge of which is controlled under MARPOL Annex I. IMO-grounded

Oily rags

Source page ref: 436
Rags soaked with oil, which present a fire risk through spontaneous combustion and are disposed of as oily waste.

Oily water separator, bilge water separator

Source page ref: 436
Equipment that separates oil from bilge or ballast water so that the water may be discharged within the 15 ppm limit set by MARPOL Annex I. IMO-grounded

ON SYSTEM (INTIS)

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
by the development, realization and exploitation of a communication- and information network for computers.

ON-BOARD COMPUTER

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cab-mounted device which electronically or mechanically records data such as truck speed, engine rpm, idle time and other information useful to trucking management.

On-hire/off-hire surveys

Source page ref: 438
Surveys of a ship's condition and bunkers carried out at the start and end of a charter to record its state and fuel quantities.

On-load release hooks

Source page ref: 438
Lifeboat release hooks that can release the boat while it is still under load (waterborne or suspended); their safe design has been the subject of IMO measures to prevent accidental release. IMO-grounded

On-scene commander (OSC)

Source page ref: 438
A person designated to coordinate search-and-rescue operations at the scene, following the IAMSAR procedures. IMO-grounded

Oncarriage

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The carriage of goods (containers) by any mode of transport to the place of delivery after discharge from the ocean vessel (main means of transport) at the port (place) of discharge.

One Way Pallet

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
See disposable pallet. Note: The addition ‘One Way’ has nothing to do with the number of pallet sides in which the forks of e.g. a fork lift can enter, as opposed to the two and four way pallets

Ontology

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A Yahoo-like hierarchy of relationships and a glossary used as a standardiza- tion device to describe goods and services and to facilitate commerce in a Net market. (See normalize.)

Open bell

Source page ref: 438
A diving bell open at the bottom, used to transport divers to and from a worksite at depth without maintaining internal pressure above the surrounding water.

Open deck cargo ships

Source page ref: 290
Ships designed to carry cargo on open decks, such as certain heavy-lift and project-cargo vessels.

Open gauging device

Source page ref: 272
A means of measuring a tank's contents that involves an opening to the atmosphere, permitted only for cargoes that do not present a vapour hazard. IMO-grounded

Open ro-ro cargo spaces

Source page ref: 88
Ro-ro cargo spaces open at both ends, or at one end, with adequate natural ventilation throughout, which affects their fire-safety and ventilation requirements under SOLAS. IMO-grounded

Open sea

Source page ref: 438
Waters away from the coast and confined channels, where a vessel has sea room to manoeuvre.

Open Sided Container

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Shipping container with frames with wire-mesh at the sides covered by means of a tarpaulin which can be dropped down to give unrestricted access to the sides of the container for loading or discharging

Open tank venting system

Source page ref: 91
A cargo-tank venting arrangement that is open to the atmosphere through devices such as flame screens, permitted for certain cargoes, as opposed to a controlled (closed) system. IMO-grounded

Open Top Container

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A freight container similar in all respects to a general purpose container except that it has no rigid roof but may have a flexible and movable or removable cover, for example one made of canvas or plastic or reinforced plastic material normally supported on movable or removable roof bows

Open vehicle spaces

Source page ref: 88
Vehicle spaces open at both ends or with adequate openings for natural ventilation, which determines their fire-safety treatment under SOLAS. IMO-grounded

Open water efficiency

Source page ref: 440
The efficiency of a propeller operating in undisturbed water, used as a reference in propulsion analysis.

Open-loop control systems

Source page ref: 31
Control systems that act on a set input without using feedback of the result, as opposed to closed-loop control.

Openings

Source page ref: 440
Holes in the hull, decks, and bulkheads, such as hatches, doors, and ports, whose means of closure must maintain watertight and weathertight integrity under the Load Line Convention and SOLAS. IMO-grounded

Operating Effeciency

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A ratio of the actual output of a piece of equipment, department, or plant as compared to the planned or standard output

Operating values of an engine

Source page ref: 440
The measured parameters that show how an engine is performing, such as pressures, temperatures, and speeds, monitored to ensure safe operation.

Operation manual

Source page ref: 440
A manual giving instructions for the safe and correct operation of equipment or systems aboard.

Operational

Source page ref: 441
Describing the state of being in service and functioning, or matters relating to a ship's day-to-day running.

Operational design

Source page ref: 441
Design that takes account of how the ship and its systems will be operated and maintained in service.

Operations Research

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The development and application of quantitative techniques to the solution of problems. More specifically, theory and methodology in mathematics, statis- tics, and computing are adapted and applied to the identification, formulati- on, solution, validation, implementation, and control of decision making problems.

Operator

Source page ref: 441
The company or person responsible for operating a ship, or a crew member who operates a particular machine or system.

Optimisation

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Achieving the best possible solution to a problem in terms of a specified objective function.

OPTION

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
One of a limited range of choices or features that is offered to a customer when purchasing an otherwise basic standard product and that has to be an integral part of the product (used in commercial trading).

Optional Cargo

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cargo of which the final destination is not known at the moment of booking but will be indicated during the transport.

Optional Port

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A port of which it is not known whether or not it will be called by a vessel during a voyage.

Opyimal Trim

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The best calculated TRIM related to speed engine capacity, fuel consumption for a specific sailing condition.

ORDER

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A request to deliver specified quantities of goods or to render specific services.

Order Line

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Each line on a customer’s purchase order. An order line always contains one Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) only, but the number may vary.

Ore carrier

Source page ref: 441
A ship designed to carry dense ore cargoes, with high-positioned holds and strong structure to suit the heavy, concentrated loads.

Ore/Oil carrier

Source page ref: 122
A combination carrier able to carry either ore or oil cargoes.

Organisation

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
An identifiable social unit with a particular responsibility which endeavour to achieve multiple goals by coordinated activities and relationships between members and objects.

Orimulsion

Source page ref: 441
A proprietary fuel consisting of bitumen emulsified in water, formerly used as a boiler fuel and carried as a cargo.

OSH

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Open Shelter Deck

Osmosis

Source page ref: 441
The movement of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane; reverse osmosis, driven by pressure, is used aboard to produce fresh water from seawater.

Out Of Gauge Cargo

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cargo which dimensions are exceeding the normal dimensions of a 20’ or 40’ container, e.g. overlength, overwidth, overheight, or combinations thereof

Outboard

Source page ref: 441
Toward or beyond the ship's side, away from the centreline; the opposite of inboard.

Outsider

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A carrier, which operates on a route served by a liner conference but which is not a member of that conference.

Outward Handling

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The operations to be performed on outgoing goods from a production unit, both administrative and physical, starting at the moment forwarding orders can be executed to the moment of actual departure of the goods.

Overall survey

Source page ref: 441
A survey intended to report on the overall condition of the hull structure and to determine the extent of any close-up survey, part of the periodic survey programme. IMO-grounded

Overboard

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Over the side or out of the ship.

Overboard discharge

Added — maritime supplement
Any outlet through which liquids are discharged from a ship into the sea, and the act of such discharge. Discharges of oil, sewage, garbage, and other substances are strictly regulated under the MARPOL Annexes, which set the conditions under which each may lawfully take place. IMO-grounded

Overcarrier

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A carrier within a consortium who carries cargo beyond the allotment distri- buted to him.

Overflow

Source page ref: 441
The escape of liquid from a tank that has been filled beyond its capacity, controlled by overflow arrangements to prevent spillage.

Overflow pipes

Source page ref: 441
Pipes that carry away liquid from a tank when it is full, leading it safely to an overflow tank or other location.

Overhaul

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
To extensively inspect and repair a system or component

Overhead welding position

Source page ref: 441
A welding position in which the weld is made on the underside of the joint, with the welder working upward against gravity, the most difficult position.

Overheight Cargo

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cargo, exceeding the standard height

Overlength Cargo

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cargo, exceeding the standard length

Overload

Source page ref: 441
A load greater than the safe design value, which can cause damage or failure if not prevented by protection.

Overload protection

Source page ref: 441
A device or system that protects equipment, such as a motor or generator, from damage by disconnecting or limiting it when an overload occurs.

Overpack

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
A unit used by a single shipper to contain one or more packages and to form one handling unit for convenience of handling and stowage. Dangerous goods packages contained in the overpack must be properly packed, marked, labelled and in proper condition as required by the Regulations regarding dangerous goods (aircargo).

Override

Source page ref: 441
A means of manually taking control of, or bypassing, an automatic function, used in particular circumstances.

Overspeed protective device

Source page ref: 441
A device that shuts down or limits an engine or turbine if its speed rises dangerously above the rated value, preventing damage.

Overtime

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Work beyond normal established working hours that usually requires a premium to be paid to the employees concerned.

Overwidth Cargo

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Cargo, exceeding the standard width.

OWNER

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
The legal owner of cargo, equipment or means of transport.

OWNER-OPERATOR

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
Trucker who owns and operates his own truck(s).

Owners Container Code

Source: Chartering & Shipping Terms Glossary
See Container Prefix.

Oxygen

Source page ref: 442
The gas essential for combustion and respiration; controlling its concentration is central to making tanks inert and safe for entry. IMO-grounded

Oxygen analyser/meter

Source page ref: 442
An instrument that measures the oxygen concentration in an atmosphere, used to verify that tanks are inert or that spaces are safe to enter.

Oxygen cutting

Source page ref: 442
A cutting process that uses a jet of oxygen to burn through preheated steel, widely used for cutting plate.

Oxygen gouging

Source page ref: 442
A process using an oxygen jet to gouge a groove in steel, for example to remove a defect or to back-gouge a weld.

Ozone depleting substances (ODS)

Source page ref: 442
Chemicals such as halons and CFCs that damage the ozone layer; their use aboard ship is controlled and being phased out under MARPOL Annex VI and the Montreal Protocol. IMO-grounded

Ozone depletion potential (ODP)

Source page ref: 442
A measure of how much a substance can deplete the ozone layer relative to a reference chemical, used in regulating refrigerants and fire-extinguishing agents. IMO-grounded