SHIPTALK: A GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING AND MARITIME TERMS

HAGUE RULES – Code of minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a bill of lading
HAGUE VISBY RULES – the 1968 revision of the Hague Rules
HANDYSIZE BULK CARRIER – Bulk carrier between 10,000 and 40,000DWT.
HARBOUR DUES – Various local charges levied against all seagoing vessels entering a harbour, to cover maintenance of channel depths, buoys, lights, etc. Not all harbours raise this charge.

HAGUE RULES – Code of minimum conditions for the carriage of cargo under a bill of lading
HAGUE VISBY RULES – the 1968 revision of the Hague Rules
HANDYSIZE BULK CARRIER – Bulk carrier between 10,000 and 40,000DWT.
HARBOUR DUES – Various local charges levied against all seagoing vessels entering a harbour, to cover maintenance of channel depths, buoys, lights, etc. Not all harbours raise this charge.
HARBOUR MASTER  – A person usually having the experience of a certificated master mariner and having a good knowledge of the characteristics of the port and its whole area. He administers the entire shipping movements that take place in and within reach of his port.
HARD AGROUND – A vessel which has gone aground and is incapable of refloating under her own power.
HATCH – An opening, generally rectangular, in a ship's deck providing access into the compartment below.
HAWSER – Large strong rope or cable used for towing purposes and for securing or mooring ships.
HAZARDOUS CARGO – All substances of an inflammable, toxic or otherwise dangerous nature.
HELM – A tiller or a wheel generally installed on the bridge or wheelhouse of a ship to turn the rudder during manoeuvring and navigation. It is in fact the steering wheel of the ship.
HELMSMAN – An able-bodied seamen entrusted with the steering of a vessel.
HOISTING ROPE – Special flexible wire or nylon rope for lifting purposes.
HOLD – A general name for the large compartments below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo.
HULL – Shell or body of a ship – applies to the side and bottom of ship.
HYDROFOIL – A craft that under acceleration rises above water but remains in contact with the surface through supporting legs.
IAPH – International Association of Ports & Harbours
IHMA – International Harbour Masters Association
IMDG – International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
IMO – International Maritime Organization: Formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), was established in 1958 through the United Nations to coordinate international maritime safety and related practices.
INERT GAS SYSTEM – A system of preventing any explosion in the cargo tanks of a tanker by replacing the cargo, as it is pumped out, by an inert gas, often the exhaust of the ship's engine. Gas-freeing must be carried out subsequently if workers have to enter the empty tanks.
INCOTERMS – Incoterms are a set of uniform rules codifying he interpretation of trade terms defining the rights and obligations of both buyer and seller in an international transaction. The terms recognised by Incoterms 1990 are: EXW – ex works (named place); FCA – Free Carrier (named place); FAS – Free alongside Ship (named port of shipment); FOB – Free on Board (named port of shipment); CFR – Cost & Freight (named port of destination); CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight (named port of destination); CPT – Carriage Paid To (named point of destination); CIP – Carriage & Insurance Paid To (named point of destination); DAF – Delivered at Frontier (named point); DES – Delivered ex Ship (named port of destination); DEQ – Delivered ex Quay (duty paid) (named port of destination); DDU – Delivered Duty Unpaid (named point); DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (named point).
INMARSAT – International Maritime Satellite System.
ICS – Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
INTEGRATED TUG BARGE (ITB) – A large barge of integrated from the rear on to the bow of a tug purposely constructed to push the barge.
INTERNATIONAL LOAD LINE CERTIFICATE – A certificate which gives details of a ship's freeboard and states that the ship has been surveyed and the appropriate load lines marked on her sides. The certificate is issued by a classification society or coastal authority such as a coast guard.
INTERNATIONAL OIL POLLUTION COMPENSATION FUND – An inter-governmental agency designed to pay compensation for oil pollution damage, exceeding the shipowner's liability. It was created by an IMO Convention in 1971 and began operations in October 1978. Contributions come mainly from the oil companies of member states.
INTERNATIONAL WATERWAYS – Consist of international straits, inland and interocean canals and rivers where they separate the territories of two or more nations. Provided no treaty is enforced both merchant ships and warships have the right of free and unrestricted navigation through these waterways.