Glossary of maritime terms - E, F

EEC - European Economic Community, the European Common Market.

EEU - European Economic Union, the political union of Europe.

ETA - Estimated time of arrival

ETD - Estimated time of departure

EVEN KEEL - When the draft of a ship fore and aft are the same. |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z|

FAK - Freight all kinds - a system where freight is charged per container, irrespective of the nature of goods and not according to tariff.

FAS - Free Along Side (of ship).

FEEDER SHIP - Ships that handle transhipped cargo from one port to another.

FEU - Forty-Foot Equivalent Units (Containers).

FIREMAN - an unlicensed member of the engine, room staff whose duties consist in standing watch in the boiler room and insuring the oil burning equipment is working properly.

FIXTURE - Conclusion of shipbrokers negotiations to charter a ship - an agreement

FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE (FOC) - The registration of ships in a country that offer favourable tax structures and regulations; also the flag representing the nation under whose jurisdiction a ship is registered. Ships are always registered under the laws of one nation but are not always required to establish their home location in that country. FOC states often offer low tax rates and their requirements concerning manning or maintenance are not stringent. The term always denotes registration of vessels in foreign nations.

FOB (FREE ON BOARD) - Cost of a product before transportation costs are figured in.

F. O.B. - Free on Board: Export term in which the price quoted by the exporter does not include the costs of ocean transportation, but does include loading on board the vessel.

FORCE MAJEURE - Clause limiting responsibilities of charterers, shippers and receiver of cargo

FORECASTLE - The raised part of the forward end of a ship's hull, taking its name from the days of sailing ships where the forecastle was effectively a 'castle' on the ship's prow used for defending the ship. On some ships this area may be used for crew accommodation or quarters but on most new ships the space is used for the storage of paints, tackle, deck and engine stores, tarpaulins, etc.

FPSO - Floating Production, Storage & Offloading vessel. Usually out of service tankers are utilised as FPSO's.

FREEBOARD - The distance between the statutory deck line and the waterline.

FREIGHT FORWARDER - A person or persons who represents the cargo owner and who arranges shipments for that owner.

FREIGHT RATE - The charge made for the transportation of freight.

FREIGHT TONNE - The greater weight or measurement of goods where 1 tonne is equal to 1,000kg or 1 cubic metre. |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z|