Glossary of Shipping Terms:

O

Ocean Bill of Lading (Ocean B/L)

A contract for transportation between a shipper and a carrier. It also evidences receipt of the cargo by the carrier. A bill of lading shows ownership of the cargo and, if made negotiable, can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in-transit.

OCP

See "Overland Common Points."

ODS

Abbreviation for "Operating Differential Subsidy."   An amount of money the U.S. government paid U.S. shipping companies that qualify for this subsidy.  The intent was to help offset the higher subsidy.  The intent was to help ofset the higher cost of operating a U.S.-flag vessel.  The ODS program is administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration and is being phased out.

O.E.C.D.

Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, headquartered in Paris with membership consisting of the world's developed nations.

On Board

A notation on a bill of lading that cargo has been loaded on board a vessel. Used to satisfy the requirements of a letter of credit, in the absence of an express requirement to the contrary.

On Deck

A notation on a bill of lading that the cargo has been stowed on the open deck of the ship.

Open Account

A trade arrangement in which goods are shipped to a foreign buyer without guarantee of payment.

Open Insurance Policy

A marine insurance policy that applies to all shipments made by an exporter over a period of time rather than to one shipment only.

Open Top Container

A container fitted with a solid removable roof, or with a tarpaulin roof so the container can be loaded or unloaded from the top.

Operating Ratio

A comparison of a carrier's operating expense with its net sales.   The most general measure of operating efficiency.

O.P.I.C.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Optimum Cube

The highest level of cube utilization that can be achieved when loading cargo into a container.

Order-Notify (O/N)

A bill of lading term to provide surrender of the original bill of lading before freight is released; usually associated with a shipment covered under a letter of credit.

ORFS

Abbreviation for "Origin Rail Freight Station." Same as CFS at origin except an ORFS is operated by the rail carrier participating in the shipment.

Origin

Location where shipment begins its movement.

Original Bill of Lading (OBL)

A document which requires proper signatures for consummating carriage of contract. Must be marked as "original" by the issuing carrier.

OS&D

Abbreviation for "Over, Short or Damaged" Usually discovered at cargo unloading.

Out Gate

Transaction or interchange that occurs at the time a container leaves a rail or water terminal.

Overcharge

To charge more than the proper amount according to the published rates.

Overheight Cargo

Cargo more than eight feet high which thus cannot fit into a standard container.

Overland Common Point (OCP)

A term stated on the bills of lading offering lower shipping rates to importers east of the Rockies, provided merchandise from the Far East comes in through the West Coast ports. OCP rates were established by U.S. West Coast steamship companies in conjunction with western railroads so that cargo originating or destined for the American Midwest and East would be competitive with all-water rates via the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf ports. Applies to eastern Canada.

Owner Code (SCAC)

Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code identifying an individual common carrier. A three letter carrier code followed by a suffix identifies the carrier's equipment. A suffix of "U" is a container and "C" is a chassis.

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