Glossary
Maritime and ship management terms in plain words: planned maintenance, ISM Code, safety management systems, noon reports, crew management and more.
The maritime industry is full of specialized terms. This glossary covers the key concepts in ship management software, fleet operations, and compliance. You will find entries on PMS, ISM Code, SIRE 2.0, TMSA, and many more.
Topics range from regulatory frameworks like MARPOL and MLC to operational areas like HSEQ, fleet analytics, and vessel lifecycle tracking. Each term links to a detailed explanation with real-world context.
Built for fleet managers, DPAs, technical superintendents, procurement officers, and compliance teams. Use it as your quick reference to the language of maritime technology.
CII Rating
The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is an IMO operational measure of how efficiently a ship carries cargo for the CO2 it emits. Each ship gets a rating from A to E, on a scale that tightens every year.
Synonyms: Carbon Intensity Indicator, CII
Class Survey
Class surveys are regular inspections by classification societies. They check that a vessel still meets the structural, mechanical, electrical and safety standards of its class notation.
Synonyms: Classification Survey, Class Inspection
Crew Management
Crew management in maritime is the planning, scheduling and administration of seafarers across a fleet. It covers recruitment, certificate tracking, rotation planning, payroll, and compliance with MLC 2006 and STCW.
Synonyms: Crew Management Software, Maritime Crew Management
Crew Management Software
Software for managing seafarer records, contracts, certifications, payroll, crew changes, and voyage planning across a fleet.
Synonyms: crewing software, maritime HR software, crew management system
Designated Person Ashore
The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is a role that Section 4 of the ISM Code requires. The DPA monitors the safety and pollution-prevention side of each vessel’s operation. The DPA also makes sure each ship has enough resources and support from shore.
Synonyms: DPA, Designated Person
Dry Docking
Dry docking is the planned removal of a vessel from the water. It allows inspection, maintenance and repair of the hull, propeller, rudder and underwater fittings.
Synonyms: dry dock, drydocking, ship dry dock
EEXI
The Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) is a one-time technical measure under MARPOL Annex VI. It sets a mandatory baseline energy efficiency standard for existing ships. Ships must comply from their first annual, intermediate or renewal IAPP survey on or after 1 January 2023.
Synonyms: Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, EEXI Rating
EU ETS Shipping
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the European Union's carbon market. Since January 2024 it also covers maritime transport. Ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above that call at EU and EEA ports are covered. Their companies must surrender allowances for a growing share of their verified emissions.
Synonyms: EU Emissions Trading System for Maritime, EU ETS Maritime
EU MRV
The EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation is Regulation (EU) 2015/757. It applies to ships over 5,000 gross tonnage calling at ports in the European Economic Area. Their operators must monitor, report and verify the ships' CO2 emissions. Since 2024 it also covers methane and nitrous oxide.
Synonyms: EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, EU MRV Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2015/757
Electronic Logbook
Electronic logbooks are digital replacements for the paper record books that MARPOL, SOLAS and other maritime rules require. They add automatic calculations, a record of every change and links to ship management software.
Synonyms: E-Logbook, Digital Logbook, Electronic Record Book
Fleet Performance Analytics
Fleet performance analytics uses data to monitor and improve the operating metrics of each vessel and the whole fleet. It relies on dashboards, KPI tracking and business intelligence tools inside ship management platforms.
Synonyms: Fleet Analytics, Maritime BI, Maritime Business Intelligence
FuelEU Maritime
FuelEU Maritime is Regulation (EU) 2023/1805. It limits the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used on board ships calling at EU and EEA ports. It applies from 1 January 2025 and counts emissions well to wake, from fuel production to use on board.
Synonyms: FuelEU Maritime Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805
IMO DCS
The IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS) is a global, mandatory scheme under MARPOL Annex VI. Ships of 5,000 GT and above must collect their annual fuel oil consumption data. They report it to the IMO through their flag states.
Synonyms: IMO Data Collection System, IMO Fuel Oil Data Collection System
ISM Code
The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is the international standard for managing and operating ships safely and preventing pollution. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted it through Resolution A.741(18). SOLAS Chapter IX makes it mandatory.
Synonyms: International Safety Management Code, ISM
MARPOL
MARPOL is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. It is the main international convention on preventing pollution of the sea by ships, from operational or accidental causes. It was adopted in 1973 and modified by the 1978 Protocol. Its six annexes cover oil, chemicals, harmful packaged substances, sewage, garbage and air emissions.
Synonyms: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL 73/78
MARPOL Annex VI
MARPOL Annex VI is the part of the MARPOL convention that limits air pollution from ships. It was adopted in 1997 and has been in force since 2005. It limits sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and ozone-depleting emissions. Its energy efficiency rules include the EEXI, the CII and the SEEMP.
Synonyms: MARPOL Annex 6, Air Pollution Regulations
MLC
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) is an ILO convention that sets minimum standards for seafarers’ working and living conditions. It is often called the fourth pillar of international maritime regulation, alongside SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL.
Synonyms: Maritime Labour Convention, MLC 2006
Maritime CMMS
A maritime CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) is software that organizes, schedules and tracks the maintenance of shipboard equipment. Maritime versions add features for offline work, class surveys and ISM Code compliance.
Synonyms: Computerized Maintenance Management System, CMMS
Maritime Digital Transformation
Maritime digital transformation is the move from paper-based, manual processes to integrated digital workflows across ship management. It is driven by complex regulation, cost pressure and the need to see operations in real time.
Synonyms: Shipping Digitalization, Maritime Digitization
Maritime ERP
Maritime ERP is enterprise resource planning software built for the maritime industry. It brings technical, commercial and operational workflows into a single platform.
Synonyms: shipping ERP, marine ERP, maritime enterprise software
Maritime Procurement
Maritime procurement is the full process of requesting, sourcing, ordering and receiving spare parts, stores, provisions and services for vessels. Specialized software helps manage its global supply chain.
Synonyms: Ship Procurement, Marine Purchasing, Vessel Supply Chain
Maritime SaaS
Maritime SaaS (Software as a Service) is a way of delivering maritime applications. The ship management tools are hosted in the cloud and used in a web browser.
Synonyms: maritime cloud software, shipping SaaS, cloud maritime platform
Maritime Workflow Automation
Maritime workflow automation is the use of software to automate repetitive processes in ship management. Examples range from purchase order approvals to maintenance scheduling and compliance reporting.
Synonyms: shipping workflow automation, maritime process automation
SEEMP
The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is a mandatory operational plan under MARPOL Annex VI. Shipping companies use it to manage and improve the energy efficiency of their vessels over their whole working life.
Synonyms: Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, SEEMP Part III
SIRE 2.0
SIRE 2.0 is the Oil Companies International Marine Forum's (OCIMF) modernized Ship Inspection Report Programme, replacing the legacy SIRE 1.0 programme. It inspects tankers with risk-based question sets tailored to each ship.
Synonyms: Ship Inspection Report Programme 2.0, SIRE
SOLAS
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the main international treaty on the safety of merchant ships. Its first version was adopted in 1914, after the Titanic disaster. The current convention dates from 1974 and is kept up to date by amendments.
Synonyms: Safety of Life at Sea, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is an IMO convention. It sets minimum qualification, training and certification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships.
Synonyms: Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, STCW Convention, STCW 1978
Safety Management System
A Safety Management System (SMS) is the structured, documented system that lets company staff carry out the company's safety and environmental protection policies. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code requires one, under SOLAS Chapter IX. It is the main way a company shows that it meets the Code.
Synonyms: SMS, Safety Management System
Safety Management System — SMS
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured set of policies, procedures and practices for safety and environmental protection on board ships. The ISM Code requires one.
Synonyms: SMS, ISM safety management system
Ship Management Software
Ship management software is a digital platform that manages all aspects of vessel operations from one central system. It covers technical management, crew administration, procurement, safety and compliance, document control and operational reporting.
Synonyms: Vessel Management Software, Fleet Management Software
Ship Management System
A ship management system is an integrated system for managing every part of ship operations. It covers planned maintenance, procurement, crew management and regulatory compliance.
Synonyms: SMS platform, fleet management system
Vessel Management Software
Software that centralizes technical, operational, and commercial management of vessels into a single digital platform.
Synonyms: vessel management system, ship management platform, fleet management software
Vetting Inspection
A vetting inspection is a commercial screening of a ship before it is approved for charter or for use at a terminal. Oil majors, energy companies and charterers run these inspections on tankers, gas carriers and chemical tankers.
Synonyms: Ship Vetting, Tanker Vetting
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