Glossary
Navatom glossary.
The maritime industry is terminology-heavy. This glossary covers key terms in ship management software, fleet operations, and maritime compliance — from PMS (planned maintenance system) and ISM Code to SIRE 2.0, TMSA, and beyond. Whether you are researching a safety management system or evaluating a maritime ERP platform, understanding these concepts is the first step.
From regulatory frameworks like the ISM Code and MARPOL to operational concepts including HSEQ management, fleet performance analytics, and vessel lifecycle tracking — each term links to a detailed explanation with context on how it applies to modern ship management systems and cloud-based maritime software.
Built for fleet managers, designated persons ashore (DPAs), technical superintendents, procurement officers, and compliance teams — this glossary is your quick reference to the language of maritime technology and ship management.
Ballast Water Management
The treatment and management of ballast water on ships to prevent the transfer of invasive aquatic organisms between ports, as regulated by the IMO BWM Convention.
Synonyms: BWM, ballast water treatment, BWM Convention
CII Rating
The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is an IMO operational measure that assesses how efficiently a ship transports goods relative to its CO2 emissions, rating vessels on an A-to-E scale that tightens annually.
Synonyms: Carbon Intensity Indicator, CII
Class Survey
Class surveys are periodic inspections conducted by classification societies to verify that a vessel continues to comply with the structural, mechanical, electrical, and safety standards required for its class notation.
Synonyms: Classification Survey, Class Inspection
Crew Management
Crew management in maritime encompasses the planning, scheduling, and administration of seafarer employment across a fleet — covering recruitment, certification 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 mandatory role under Section 4 of the ISM Code, responsible for monitoring the safety and pollution-prevention aspects of each vessel’s operation and ensuring adequate resources and shore-based support.
Synonyms: DPA, Designated Person
Dry Docking
The scheduled removal of a vessel from water for 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 that establishes a mandatory baseline energy efficiency standard for existing ships, requiring compliance from the 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, and since January 2024, it has been extended to cover the maritime transport sector. Under this extension, shipping companies operating vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above that call at EU and EEA ports must purch...
Synonyms: EU Emissions Trading System for Maritime, EU ETS Maritime
EU MRV
The EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Regulation, formally Regulation (EU) 2015/757, requires ship operators to monitor, report, and verify carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for all ships over 5,000 gross tonnage that call at ports within the European Economic Area (EEA). Adopted as pa...
Synonyms: EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, EU MRV Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2015/757
Electronic Logbook
Electronic logbooks are digital replacements for traditional paper record books required under MARPOL, SOLAS, and other maritime regulations, offering automated calculations, tamper-proof audit trails, and integration with ship management software.
Synonyms: E-Logbook, Digital Logbook, Electronic Record Book
Fleet Performance Analytics
Fleet performance analytics is a data-driven approach to monitoring and optimizing vessel and fleet-wide operational metrics using integrated dashboards, KPI tracking, and business intelligence tools within ship management platforms.
Synonyms: Fleet Analytics, Maritime BI, Maritime Business Intelligence
FuelEU Maritime
FuelEU Maritime, formally Regulation (EU) 2023/1805, is a European Union regulation that sets limits on the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of energy used on board ships calling at EU and EEA ports. Effective from January 1, 2025, the regulation takes a well-to-wake approach, meaning it accounts f...
Synonyms: FuelEU Maritime Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/1805
HSEQ
HSEQ stands for Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality — the four interconnected pillars that form the foundation of maritime safety management, implemented through the Safety Management System required by the ISM Code.
Synonyms: HSQE, QHSE, Health Safety Environment Quality
IMO DCS
The IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS) is a global mandatory framework under MARPOL Annex VI requiring ships of 5,000 GT and above to collect and report annual fuel oil consumption data 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 a mandatory international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. Adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through Resolution A.
Synonyms: International Safety Management Code, ISM
MARPOL
MARPOL, short for the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, is the principal international convention covering the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. Originally adopted in 1973 and modified by the Protoc...
Synonyms: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL 73/78
MARPOL Annex VI
MARPOL Annex VI is the annex to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships that specifically addresses the prevention of air pollution from ships. Adopted in 1997 and entering into force in 2005, Annex VI sets limits on the emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen ...
Synonyms: MARPOL Annex 6, Air Pollution Regulations
MLC
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) is an ILO convention that sets comprehensive minimum standards for seafarer working and living conditions, 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 designed to organize, schedule, and track maintenance activities for shipboard equipment, with features for offline operation, class survey integration, and ISM compliance.
Synonyms: Computerized Maintenance Management System, CMMS
Maritime Digital Transformation
Maritime digital transformation is the strategic shift from paper-based, manual processes to integrated digital workflows across ship management, driven by regulatory complexity, cost pressures, and the need for real-time operational visibility.
Synonyms: Shipping Digitalization, Maritime Digitization
Maritime ERP
Enterprise resource planning software tailored for the maritime industry, integrating technical, commercial, and operational workflows into a single platform.
Synonyms: shipping ERP, marine ERP, maritime enterprise software
Maritime Procurement
Maritime procurement is the end-to-end process of requisitioning, sourcing, ordering, and receiving spare parts, stores, provisions, and services for vessel operations, requiring specialized software to manage global supply chain complexity.
Synonyms: Ship Procurement, Marine Purchasing, Vessel Supply Chain
Maritime SaaS
Software-as-a-Service delivery model for maritime applications, where ship management tools are hosted in the cloud and accessed via web browser.
Synonyms: maritime cloud software, shipping SaaS, cloud maritime platform
Maritime Workflow Automation
The use of software to automate repetitive operational processes in ship management, from purchase order approvals to maintenance scheduling and compliance reporting.
Synonyms: shipping workflow automation, maritime process automation
Noon Report
A daily report sent from a vessel at noon providing position, weather conditions, fuel consumption, speed, and voyage progress data to shore management.
Synonyms: daily noon report, vessel noon report, ship noon report
Planned Maintenance System
A Planned Maintenance System (PMS) is specialized software used aboard ships and in shore offices to schedule, track, and document all planned maintenance activities on a vessel, ensuring ISM Code and classification society compliance.
Synonyms: PMS, Planned Maintenance System
SEEMP
The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is a mandatory operational plan under MARPOL Annex VI that provides a mechanism for shipping companies to manage and improve the energy efficiency of their vessels throughout their operational 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.
Synonyms: Ship Inspection Report Programme 2.0, SIRE
SOLAS
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is widely regarded as the most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships. The first version of SOLAS was adopted in 1914 in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, and the convention has been revised an...
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 that 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 a structured and documented system that enables company personnel to effectively implement the company's safety and environmental protection policies. Required by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code under SOLAS Chapter IX, the SMS is the primary mech...
Synonyms: SMS, Safety Management System
Safety Management System — SMS
A structured framework of policies, procedures, and practices for managing safety and environmental protection on board ships, required by the ISM Code.
Synonyms: SMS, ISM safety management system
Ship Management Software
Ship management software is a digital platform designed to manage all aspects of vessel operations from a centralized system — encompassing technical management, crew administration, procurement, safety and compliance, document control, and operational reporting.
Synonyms: Vessel Management Software, Fleet Management Software
Ship Management System
An integrated system for managing all aspects of ship operations, from planned maintenance and procurement to crew management and regulatory compliance.
Synonyms: SMS platform, fleet management system
TMSA
The Tanker Management and Self Assessment (TMSA) programme is a best-practice framework developed by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) to help tanker operators measure, assess, and improve their management systems. First introduced in 2004 and now in its third edition (TMSA 3),...
Synonyms: Tanker Management and Self Assessment, TMSA 3
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
Vetting inspection is a commercial screening process in which oil majors, energy companies, and charterers inspect tankers, gas carriers, and chemical tankers before approving them for charter or use at their terminals.
Synonyms: Ship Vetting, Tanker Vetting
Work and Rest Hours
Work and rest hours regulations under MLC 2006 and STCW set strict limits on seafarer working time and minimum rest periods to prevent fatigue and ensure safe ship operations.
Synonyms: Hours of Work and Rest, Seafarer Work Hours, WRH
Explore Maritime Software Built on These Concepts
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