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
GALLEY
The place where food is prepared on a vessel; i.e. the vessel's kitchen.
GANTRY CRANE
A frame built across the width of a vessel from which blocks and rigging are
suspended. A gantry crane is a crane on which the load is suspended from a
traveling trolley.
GAS FREE CERTIFICATE
Written confirmation that a tank or other confined space has been inspected and
confirmed purged of all explosive and other harmful gasses.
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)
A multinational treaty to help reduce trade barriers between the signatory
countries and to promote trade through tariff concessions. The World Trade
Organization (WTO) superceded GATT in 1994.
GBL (Government Bill of Lading)
GENERAL AVERAGE (GA)
An ancient principle of equity, recognized by maritime nations, pre-dating the
concept of insurance and still valid today, in which all parties involved in a
sea adventure (vessel, cargo, and freight) proportionately share losses
resulting from a voluntary and successful
effort to save the entire venture from an imminent peril. There are two types of
General Average acts:
1. VOLUNTARY SACRIFICE of a part of the vessel or a part of the cargo, e.g.
jettison of property to stabilize the vessel during heavy weather.
2. EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSE necessarily incurred for the joint benefit of vessel
and cargo, e.g. towing charges incurred to assist a disabled vessel to a port of
refuge.
GENERAL AVERAGE ADJUSTER - See "Average Adjuster."
GENERAL AVERAGE AGREEMENT
A guarantee by the owner of the cargo (usually the consignee) to pay that
proportion of the general average contribution, salvage, or special charges owed
by the shipment, and to give information about its value so an Average
Adjustment can be prepared. The vessel owner will not release cargo for delivery
to the consignee until the cargo owner signs this average agreement or bond,
which is prepared by the general average adjuster.
GENERAL AVERAGE BOND - See "General Average Agreement."
GENERAL AVERAGE DEPOSIT
A cash deposit (usually based on the estimated percentage of General Average)
which the General Average Adjuster demands from the owner of the cargo to secure
the payment of its proportion of the General Average. This cash deposit is
usually demanded as additional security to the General Average Bond. The deposit
may be replaced by a General Average Guarantee.
GENERAL AVERAGE EXPENDITURES - See "General Average."
GENERAL AVERAGE GUARANTEE
An insurance company's written guarantee to the General Average Adjuster
guaranteeing to pay the legally due proportion of General Average finally
assessed against the Assured’s insured cargo. This guarantee is usually
accepted by the Adjuster in lieu of a cash deposit and is additional security to
the bond signed by the owner of the goods.
GENERAL AVERAGE SACRIFICE - See "General Average."
GENERAL AVERAGE SECURITY
Documents presented by cargo owners to a General Average Adjuster to replace the
vessel owner's maritime lien on cargo for its share of General Average and to
obtain release of cargo from the steamship company. GA Security consists of a GA
Bond and either a cash deposit or an insurance company's Guarantee. See
"Nonseparation of Interest Agreement."
GENERAL CARGO
A vessel's cargo consisting of a variety of commodities shipped by one or by
many merchants.
GENERAL MARITIME LAW
A compilation of rules, concepts, and legal practices that evolved into common
law (case law) relating to the carriage of goods and passengers by water. It is
administered by special courts known as Admiralty Courts. General maritime law
is the seagoing equivalent of common law and is supplemented by statutory law
such as the Jones Act.
GENERATOR SET (Gen Set)
A portable electrical generator set which can be attached to a refrigerated
container to power the refrigeration unit during transit or to provide emergency
or temporary electrical power.
GIVE-WAY VESSEL
When meeting another vessel, the vessel that does not have the right of way
under the navigational rules and must keep out of the way of the other vessel;
formerly called the "burdened vessel." See "ColRegs" and
"Stand-on Vessel."
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) - See "Time Zones" Appendix C.
GO-DOWN
In the Far East, a warehouse where goods are delivered and stored.
GOOD FAITH - See "Utmost Good Faith."
GOODS
Cargo shipped by water, air, or land.
GRAVING DOCK - See "Vessel Types" Appendix G.
GRAVITY, CENTER OF - See "Vessel Stability."
GROSS TONNAGE - See "Tonnage."
GROSS WEIGHT
1. The total weight of the cargo, its packing material, and the chassis or
container or railcar.
2. For vessel weight, see "Tonnage."
GROUNDING
A vessel striking or touching the bottom; running aground. See "Stranding."
GROUND TACKLE
A general term for all anchors, cables, ropes, etc. used to moor or anchor a
vessel.
GRT (Gross Registered Ton ) - See "Tonnage."
GUNWALE (rhymes with "funnel")
The short extension of a vessel's side above the main deck. See also "Bulwark."