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
PA
(Particular Average) - See "Average Clauses."
PACKING LIST
An itemized list of commodities shipped showing marks and numbers but no values.
PALLET
A low platform, usually wooden, on which several packages or pieces of cargo are
stacked for efficient movement by a forklift or for storage; a skid. See
"Cargo Packing" Appendix A.
PANDI - See "Protection and Indemnity."
PARTIAL LOSS
Any loss to cargo or a vessel that is less than a total loss. If the partial
loss is directly caused by a peril insured against, it is a particular average
loss. See "Particular Average."
PARTICULAR AVERAGE (PA)
A partial loss of the property insured (cargo or vessel) caused by a peril
insured against, and which is not a General Average loss. See "Average
Clauses" and "General Average."
PARTICULAR AVERAGE ADJUSTMENT / PA ADJUSTMENT
Cargo is insured at an agreed valuation; therefore, the surveyor establishes the
percentage of damage to the goods which is then applied to the agreed value to
determine the amount of claim. Where a percentage of damage cannot be agreed, it
is common for the damaged goods to be sold. The amount of claim is then computed
by determining the sound market value of the goods on the date of sale (as if
undamaged), comparing it to the amount for which they were sold, thereby
obtaining a percentage of depreciation which can be applied to the agreed value.
See "Salvage Loss Adjustment."
PARTICULAR AVERAGE CLAUSES - See "Average Clauses."
PARTLOW CHART – See "Temperature Recording Devices."
PEAK VALUE
The market price of certain traded commodities is established on a daily basis
in Commodity Markets. If a consignment of such a commodity is shipped, Peak
Value represents the highest market value reached during the voyage. A Peak
Value Endorsement establishes the highest value as the insured value of the
commodity for that voyage.
PENNSYLVANIA RULE
A legal case against the vessel "PENNSYLVANIA" that has become a
general point of law. The case held that where a vessel violates any statutory
duty or navigational rule of the road, it must prove not only that the violation
did not cause the collision, incident, or tort but could not have contributed to
it in any way.
PERILS CLAUSE
The clause in a Marine Policy that specifies the risks or hazards insured
against.
PERILS OF THE SEA
Fortuitous accidents or casualties, peculiar to transportation on navigable
water, such as stranding, sinking, collision of the vessel, striking a submerged
object, or encountering heavy weather or other unusual forces of nature.
PERILS ON THE SEA
Perils which are named and covered by the policy which are other than "Perils
of the Seas"; e.g. fire, which is not a peril unique to the sea.
PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE
A certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to satisfy import
regulations of foreign countries; indicates that a U.S. shipment has been
inspected and found free from harmful pests and plant diseases.
P&I - See "Protection & Indemnity."
PIER
A fixed platform (usually on pilings) extending perpendicular to the shore over
the water to provide access to vessels or boats. See "Wharf" and
"Dock."
PIGGYBACK
A rail service in which intermodal containers are carried on rail cars with
their truck trailer chassis’ attached. See "Stacktrain" and
"Container."
PILFERAGE
The theft of part or all of the contents from a shipping package where the
package itself is delivered at destination.
PILOT
A navigator who is expert at navigating the waters of a particular port. Many
ports require that vessels over a specified tonnage have a licensed Pilot take
the vessel into and out of port.
PILOTHOUSE
The deckhouse which encloses the steering wheel, compass, and navigational
equipment; and from which the helmsman steers the vessel. Also known as
wheelhouse.
PITCH
1. The angle of a propeller blade to its axis.
2. Caulking material used as a sealant between planks of a wooden vessel.
3. See "Vessel Movement."
PLIMSOLL MARK - See "Load Line."
POINT OF ORIGIN
Location (City and Country) where a cargo shipment begins transit.
POLLUTION LIABILITY
Contamination of the water, land or air from oil, oil products, hazardous
chemicals or effluent. Several pieces of legislation (listed chronologically
below) have been enacted by the federal government and several states to control
and assess penalties against those who pollute:
TOVALOP - 1968 (Tanker Owners' Voluntary Agreement Concerning Liability for Oil
Pollution). An agreement subscribed by most of the world's tanker operators
whereby
they agree to reimburse governments for pollution cleanup costs in the
event of an oil spill. Each member insures its potential liability under the
agreement.
CRISTAL - (The Contract Regarding an Interim Supplement to the Tanker Liability
for Oil Pollution 1971). Provides a fund supported by oil cargo owners to
satisfy damages suffered by governments and individuals caused by an oil spill.
The fund will pay a maximum of $135 million. Participation in TOVALOP is a
prerequisite for coverage under CRISTAL.
CERCLA - (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980). Applies to the discharge of hazardous substances such as chemical
waste, solid waste, garbage, biological materials, heat, discarded equipment and
industrial waste, in addition to petroleum.
FWPCA - (Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1990) is part of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(CERCLA) of 1980.
OPA 90 - (Federal Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act and Oil Pollution
Act of 1990). A federal law supplementing the Federal Water Pollution Prevention
and Control Act (FWPCA) of 1971 setting stringent liabilities and criminal
penalties for pollution in U.S. waters.
OPRC - (The Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Cooperation Convention) was
adopted by IMO (International Maritime Organization of the United Nations) in
1990 as a cooperative agreement between signatory nations to establish
pre-positioned pollution response equipment and cooperate with equipment and
manpower in the event of an oil spill.
POMERENE ACT - See "Carrier's Liability Acts (Ocean)."
PORT
1. The left side of the vessel or airplane when onboard facing the bow. It is so
named because the rudder (steering oar) of early sailing vessels was located on
the right side, making it impossible to dock the vessel with the right side
facing the pier, so the left side had to face the pier and the port. Port was
originally referred to as the "larboard" side, but that was confused
with "starboard," so it was officially changed by order of the British
Navy in 1844. See "Starboard."
2. A harbor with piers or docks where vessels load and unload cargo or
passengers.
3. A large opening in a vessel's side for handling cargo and passengers.
Automobiles are often loaded this way.
PORTAINER
A container crane.
PORT OF CALL
Port where a vessel loads or discharges cargo.
PORT OF ENTRY
Port where cargo is unloaded in an importing country.
PORT OF REFUGE
Nearest port available to a vessel in a storm or other emergency.
PORT RISK
Insurance on a vessel which is laidup and out of commission, not
navigating, and confined to the port area.
POWER TAKEOFF (PTO)
A device attached to an engine that supplies power to a stationary pump or other
auxiliary equipment.
P P I (Policy Proof of Interest)
A notation on an insurance policy used to indicate that the policy itself is
proof of an Assured’s insurable interest in the property; no further proof of
such interest need be submitted by the Assured to collect a covered loss. PPI
policies are not written for parties who have no insurable interest in the
property and who are gambling that there may be a loss, since gambling policies
are illegal in all maritime countries. See ''FIA ."
PRATIQUE
Clearance granted by a Health Officer certifying the vessel and crew to be clear
of contagious diseases and releasing the vessel from quarantine. A foreign
vessel must fly a yellow "Q" flag upon entering port and anchor in a
designated anchorage until a local health officer grants clearance.
PREFERENCE CARGO
Government owned (e.g. defense) or subsidy cargo (such as A.I.D. shipments of
grain) is required to be carried by U.S. flag carriers to help support the U.S.
merchant marine and personnel. Refer to Cargo Preference Act of 1904 and 1954 (
Public Law 83-664).
PRIMA FACIE
A fact presumed to be true so far as can be judged from the first disclosure,
until disproved by some evidence to the contrary. A "clean" Bill of
Lading is prima facie evidence of the apparent good order of cargo, i.e. cargo
is presumed to be in good order when received by the carrier, and the burden is
on the carrier to prove otherwise.
PRIMARY INSURANCE
The first layer of insurance on a risk. Excess policies can provide higher
limits of coverage when stacked above the primary layer. See "Excess
Insurance."
PRIVILEGED VESSEL - See "Stand-On Vessel."
PRIVITY
Knowledge of a condition.
PROCESSING COVER
Endorsement that extends coverage of the WarehousetoWarehouse
Clause to continue while the merchandise is being assembled or worked on.
PRO FORMA INVOICE
An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise,
informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value
and specifications (weight, size, etc.).
PROMPT NOTICE
Notification by an Assured to the insurance company or the company's
representative within a reasonable period of time after the occurrence of a loss.
PROPELLER
The metal "wheel" or "screw" with two or more blades mounted
at an angle to the hub. It is attached to the end of the propeller shaft and
turns in the water providing a vessel with propulsion by pushing against the
water. See "Shaft."
PROPORTIONATE FAULT
A method of apportioning liability for damages when two vessels collide, where
each vessel’s liability for the total damages (percentage) is based on that
vessel’s degree of fault or negligence for the collision. It replaced the
doctrine of Divided Damages in the United States in 1975 (U.S. v. Reliable
Transfer Co.) to agree with the custom and practice of the other maritime
nations of the world. See "Divided Damages."
PROTECTION & INDEMNITY (P&I)
Insurance against the shipowner's third party legal liability for damage to
property (such as cargo, harbors, docks, buoys, etc.), collision liability (insofar
as such liability is not already covered under the Collision Clause in the hull
policy), personal injury, and loss of life. Also known as "PANDI."
PROTEST - See "Master’s Protest."
PROXIMATE CAUSE
Doctrine of "causa proxima non remota spectator," or that it is to be
the direct, primary, and immediate cause of loss that is to be considered, and
not the remote or incidental cause.
PULP TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the internal flesh of refrigerated commodities.
PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Damages in excess of the amount of the actual loss, that are awarded by the
court as punishment of a defendant or to set an example for others. Also known
as "exemplary damages" or "extra contractual damages."