ARA (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam). A range of ports in a charterparty or report of a fixture specifying that the ship is chartered to load or discharge at a port or ports in this range. 

AMWELSH (Americanised Welsh Coal Charterparty). A standard-form voyage charterparty for the carriage of coal, published by ASBA in 193 and amended in 1979.

ANERA. This is the acronym given to an organisation of ship operating and owning companies that operate liner services between Asia and North America.

Advance freight. As a rule the freight on cargo shipped under a charterparty is payable at destination upon delivery to consignees.

As fast as the vessel can . . . (FAC). The laytime is a period of time that may be calculated by reference to the maximum rate at which the vessel, in full working condition, is capable of cargo operations, that is, of receiving or delivering the cargo.

Authority to sign B/Ls-General. The bill of lading (B/L) is signed by only one party representing the carrier. The person signing could be the shipowner if the owner is the carrier, but it is more likely that other persons will sign on his behalf, as the shipowner's agents.

Agency fee. The agency fee is the remuneration for the agents who have attended to the ship's business during its stay at their port. 

Authority of charterers, sub-charterers or their agents to sign. The ASBATTME Time charterparty states in the "Employment clause" that the Captain

Antifouling composition. These coatings are for underwater use on hulls. They Contain poisons based on copper and mercury compounds. The poisons prevent the adhesion of organisms to the hull.

Anti-pollution clauses. These are clauses inserted in a charterparty and generally place responsibility on the shipowner to ensure that he obtains suitable insurance cover or can provide alternative security for compensation he may become liable to pay for pollution, by oil (or similar substances) and for clean-up costs. 

Additional port charges.These are charges additional to the base ocean freight rate of a liner operator or liner conference. 

AA AA. Always afloat, always accessible.

Always afloat. In order to prevent a vessel from being ordered to proceed to a berth where she cannot load or discharge without touching the ground or which can only be reached safely after discharging part of the cargo into lighters or which can only be reached with spring tide, the so-called "always safely afloat clause" is inserted in the charterparty.