A Complete Guide to Ship Types and Vessel Abbreviations in Maritime Transport

Ships are the backbone of maritime transport and offshore engineering, coming in a wide variety of types and sizes. Understanding the classifications and abbreviations of different vessel types is essential for anyone involved in shipping, logistics, or international trade.

Below is a detailed breakdown of ship categories and commonly used English abbreviations.


▍Main Categories of Ships

1. Cargo Ships

Used for transporting goods and commodities.

English Abbreviations:

  • Bulk Cargo Carrier

  • Container Ship

  • Chemical Tanker

  • Barge

  • RO/RO Cargo Ship

  • Oil Tanker


2. Engineering Vessels

Used for marine construction, dredging, and support.

English Abbreviations:

  • Wring-Suction Dredger

  • TSHD

  • Pile Driving Barge

  • Floating Crane

  • Tugboat


3. Fishing Vessels

Designed for various types of fishing and seafood transport.

English Abbreviations:

  • Trawl Boat

  • Light Fishing Vessel

  • Angling Vessel

  • Freshkeeping & Transport Ship


4. Passenger Ships

For transporting passengers and tourists.

English Abbreviations:

  • Passenger Liner

  • Ferry

  • Tourist Vessel

  • Mail Steamer


5. Official & Government Ships

Used for regulatory and administrative purposes.

English Abbreviations:

  • Channel Ship

  • Ocean Surveillance Ship

  • Fishery Administration Vessel

  • Harbor Surveillance Ship

  • Fireboat


6. Military Ships

Used by armed forces for defense and logistics.

English Abbreviations:

  • Military Vessel

  • Military Transport Ship


▍Popular Vessel Types & English Abbreviations

Bulk Carriers


Container Ships

Identified by cargo hold structure:


Oil Tankers


▍Common Shipping Vessel Abbreviations

AbbreviationDescription
BCBulk Carrier
COTCargo Oil Tanker
DFFHigh-Speed Ferry
ERRVEmergency Response & Rescue Vessel
FLNGFloating Liquefied Natural Gas Platform
FPSOFloating Production Storage and Offloading Unit
FPVFloating Production Vessel
G-CargoGeneral Cargo Ship
LNGLiquefied Natural Gas Carrier
LEGLiquefied Ethylene Gas Carrier
LPGLiquefied Petroleum Gas Carrier
LSVLighter Support Vessel
LR TankerLong-Range Product Tanker
MR TankerMedium-Range Product Tanker
OSVOffshore Support Vessel
PSVPlatform Supply Vessel
PCHeavy Oil/Chemical Carrier
PCCPure Car Carrier
PCTCPure Car and Truck Carrier
RO-RORoll-on/Roll-off Ship
UCLLUltra Large Crude Carrier
VLOCVery Large Ore Carrier
VLCCVery Large Crude Carrier