U

UCP

Abbreviation for the "Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits," published by the International Chamber of Commerce. This is the most frequently used standard for making payments in international trade; e.g., paying on a Letter of Credit. It is most frequently referred to by its shorthand title: UCP No. 500. This revised publication reflects recent changes in the transportation and banking industries, such as electronic transfer of funds.

UFC

Abbreviation for "Uniform Freight Classification."

Ullage

The space not filled with liquid in a drum or tank.

UN/EDIFACT

United Nations EDI for Administration, Commerce and Transport. EDI Standards are developed and supported by the UN for electronic message (data) interchange on an international level.

Unclaimed Freight

Freight that has not been called for or picked up by the consignee or owner.

Undercharge

Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (UCP)

Rules for letters of credit drawn up by the Commission on Banking Technique and Practices of the International Chamber of Commerce in consultation with the banking associations of many countries. See Terms of Payment..

Unit Load

Packages loaded on a pallet, in a crate or any other way that enables them to be handled at one time as a unit.

Unit Train

A train of a specified number of railcars, perhaps 100, which remain as a unit for a designated destination or until a change in routing is made.

Unitization

1. The consolidation of a quantity of individual items into one large shipping unit for easier handling.
2. Loading one or more large items of cargo onto a single piece of equipment, such as a pallet.

Unloading

Removal of a shipment from a vessel.

U.S. Consular Invoice

A document required on merchandise imported into the United States.

U.S. DOT / U.S. Department of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation, whose purpose is to provide a dynamic federal system of transportation to meet the country's needs

U.S. Effective Controlled Fleet

That fleet of merchant ships owned by United States citizens or corporations and registered under flags of "convenience" or "necessity" such as Liberia or Panama. The term is used to emphasize that, while the fleet is not U.S.-flag, it is effectively under U.S. control by virtue of the ship's owners and can be called to serve U.S. interests in time of emergency.

U.S. Flag Vessels

ULCC

Ultra Large Crude Carriers. Tankers larger than 300,000 dwt.

ULD (Unit Load Device)

A pallet or container for freight.

Umler

(Universal Machine Language Equipment Register) a computer readable file of vital statistics for each railroad car in service. It applies to all railroads, types of cars, and data processing machines

Unclean Bill of Lading

UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Uniform Commercial Code

The Uniform Commercial Code, or Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits ICC Publication No. 500, was first established and published in 1933 by the International Chamber of Commerce. Revisions were made in 1951, 1962, 1974, 1983, and 1993. The code defines documentation standards to be followed by international banks when negotiating letters of credit. The code is binding, and seeks to define a worldwide standard applicable to all involved in international trade, exchanging goods, and money using the international letter of credit.

Unit train

United Statess Maritime Administration

The Maritime Administration promotes " the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency."

United States Maritime Administration’s Mission: To strengthen the U.S. maritime transportation system - including infrastructure, industry and labor - to meet the economic and security needs of the Nation. MARAD programs promote the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation’s domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of service as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. MARAD also seeks to ensure that the United States maintains adequate shipbuilding and repair services, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity for use in time of national emergency. www.marad.dot.gov

Unitization

The consolidation of a quantity of individual items into one large shipping unit to facilitate handling. Also: The loading of one or more large items of cargo onto a single piece of equipment, such as a pallet.

Universal Postal Union

The organization which negotiates international mail charges.

Unmanned Machinery Spaces

A space where alarm bells are installed on the bridge of a ship to trace or rectify any machinery faults. The computerized devices will report any fault immediately it appears and the engineers on board can attend to the necessary ramifications.

Unseaworthiness

The state or condition of a vessel when it is not in a proper state of maintenance, or if the loading equipment or crew, or in any other respect is not ready to encounter the ordinary perils of sea.

Without Reserve

A term indicating shipper's agent or representative is empowered to make definitive decisions and adjustments abroad without approval of the group or individual represented. (See Advisory Capacity)

UU

Unless Used