Maritime Signal Flags

NATIONAL FLAG
The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality.

NEOBULK
Shipments consisting entirely of units of a single commodity, such as cars, lumber, or scrap metal.

NET CAPACITY
The number of tons of cargo which a vessel can carry when loaded in salt water to her summer freeboard marks. Also called cargo carrying capacity, cargo deadweight, useful deadweight.

NATIONAL CARGO BUREAU
A private organization having representatives throughout the main harbors in the U.S. It is empowered to inspect cargoes of a hazardous nature and issue certificates which are automatically approved by the Coast Guard.

NATIONAL FLAG
The flag carried by a ship to show her nationality.

NEOBULK
Shipments consisting entirely of units of a single commodity, such as cars, lumber, or scrap metal.

NET CAPACITY
The number of tons of cargo which a vessel can carry when loaded in salt water to her summer freeboard marks. Also called cargo carrying capacity, cargo deadweight, useful deadweight.

NET TONNAGE
Equals gross tonnage minus deductions for space occupied by crew accommodations, machinery, navigation equipment and bunkers. It represents space available for cargo (and passengers). Canal tolls are based on net (registered) tonnage.

NON-CONFERENCE LINE
A shipping line which operates on a route served by a liner conference but which is not a member of that conference.

NONCONTIGUOUS
Domestic shipping routes serving Alaska and non-continental U.S. States and territories.

NORSKE VERITAS
Norwegian classification society.

NRT
Net registered tons. This tonnage is frequently shown on ship registration papers; it represents the volumetric area available for cargo at 100 cubic feet = 1 ton. It often is used by port and canal authorities as a basis for charges.

NVO
Non-vessel-operating common carrier, a ships agent, conducts business for the ship but does not operate the vessel.