Manifest. A manifest is a document containing complete specifications of the goods loaded by a vessel for various destinations.

Notice of Readiness. 'This is a “ . . . notice to the Charterer, shipper, receiver or other person as required by the charter that the ship has arrived at the port or berth as the case may be and is ready to load/discharge".

Near clause. The obligation of a charterer is to order the ship to a "safe port" or "safe berth".

Monsoons. Monsoons are seasonal winds blowing in opposite directions.

Non reversible laytime. Laytime is the time allowed to the Charterer for loading and discharging.

Notify party. This is the name of the person in the box on a standard form bill of lading, marked “Notify address”.

Metacentre. This is the point where the buoyancy force up through the vessel’s centre of buoyancy (B) when the vessel is inclined cuts the original line of force upwards through the original B when the vessel is upright.

Non negotiable document. The Hague-Visby Rules and Hague Rules are concerned with contracts of carriage evidenced by bills of lading which are “documents of title”.

Name of vessel. The name of the vessel in negotiations and in the charterparty should be correct and precise.

Microbridge.  Where the MLB jntermodal movements of cargo are from port to port across a continent, such as North America, this phrase refers to cargo from and to inland points, which are not ports, moved overland by rail via United States West Coast ports to and from Far East ports.

NVOCC (Non vessel operating common carrier). This was the original expression given to carriers who enter into contracts to carry goods but who did not operate Or own the vessels in which the carriage was provided.

NAABSA (Not Always afloat but Safely Aground).

MEES (Middle East Emergency Surcharge). After 2 August 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait, and after the commencement of the Persian Gulf “war” against Iraq’s invasion, the situation in the Middle East became very dangerous for liner vessels (and other ships).

New York Produce Exchange form (NYPE).This standard form time charterparty was approved by the New York Produce Exchange when it was first published in 1913.

NVOC (Non vessel owning carrier or non vessel operating carrier). This may be a freight forwarder or other form of contracting “carrier” who undertakes to provide carriage of goods but either does not own vessels or, even if this is a vessel owner, space may be used on board vessels belonging to other owners.