NVOCC

Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Maritime

NVOCC
Stands forNon-vessel operating common carrier
CategoriesTransportation & Travel

NVOCC stands for Non-vessel operating common carrier, a maritime abbreviation also used in business.

Shipping intermediary that issues its own bills of lading and acts as a carrier to shippers but does not operate ships, instead buying space on ocean carriers' vessels. In the US, NVOCCs are licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission.

Example: The NVOCC consolidated our cargo with dozens of other shippers to get a better container rate.

Usage notes

NVOCCs are central to LCL shipping and help small exporters access ocean freight. They are legally responsible as carriers to their customers. Many large freight forwarders also operate as NVOCCs.

More maritime abbreviations

  • MOB – Man overboard
  • MS – Motor ship
  • MV – Motor vessel
  • MY – Motor yacht
  • NRT – Net register tonnage
  • NT – Net tonnage
  • OOW – Officer of the watch
  • OS – Ordinary seaman
  • P&I – Protection and indemnity
  • PFD – Personal flotation device
  • RHIB – Rigid-hulled inflatable boat
  • RMS – Royal Mail Ship

See all 61 maritime abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.