| ACRONYM | FULL WORDING | COMMENT |
| B4 | Before | |
| BB | Ballast Bonus | Is not a part of the hire i.e. is nett of commissions unless otherwise specified : for instance by stating "Gross BB" |
| BB | Below Bridges | For instance : " London BB " |
| BB, B/B | BAREBOAT (C/P) | |
| BBB | Before Breaking Bulk | i.e. before commencement of discharge |
| BBLS | Barrels (oil) | 1 barrel = 158,984 litres (42 US Gallons) |
| BC, B/C | Bulk Carrier | Single deck vessel with holds fitted with top-side and side wingtanks (octogonal section). See ST (Self-Trimming) |
| BCM | (distance) Bow / Center Manifold | Used exclusively in tanker trade. Other acronyms used sometimes : SCM for Stern/Center Manifold and ACM for Aft/Center Manifold. |
| BE, BENDS | (at) Both Ends | i.e. at loading and discharging ports |
| BHP | Brake Horse Power | |
| BIZ | Business | |
| BL(S), B/L(S) | Bill(s) of Lading | |
| BN, B/N | Booking Note | Often refers to a C/P form |
| BSMA / BSMA 100 | British Standards Marine Series : Specifications for Marine Oil TYPEs | Published by BSI (British Standards Institute) in 1982 concerning various classes of fuel : Class M6 = 180 Cst, Class M7 = 380 Cst |
| BW | Brackish Water | Neither fresh (D=100) nor salt (D = 1,025) In general : D = 1,10 to 1,015 |
| BWAD | (maximum) Brackish Water Arrival Draft | Applies to the ship |
| BWT | Bleeding Wing Tanks | Top side wingtanks self-emptying by gravity into the main holds when loaded with a fluid cargo (grain) |
