Vessel’s Name prefixes are very common and normally are used with every type of ships.
There are very common prefixes like MV, MT or HMS. While a seafarer can understand the meaning of the most of the prefixes still some remains a mystery for us too.
Let’s learn about the abbreviations used before a ship Name and their meanings.
| S.No | PREFIX | MEANING |
| 1 | MV | Motor Vessel |
| 2 | MT | Motor Tanker |
| 3 | MS | Motor Ship |
| 4 | HMS | Her Majesty’s Ship |
| 5 | RMS | Royal Mail Ship |
| 6 | INS | Indian Naval Ship |
| 7 | USS | United States Ship |
| 8 | RV | Research Vessel |
| 9 | FPSO | Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Vessel |
| 10 | FV | Fishing Vessel |
| 11 | NS | Nuclear Ship |
| 12 | S/S | Steam Ship |
| 13 | SV | Sailing Vessel |
| 14 | TB | Tug Boat |
| 15 | TS | Training Ship |
| 16 | AE | Ammunition ship |
| 17 | AHTS | Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel |
| 18 | HSC | High-Speed Craft |
| 19 | LNG/C | Liquefied natural gas carrier |
| 20 | LPG/C | Liquefied petroleum gas carrier |
| 21 | OSV | Offshore supply vessel |
While there are many abbreviations or ship prefixes used, the above mentioned are some of the most common abbreviations used. Do let us know your views about this article in the comments section. We will love to hear from you..!!
