GB/T 7727-2025 General terminology for ship English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS 13.220.10
CCS H 57
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 7727-2025
Replaces GB/T 7727.1-2008
General terminology for ship
船舶通用术语
Issue date: 2025-10-31 Implementation date: 2026-05-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Ship types and classifications
3.1 General terms
3.2 Ships classified by use
3.3 Ships classified by navigation area
3.4 Ships classified by navigation state
3.5 Ships classified by propulsion power
3.6 Ships classified by propulsion form
3.7 Ships classified by superstructure form or engine room location
3.8 Ships classified by main hull structure form
3.9 Ships classified by hull material
3.10 Others
4 Ship environment
4.1 General environment
4.2 Climatic environment
4.3 Mechanical environment
5 Ship hydrodynamic performance
5.1 Ship hydrostatic performance
5.2 Ship resistance and propulsion
5.3 Ship maneuverability
5.4 Ship seakeeping
6 Ship general design
6.1 Ship arrangement and main compartment division
6.2 Hull geometric form and dimensions
6.3 Ship volume and weight
7 Shipbuilding materials
7.1 Materials
7.2 Material properties
8 Hull structure, strength, and vibration
8.1 General terms
8.2 Shell plating
8.3 Bottom structure
8.4 Side framing
8.5 Decks and platforms
8.6 Bulkheads and shaft tunnels
8.7 Bow and stern structure
8.8 Foundations
8.9 Superstructures and deckhouses
8.10 Hull strength
8.11 Hull vibration
9 Ship systems
9.1 General terms
9.2 Power system
9.3 Electrical system
9.4 Navigation and communication system
9.5 Auxiliary and living support system
9.6 Ship equipment
10 Ship compartment equipment
11 Ship corrosion and protection
Appendix A (Informative) Major technical changes
References
Index
1 Scope
This document defines the terms and definitions related to ship types and classifications, ship environment, ship hydrodynamic performance, ship general design, shipbuilding materials, hull structure, strength and vibration, ship systems, ship compartments and equipment, ship corrosion and protection.
This document is applicable to research, design, manufacturing, teaching, management, and other application fields of ships.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Ship types and classifications
3.1 General terms
3.1.1
Ship; Vessel
A structure capable of navigating or berthing in water areas, used to perform tasks such as transportation, combat, operations, scientific research, and tourism.
3.1.2
Boat; Craft
A vessel with a full load displacement of 500 t or less.
3.1.3
Raft
A simple, lightweight waterborne conveyance, operational tool, or lifesaving apparatus assembled from certain materials through simple connections or by inflation.
3.2 Ships classified by use
3.2.1
Oil tanker
A ship that transports bulk crude oil, refined oil, and other petroleum or oil-based cargoes.
3.2.2
Container ship
A ship designed for carrying containerized cargo.
3.2.3
Bulk carrier
A ship that transports large quantities of bulk cargo.
3.2.4
Roll-on/roll-off ship (Ro-ro ship)
A ship that loads and unloads cargo, such as vehicles and livestock, using rolling methods.
3.2.5
Liquefied gas carrier
A ship that transports liquefied gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
3.2.6
Chemical tanker
A ship that transports liquid chemicals which are toxic, flammable, highly volatile, and highly corrosive.
3.2.7
Engineering ship
A general term for ships equipped with corresponding specialized equipment to engage in various engineering operations on or under the water, according to specific requirements.
3.2.8
Working ship; Working boat
A general term for ships (boats) used for various maritime services or other work-related activities.
3.2.9
Oceanographic research ship; Oceanographic research vessel
A general term for ships used for marine scientific research, applied technology studies, measurement, or exploration.
3.2.10
Ocean exploiting ship; Ocean exploiting vessel
A general term for ships specialized in exploiting resources in the ocean and on the seabed.
3.2.11
Fishery vessel
A general term for various ships used in the fishing industry.
3.2.12
Agricultural vessel
A general term for various ships used for agricultural purposes.
3.2.13
Harbour boat
A general term for ships specifically engaged in harbour duties and maintaining port operations and production.
3.2.14
Passenger ship
A ship carrying more than 12 passengers.
3.2.15
Cruise ship
A large passenger ship that operates on regular, scheduled routes.
3.2.16
Small craft
A boat with a hull length less than or equal to 24 m.
3.2.17
Racing boat
Sports boat
A small boat designed specifically for competition and training in water and sailing sports.
3.2.18
Pleasure yacht
A boat used specifically for sightseeing or water sports.
3.2.19
Ro-ro passenger ship
A ship with multiple decks, used for carrying passengers and vehicles.
3.8.10
Double-skin ship
A ship with a double-skin hull as the main hull structure.
3.8.11
Flatboat
A boat with a flat bottom hull.
3.9 Ships classified by hull material
3.9.1
Steel ship
A ship primarily constructed using steel as the main structural material for the hull.
Standard
GB/T 7727-2025 General terminology for ship (English Version)
GB/T 7727-2025 General terminology for ship English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS 13.220.10
CCS H 57
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 7727-2025
Replaces GB/T 7727.1-2008
General terminology for ship
船舶通用术语
Issue date: 2025-10-31 Implementation date: 2026-05-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Ship types and classifications
3.1 General terms
3.2 Ships classified by use
3.3 Ships classified by navigation area
3.4 Ships classified by navigation state
3.5 Ships classified by propulsion power
3.6 Ships classified by propulsion form
3.7 Ships classified by superstructure form or engine room location
3.8 Ships classified by main hull structure form
3.9 Ships classified by hull material
3.10 Others
4 Ship environment
4.1 General environment
4.2 Climatic environment
4.3 Mechanical environment
5 Ship hydrodynamic performance
5.1 Ship hydrostatic performance
5.2 Ship resistance and propulsion
5.3 Ship maneuverability
5.4 Ship seakeeping
6 Ship general design
6.1 Ship arrangement and main compartment division
6.2 Hull geometric form and dimensions
6.3 Ship volume and weight
7 Shipbuilding materials
7.1 Materials
7.2 Material properties
8 Hull structure, strength, and vibration
8.1 General terms
8.2 Shell plating
8.3 Bottom structure
8.4 Side framing
8.5 Decks and platforms
8.6 Bulkheads and shaft tunnels
8.7 Bow and stern structure
8.8 Foundations
8.9 Superstructures and deckhouses
8.10 Hull strength
8.11 Hull vibration
9 Ship systems
9.1 General terms
9.2 Power system
9.3 Electrical system
9.4 Navigation and communication system
9.5 Auxiliary and living support system
9.6 Ship equipment
10 Ship compartment equipment
11 Ship corrosion and protection
Appendix A (Informative) Major technical changes
References
Index
1 Scope
This document defines the terms and definitions related to ship types and classifications, ship environment, ship hydrodynamic performance, ship general design, shipbuilding materials, hull structure, strength and vibration, ship systems, ship compartments and equipment, ship corrosion and protection.
This document is applicable to research, design, manufacturing, teaching, management, and other application fields of ships.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Ship types and classifications
3.1 General terms
3.1.1
Ship; Vessel
A structure capable of navigating or berthing in water areas, used to perform tasks such as transportation, combat, operations, scientific research, and tourism.
3.1.2
Boat; Craft
A vessel with a full load displacement of 500 t or less.
3.1.3
Raft
A simple, lightweight waterborne conveyance, operational tool, or lifesaving apparatus assembled from certain materials through simple connections or by inflation.
3.2 Ships classified by use
3.2.1
Oil tanker
A ship that transports bulk crude oil, refined oil, and other petroleum or oil-based cargoes.
3.2.2
Container ship
A ship designed for carrying containerized cargo.
3.2.3
Bulk carrier
A ship that transports large quantities of bulk cargo.
3.2.4
Roll-on/roll-off ship (Ro-ro ship)
A ship that loads and unloads cargo, such as vehicles and livestock, using rolling methods.
3.2.5
Liquefied gas carrier
A ship that transports liquefied gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
3.2.6
Chemical tanker
A ship that transports liquid chemicals which are toxic, flammable, highly volatile, and highly corrosive.
3.2.7
Engineering ship
A general term for ships equipped with corresponding specialized equipment to engage in various engineering operations on or under the water, according to specific requirements.
3.2.8
Working ship; Working boat
A general term for ships (boats) used for various maritime services or other work-related activities.
3.2.9
Oceanographic research ship; Oceanographic research vessel
A general term for ships used for marine scientific research, applied technology studies, measurement, or exploration.
3.2.10
Ocean exploiting ship; Ocean exploiting vessel
A general term for ships specialized in exploiting resources in the ocean and on the seabed.
3.2.11
Fishery vessel
A general term for various ships used in the fishing industry.
3.2.12
Agricultural vessel
A general term for various ships used for agricultural purposes.
3.2.13
Harbour boat
A general term for ships specifically engaged in harbour duties and maintaining port operations and production.
3.2.14
Passenger ship
A ship carrying more than 12 passengers.
3.2.15
Cruise ship
A large passenger ship that operates on regular, scheduled routes.
3.2.16
Small craft
A boat with a hull length less than or equal to 24 m.
3.2.17
Racing boat
Sports boat
A small boat designed specifically for competition and training in water and sailing sports.
3.2.18
Pleasure yacht
A boat used specifically for sightseeing or water sports.
3.2.19
Ro-ro passenger ship
A ship with multiple decks, used for carrying passengers and vehicles.
3.8.10
Double-skin ship
A ship with a double-skin hull as the main hull structure.
3.8.11
Flatboat
A boat with a flat bottom hull.
3.9 Ships classified by hull material
3.9.1
Steel ship
A ship primarily constructed using steel as the main structural material for the hull.
