What does Always afloat mean in shipping?

Always afloat

Meaning

Always afloat (AA) means the ship must be able to stay afloat at all states of the tide at the berth or place it is ordered to.

Also written as NAABSA, Not always afloat but safely aground

Always afloat explained

Tankers are almost always chartered on always-afloat terms. The opposite, NAABSA (not always afloat but safely aground), is used for small ships at tidal berths where sitting on a soft bottom is normal.

Related terms

Safe port
A safe port is one the ship can reach, use and leave without being exposed to danger that good seamanship can't avoid; charterers usually warrant it.
Draft
Draft (or draught) is the depth of the ship below the waterline. It limits which ports, berths and canals a laden tanker can use.