UNOA character set

When processing an incoming EDIFACT message each software determines the character set to use  from the UNB1 data element. No setting in the trading partner agreement is necessary.

In my EDI environment the most used character set is UNOA.

Here is basic rules for UNOA character set:

• Allowed Characters:

Letters, upper case    A to Z 
Numerals               0 to 9 
Space character
Full stop              . 
Comma                  , 
Hyphen / minus sign    - 
Opening parentheses    ( 
Closing parentheses    ) 
Oblique stroke (slash) / 
Equals sign            = 

• Reserved Characters:

Apostrophe             ' segment terminator 
Plus sign              + segment tag and data element separator 
Colon                  : component data element separator 
Question mark          ? release character *


* ?  immediately preceding one of the characters ‘ + : ? restores their normal meaning. E.g. 
10?+10=20 means 10+10=20. Question mark is represented by ??. 

Call sign and Lloyd's number

One of the most frequent error that I have to handle in my EDI environment, while processing incoming EDI transactions, relates to wrong Call Sign / Lloyd's Number stated into the TDT segment as c222.8213.

Here is some useful sites where you can check about vessels Call Sign, Lloyd's Number and other interesting stuff about ships/boats: 

• Equasis (registration required);
• Marine Traffic;
• Vessel Tracker.

MIG codes legend

When reading a MIG (Message Implementation Guide) you might be disoriented from some strange codes close to the segment description. Let's have a sample:

8077 EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER CODE  C   an..3 

1 Shipper supplied
2 Carrier supplied
5 Third party supplied

What's the meaning of 'C' and 'an..3' ?

I guess that this small legend will fix all your doubts ! :)

Status:   
M= Mandatory
C= Conditional

Size:       

a= alpha character(s)

n= numeric character(s)

an= alphanumeric character(s)

..= size is variable, up to the maximum number indicated