We regularly charter complete vessels or part-cargo space on vessels for different types of cargo. Our team follows high service standards and aims to exceed client expectations.
Our main objective is to optimise sea-transport costs, protect the interests of charterers, cargo owners, shippers and consignees, and support the client’s commercial result.
What is ship chartering?
Ship chartering means booking an entire vessel or part of its cargo capacity for a specific voyage or period. It is generally used for large volumes of bulk, liquid, breakbulk, project or oversized cargo where flexibility, control and selection of the right vessel are critical.
Maritime law, charter-party contracts and shipping practice require specialised knowledge and experience. Charter Party terms, cargo-handling rates, laytime, demurrage liability and port restrictions differ significantly from standard inland freight arrangements.
We work with a broad network of shipowners and brokers worldwide, allowing us to compare market options and select the most suitable vessel for the specific cargo and route.
Process
1. Cargo and voyage requirements assessment
We assess the cargo type and volume, loading and discharge ports, timing and technical requirements for the vessel.
2. Vessel search and offer comparison
We approach shipowners and brokers and compare suitable vessels, freight rates and available voyage schedules.
3. Charter terms negotiation
We coordinate the main Charter Party terms, cargo-handling rates, laytime, responsibilities, demurrage provisions and other commercial conditions.
4. Port and cargo-handling coordination
We coordinate vessel arrival, terminal arrangements, cargo-handling operations, documentation and other actions required to perform the voyage.
5. Voyage monitoring and completion
We monitor the vessel’s voyage, coordinate any issues that arise and complete the chartering process after cargo delivery and final documentation.
Cargo and voyage requirements assessment
Charter terms negotiation
Voyage monitoring and final delivery
Vessel search and offer comparison
Port and cargo-handling coordination
- 1
Cargo and voyage requirements assessment
- 2
Vessel search and offer comparison
- 3
Charter terms negotiation
- 4
Port and cargo-handling coordination
- 5
Voyage monitoring and final delivery
Advantages
Chartering a vessel may seem complex at first because it is a substantial commercial commitment, but a closer look reveals several advantages that are specific to this service:
Lower transport cost
When shipping several thousand tonnes or other large cargo volumes, chartering an entire vessel or part of its capacity can often reduce the transport cost per tonne.
Flexibility
A vessel, cargo holds and handling conditions can be selected according to the cargo type, and the solution can be adjusted to the specific voyage if circumstances change.
Control
The route, loading and discharge ports, timing, cargo-handling rates and other voyage parameters can be negotiated instead of relying on a fixed liner-shipping schedule.
Charter contracts
Ship chartering offers flexibility to match your cargo-transport requirements and provides several charter-contract options:
This type of charter is used when a vessel is chartered for a specific voyage from point A to point B.
The vessel is chartered for an agreed period rather than for one specific route, regardless of the number of voyages performed during that period.
Similar to LCL container shipping and LTL road freight, a part-cargo charter means reserving only a specific part of the vessel's cargo capacity for the shipment.
We aim to ensure that each contract is clear, specific, protects your interests and reflects the actual transport requirements.
FAQ
Ship chartering means reserving an entire vessel or part of its capacity for a specific voyage or period. It is most commonly used for large-volume bulk, liquid, project or oversized cargo and provides greater control over the vessel, route and cargo-handling conditions than standard liner container shipping.
A Charter Party is the contract between the shipowner and charterer. It sets out the freight rate, cargo, ports, handling rates, laytime, responsibilities, demurrage conditions and other rules for the specific voyage.
Price depends on vessel supply and demand, cargo quantity and type, route, fuel prices, port charges and technical vessel requirements. Cargo-handling speed is also important: slower handling increases vessel-occupancy costs and the risk of demurrage. Geographic and climatic conditions such as strong winds, ice, draught restrictions and seasonal port limitations can also increase risk and freight cost.
Chartering involves specialised maritime law, practice, terminology and contractual responsibilities that differ significantly from road-freight standards. Poorly negotiated cargo-handling rates, laytime, demurrage or port conditions can lead to substantial additional costs.
