How Ship Operators Find Cargo: Vessel Positions, Open Ships and Fixtures
A ship that has discharged and has no next cargo is an open ship. This guide shows how ship operators find cargo for it and what to send so that a charterer can decide quickly.
The open ship
A ship is "open" in a port or an area from a certain date: it is free to take a cargo. The earlier the ship operator finds the next cargo, the less time the ship waits. Ship operators plan the next fixture while the ship is still on its previous voyage.
The vessel position list
The classic tool is the vessel position list, also called an open position list: a daily or weekly list of the ship operator's ships with name, size, open port and open date. It is sent to brokers and charterers, who look for a ship that fits their cargo. A clear list gives the ship name, DWT, ship type, whether the ship has cranes, the open area and date, and the last cargo.
Brokers, market reports and fixture lists
Chartering brokers know which cargoes are looking for a ship and tell the ship operator. Market reports and fixture lists show which ships were fixed for which cargoes, and where the market is moving.
Platforms
On a platform such as Shipfixing, charterers post their ship requests, and ship operators who have a suitable ship can send an offer. A ship operator who joins can add its ships, and answers by email to requests that fit its ships.
What to send in an offer
The ship name and size, the open position, the cargo intake for the voyage, the freight or hire, the laytime and demurrage terms and anything the charterer needs to approve the ship. Short, clear offers get faster answers. See laycan, laytime and demurrage.
After the offer
If the charterer accepts, the parties confirm the terms in a recap and then in the charter party. Read ship operator, owner and disponent owner explained for the parties on the ship side.
Post your ship request
Shipfixing connects charterers and ship operators. We scan for suitable ships. Voyage requests for ships below 10,000 DWT need no signup and no membership.
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Shipfixing is a digital platform. We are not a ship broker, ship agent or carrier, and we are not a party to any charter.