How to Charter a Ship: Step-by-Step Guide for Charterers
Chartering a ship means hiring a ship, or space on it, to carry your cargo. This guide follows the steps from the first idea to the voyage.
1. Define the cargo and the voyage
Write down the cargo, the quantity with a tolerance (for example 30,000 tonnes, 10 percent more or less), the loading port and the discharging port. Add the dates: the laycan is the window in which the ship must be ready to load. Add anything that matters for the ship: a cargo that needs clean holds, a port with a draft limit or no cranes.
2. Choose the charter type
A voyage charter carries one cargo from port to port for an agreed freight. A trip time charter hires the ship for one trip at a daily rate. A time charter hires the ship for a period. A contract of affreightment covers several shipments over time. The article time charter vs voyage charter shows the differences.
3. Choose the ship type and size
Pick the type of ship for your cargo: a bulk carrier for grain or coal, a tanker for liquids, a reefer for chilled cargo, and so on. Then choose the size: Handysize, Supramax, Panamax or Capesize for dry cargo. When in doubt, leave the size open and let ship operators suggest.
4. Post your requirement
Send the details to ship operators. On Shipfixing you post a ship request with the cargo, the ports, the dates and the ship type, and we scan for suitable ships. You can also say how you want to be answered, for example with a freight idea or "best offer".
5. Compare the offers
Compare more than the freight. Look at the ship name and DWT, the age, the flag, the class society, the cranes and holds, the laycan she can meet and the terms for laytime and demurrage. Ask for the ship details so that you can check the ship, and ask for what the ship operator needs from you.
6. Agree the terms and the contract
When both sides agree on the main terms, they confirm them in writing, usually in a short "recap" that lists the ship, the cargo, the ports, the dates, the freight and the main conditions. A longer contract, the charter party, then sets out all the rights and duties. Have a maritime lawyer look at the contract.
7. The voyage
The ship arrives and gives a notice of readiness. Loading starts and the laytime counts. The master signs the bill of lading, and the ship sails. At the discharging port the process repeats. The freight is paid as agreed in the contract, and any delay time is settled according to the demurrage and despatch terms.
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.