Livestock Carrier Charter
Livestock carriers are ships fitted to carry live animals, with ventilated pens, feed and water systems and crew trained to look after the animals on the voyage.
What they carry
Live cattle, sheep and goats, and sometimes other animals, on voyages where the time at sea and the climate are managed with care.
What to prepare
The animal type and number, the ports, the laycan, the voyage length and the health and export papers the countries involved require. Ship operators will ask for these before they offer.
How it is chartered
Usually a voyage charter for a shipment with a lump sum or per head freight, agreed with the ship operator.
How a livestock carrier works
A livestock carrier has several decks of pens with ventilation, drainage, water and feed for the animals. Cattle and sheep are the main cargoes, and the ships range from small coastal ships to large vessels with space for tens of thousands of animals. The crew includes stockmen and a veterinarian for the voyage.
Rules and planning
Animal welfare rules, import and export certificates and health checks decide whether a shipment can go, and they differ by country. The loading time, the voyage length and the weather matter because the animals need feed, water and care at sea. Typical flows go from Australia and South America to the Middle East and Asia, and from Europe and the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Give the species, the number of animals, their weight and the certificates needed.
Search livestock carriers
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.
Related guides
More in vessels
Shipfixing is a digital platform. We are not a ship broker, ship agent or carrier, and we are not a party to any charter.