Charterparties

Charterparties

Charterparties

Charterparties

Charterparties

Charterparties

A significant proportion of the commercial fleet is not operated by the owners of the respective vessels, but by charterers.

Contracts of affreightment ("charter parties") are agreements with the shipowner to carry goods by water or to furnisch a ship to do so, in terurn of freight to be paid. Depending on the purpose and modalities of the charter, a voyage charter, a time charter or a bareboat charter will be drawn up. 

Insofar as the charterer not only ships his own goods, but also goods from third parties, he will act as a maritime transport operator vis-à-vis the third parties involved in the goods. The chartering contract is in principle seperate from the maritime transport contract. In practice, however, it often happens that the charterer incorporates the content of the charter into the terms and conditions of the bill of lading. In this way, the provisions of the contract of affreightment will still have an effect on the holder of the B/L.

Leeward has extensive experience with the various types of chartering contracts and assisting charterers and shipowners in concluding such contracts. Leeward also assists charterers and ship-owners in all their disputes concerning chartering contracts, both amicably and judicially.

Apart from the shipowner and the charterer, also co-owners, purchasers, mortagor and mortgagee as well as insurers are bound by the charter-party. C/P's stipulates several conditions, warrantees and innominated obligations, reulate the performance of the contract, liability of the owner for loss and damages to goods carried, freigth, demurrage and liens.