Shipbroking Practice and Procedure
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Ship Brokerage course at UK School of Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Affreightment (Time/Voyage)** #
**Affreightment (Time/Voyage)**
* Relates to the hiring of a vessel for the transport of cargo #
* Relates to the hiring of a vessel for the transport of cargo.
* Time charter #
the shipowner rents out the use of the ship for a specific period.
* Voyage charter #
the shipowner rents out the ship's cargo space for a single voyage.
**Agency Agreement** #
**Agency Agreement**
* A contract between a shipowner and a shipbroker, where the broker acts as the… #
* A contract between a shipowner and a shipbroker, where the broker acts as the owner's agent for specific tasks.
* Can include tasks such as negotiating freight rates, arranging cargo, or organ… #
* Can include tasks such as negotiating freight rates, arranging cargo, or organizing repairs.
**Agency Fees** #
**Agency Fees**
* Fees charged by a shipbroker for their services as an agent #
* Fees charged by a shipbroker for their services as an agent.
* Typically calculated as a percentage of the freight rate or a fixed fee per se… #
* Typically calculated as a percentage of the freight rate or a fixed fee per service.
**BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council)** #
**BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council)**
* An international shipping organization that develops standard contracts and cl… #
* An international shipping organization that develops standard contracts and clauses for the shipping industry.
* Provides guidance on various aspects of shipbroking, such as freight rates, ch… #
* Provides guidance on various aspects of shipbroking, such as freight rates, charter parties, and ship sale & purchase.
**Brokerage Commission** #
**Brokerage Commission**
* The fee earned by a shipbroker for their services #
* The fee earned by a shipbroker for their services.
* Usually calculated as a percentage of the freight rate or the value of the shi… #
* Usually calculated as a percentage of the freight rate or the value of the ship or cargo.
**Charter Party** #
**Charter Party**
* A contract between a shipowner and a charterer for the use of a ship #
* A contract between a shipowner and a charterer for the use of a ship.
* Outlines the terms and conditions of the charter, including the freight rate,… #
* Outlines the terms and conditions of the charter, including the freight rate, route, and cargo details.
**COA (Contract of Affreightment)** #
**COA (Contract of Affreightment)**
* A long #
term agreement between a shipowner and a charterer for the transportation of cargo.
* Specifies the terms and conditions for multiple shipments over a defined perio… #
* Specifies the terms and conditions for multiple shipments over a defined period.
**Draft** #
**Draft**
* The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the ship's keel #
* The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the ship's keel.
* Indicates the amount of cargo that can be loaded on a ship, as deeper drafts l… #
* Indicates the amount of cargo that can be loaded on a ship, as deeper drafts limit the ship's ability to enter shallow ports.
**Fixture** #
**Fixture**
* The completion of a deal between a shipowner and a charterer #
* The completion of a deal between a shipowner and a charterer.
* Once a fixture is agreed upon, the terms and conditions are binding for both p… #
* Once a fixture is agreed upon, the terms and conditions are binding for both parties.
**Freight Forwarder** #
**Freight Forwarder**
* A company that organizes the transportation of goods on behalf of shippers #
* A company that organizes the transportation of goods on behalf of shippers.
* Works closely with shipbrokers, shipowners, and charterers to ensure smooth ca… #
* Works closely with shipbrokers, shipowners, and charterers to ensure smooth cargo movement.
**Freight Rate** #
**Freight Rate**
* The cost of transporting cargo from one point to another #
* The cost of transporting cargo from one point to another.
* Can be negotiated between the shipowner and charterer, and is often influenced… #
* Can be negotiated between the shipowner and charterer, and is often influenced by market conditions, such as supply and demand.
**GOO (Gas Oil Online)** #
**GOO (Gas Oil Online)**
* A pricing benchmark for marine gas oil #
* A pricing benchmark for marine gas oil.
* Used as a reference for calculating bunker fuel adjustment factors in shipping… #
* Used as a reference for calculating bunker fuel adjustment factors in shipping contracts.
**LOI (Letter of Indemnity)** #
**LOI (Letter of Indemnity)**
* A document issued by one party to another, promising to compensate for any los… #
* A document issued by one party to another, promising to compensate for any losses or damages incurred.
* Commonly used in shipbroking to cover risks associated with delivering cargo w… #
* Commonly used in shipbroking to cover risks associated with delivering cargo without presentation of original bills of lading.
**Laytime** #
**Laytime**
* The amount of time allowed for loading or discharging cargo #
* The amount of time allowed for loading or discharging cargo.
* Typically specified in a charter party and can be influenced by factors such a… #
* Typically specified in a charter party and can be influenced by factors such as port congestion or adverse weather conditions.
**Maritime Law** #
**Maritime Law**
* The body of laws, conventions, and regulations that govern maritime activities #
* The body of laws, conventions, and regulations that govern maritime activities.
**NVOCC (Non #
Vessel Operating Common Carrier)**
* A company that offers cargo transportation services without owning or operatin… #
* A company that offers cargo transportation services without owning or operating vessels.
* Acts as a shipper and a carrier, often working with shipbrokers to arrange tra… #
* Acts as a shipper and a carrier, often working with shipbrokers to arrange transportation.
**OBO (Ore #
Bulk-Oil)**
* A type of multipurpose vessel designed to carry dry bulk cargo, such as ore, a… #
* A type of multipurpose vessel designed to carry dry bulk cargo, such as ore, and liquid bulk, such as oil.
* Provides flexibility for shipowners and charterers in response to changing mar… #
* Provides flexibility for shipowners and charterers in response to changing market conditions.
**Panamax** #
**Panamax**
* A classification for ships that can pass through the Panama Canal #
* A classification for ships that can pass through the Panama Canal.
* Refers to vessels with a maximum beam (width) of 32 #
2 meters and a maximum draft of 12.04 meters.
**S&P (Ship Sale & Purchase)** #
**S&P (Ship Sale & Purchase)**
* The process of buying and selling ships #
* The process of buying and selling ships.
* Involves negotiations between the buyer and seller, with shipbrokers often act… #
* Involves negotiations between the buyer and seller, with shipbrokers often acting as intermediaries.
**Suezmax** #
**Suezmax**
* A classification for ships that can pass through the Suez Canal #
* A classification for ships that can pass through the Suez Canal.
* Refers to vessels with a maximum draft of 20 #
1 meters, allowing them to navigate the canal's shallowest points.
**TCE (Time Charter Equivalent)** #
**TCE (Time Charter Equivalent)**
* A measure of the earnings generated by a time chartered ship #
* A measure of the earnings generated by a time chartered ship.
* Calculated by multiplying the daily time charter rate by the number of availab… #
* Calculated by multiplying the daily time charter rate by the number of available days and then subtracting operating expenses.
**TEU (Twenty #
Foot Equivalent Unit)**
* A standard unit of measurement for containerized cargo #
* A standard unit of measurement for containerized cargo.
* Represents the volume of a 20 #
foot long container, with one TEU equal to approximately 39 cubic meters.
**Voyage Estimate** #
**Voyage Estimate**
* A detailed calculation of the costs and revenues associated with a specific vo… #
* A detailed calculation of the costs and revenues associated with a specific voyage.
* Includes items such as fuel, port charges, and crew wages, and is used to dete… #
* Includes items such as fuel, port charges, and crew wages, and is used to determine the viability of a voyage.
**Worldscale** #
**Worldscale**
* A standardized system for calculating tanker freight rates #
* A standardized system for calculating tanker freight rates.
* Provides a uniform basis for comparing freight rates, making it easier for shi… #
* Provides a uniform basis for comparing freight rates, making it easier for shipowners and charterers to negotiate deals.