Charterparties

Representing traders and sellers of cargo together with their brokers and insurers who charter their own vessels on time or voyage charterparty, our team at Cargo Law provides comprehensive guidance on charterparty wordings prior to fixing the vessel, or when there is a dispute.

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Charterparties FAQs

Cargo Law are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

What are the key provisions that should be included in a charterparty?

A charterparty will usually be based on standard terms used in the industry but parties often tailor their own rider or additional clauses. A charter should include essential provisions such as details of the vessel, duration and terms of the charter, freight rates, laytime and demurrage provisions, responsibilities of the parties, indemnities, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution mechanisms. It's crucial to ensure the agreement is clear and bespoke clauses are effective if they seek to override standard wordings.

What remedies are there in English Law for breaches of charterparty?

The legal remedies for parties in cases of breach of charter may include rights to claim damages for non-performance, termination of the charterparty, or specific performance of contractual obligations. Parties should seek legal advice in case of disputes or breaches.

What legal issues arise from charterparties for clients transporting cargo?

Certain bills of lading, particularly those used for shipment of commodities will incorporate the terms of a charterparty. Buyer or receiver of cargo may find that terms and conditions which are not directly visible on the bill of lading govern their relationship with the carrier. If the cargo is lost or damaged, the terms of the governing charter can become highly relevant to resolving the dispute.