Vessel chartering for any purpose

No matter what kind of cargo you need to transport, we can provide the right vessel. Whether it is reefer, ro/ro or dry cargo, we will fulfil your needs with our vessel chartering

24-hour vessel chartering service in any port

Our experienced port agents, working at our offices around the world, are all part of our internal network sharing experiences with each other to provide the best service at all times. Also, each and every one of them have an external network of trustworthy partners which is part of their strong local set-up.

You can always contact us via our 24-hour vessel chartering service, and through our long-lasting relationship with worldwide shipping lines and shipbrokers, we can assist you by providing a vessel for any assignment and for any type of cargo. It is a volatile market and our experts are always updated on the latest market trends to provide you with the best solution.

Select vessel chartering services

Knowledge

Our vessel chartering experts demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about vessels – they will always find a vessel matching your cargo.

Experience

We have decades of experience from negotiating contracts with shipping lines worldwide. We will always provide you with the best solution.

Network

With a worldwide network of shipping agents, shipping lines and our own offices, we can assist you anytime and anywhere.

24/7 service

We always focus on what we can do for our clients. That is why our clients are always able to reach us whenever they need us.

Vessel types

Reefer

We charter all kinds of reefer vessels for the transport of chilled or frozen products. Our focus is to fulfil your needs and provide the perfect solution.

Wind

For years, we have assisted with chartering different types of offshore vessels for some of the largest wind farms worldwide.

Projects

Oil, gas and industrial projects are often characterised by heavy items which need to be transported. We can help you find a vessel for your project.

Offshore crew accommodation

When working on big projects at sea, it might be an advantage for you to accommodate your crew on board a vessel equipped to service the crew when they are not working. Alternatively, you can transport your crew to and from the project location.

We offer an extensive fleet of passenger vessels for offshore accommodation. The vessels will not only offer accommodation for your crew – they will also provide deck capacity for containers, equipment, workshop and welding facilities. This is a flexible solution offering convenience and comfort for your crew. It may also increase your efficiency as you have what you need close to your offshore workplace.

Blue Water is a member of

Fonasba

As a member of the international organisation Fonasba, we provide trustworthy port agency services for ships and shipowners worldwide.

fonasba.com

Bimco

We are part of the worldwide shipbroking organisation BIMCO which keeps us updated on latest developments within the industry.

bimco.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Vessel chartering is the process of hiring an entire ship, or part of a ship's carrying capacity, to transport cargo by sea. Instead of booking space on a scheduled liner service, the charterer arranges a vessel that is suited to the specific cargo, route and timing requirements.

Vessel chartering is commonly used for transporting bulk commodities, breakbulk cargo, heavy-lift shipments, project cargo and oversized equipment that cannot be transported efficiently using regular container services.

Depending on the agreement, the charter may cover a single voyage, a fixed period of time or a long-term contract.

The process begins with an assessment of the cargo, loading and discharge locations, delivery schedule and any technical requirements. Based on these factors, a suitable vessel is identified and charter terms are negotiated between the cargo owner and the vessel owner, often with the support of a shipbroker or logistics provider such as Blue Water.

The charter agreement specifies key details such as:

  • the type and size of the vessel
  • the cargo to be transported
  • loading and discharge ports
  • freight rates and payment terms
  • laytime and demurrage conditions
  • responsibilities for loading, unloading and operating costs.

There are several types of charter agreement, including:

  • Voyage charter is when a vessel is hired for a single voyage between specified ports.
  • A time charter is where a vessel is hired for a defined period and the charterer decides where it will trade.
  • A bareboat (or demise) charter involves the charterer taking operational control of the vessel, including responsibility for crewing and management.

The most suitable type of charter depends on the cargo, transport frequency and operational requirements.

Companies may choose to charter a vessel when standard liner shipping services do not meet their transport requirements.

Vessel chartering is often suitable when:

  • cargo is too large or heavy for container transport
  • large volumes need to be shipped in a single movement
  • the cargo consists of bulk commodities
  • project cargo requires specialised heavy-lift vessels
  • shipments are destined for ports with limited or no regular liner services
  • delivery schedules require greater flexibility than scheduled shipping can provide.

Chartering a vessel gives companies greater control over routing, scheduling and cargo handling, making it a practical solution for complex or large-scale maritime transport projects.

A full vessel charter means one customer hires the entire vessel for their cargo, providing dedicated capacity and greater flexibility. A part vessel charter allows multiple customers to share space on the same vessel, with each paying only for the space their cargo occupies.

The right option depends on the shipment's size, schedule and transport requirements.

Get in touch

Contact us

Let one of our dedicated employees within vessel chartering handle your request or questions. Contact us via the form.

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