Voyage Charter

A Voyage Charter is the type of charter party where the shipowner agrees to carry a specific cargo on a defined voyage between named load and discharge ports, in exchange for a freight rate (typically per tonne of cargo). The shipowner retains commercial control of the vessel and bears most operating costs — crew, bunkers, port charges — building these into the freight rate.

Key elements of a voyage charter include the cargo description and quantity, named load/discharge ports (or ranges), the lay-can window, the freight rate, laytime allowed for loading/discharge, and demurrage/despatch rates. Standardised forms include GENCON (general cargo), NORGRAIN (grain), SHELLVOY (tankers), SUGAR CHARTER PARTY (sugar), and many trade-specific forms.