Understanding Charter Party Forms
Simple Guide for Our Valued Clients
A Charter Party is simply the official contract between you (the cargo owner) and the shipowner. It clearly defines all the important terms — freight rate, loading/discharging conditions, responsibilities, timelines, and what happens if things go wrong.
Instead of creating a new contract every time, the shipping industry uses standard, ready-made forms. These forms are trusted worldwide and make negotiations faster and fairer.
Why Do We Use Standard Forms?
- Easy to understand by everyone (brokers, lawyers, captains)
- Saves time during negotiations
- Reduces misunderstandings and disputes
- Well-tested over many years
- We only add or change specific clauses (called Rider Clauses) to suit your cargo and requirements
Most Commonly Used Dry Bulk Charter Party Forms
We have explained the popular forms in a simple way below:
| Form | Best For | What Makes It Special | When We Recommend It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gencon 1994 | Any dry bulk cargo | Most flexible and widely used “all-purpose” form | General cargoes, when no special form is needed |
| NORGRAIN 89 | Grains & Agri Products | Designed specially for wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, etc. | Grain shipments from USA, Canada, Black Sea, etc. |
| OREVOY | Coal, Iron Ore & Heavy Minerals | Made for large volume, heavy cargoes like iron ore & coal | Capesize & Panamax shipments of ores & coal |
| COAL-OREVOY | Coal & Iron Ore trades | Updated version with better terms for mineral trades | Long-haul mineral shipments |
How It Works in Practice
- We select the right form based on your cargo type
- We negotiate favorable terms for you (freight, laytime, demurrage, etc.)
- We add protective rider clauses to safeguard your interests
- Both parties sign the final Charter Party before the vessel is fixed
Our Promise to You
At Ametheus, we always work to protect your interests while keeping a good relationship with shipowners. Our experienced brokers explain every important clause in simple language so you fully understand before signing.
Whether it’s your first shipment or you are a regular client, we make the process transparent and stress-free.
Would you like us to explain any specific Charter Party form in more detail? Feel free to contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the contract step by step.
