Vessel charter
Chartering a vessel for project cargo
A charter fixes a whole ship, or part of one, for a project’s cargo on the project’s dates and ports. Heavy-lift ships in one fleet offer up to 3,372 m² of free deck and two cranes lifting 2,205 US tons (2,000 t) together[1].
What heavy-lift ships can lift
Ship types in one heavy-lift operator’s published fleet list. The ship on the fixture, not the type, sets the limit.
| Ship type | Cranes | Combined lift | Hold (L × W × H) | Free deck space[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 183 | 1,102 US tons (1,000 t) × 2 | 2,205 US tons (2,000 t) | 351 ft 5 in × 55 ft 9 in × 44 ft 3 in (107.10 × 17.00 × 13.50 m) | 3,215–3,372 m² |
| Orca | 882 US tons (800 t) × 2 | 1,764 US tons (1,600 t) | 351 ft 1 in × 60 ft 8 in × 43 ft 8 in (107 × 18.5 × 13.3 m) | 3,330 m² |
| Type 176 | 772 US tons (700 t) × 2, plus 386 US tons (350 t) | 1,543 US tons (1,400 t) | 351 ft 5 in × 55 ft 9 in × 43 ft (107.10 × 17.00 × 13.10 m) | 2,918 m² |
| Type 116 | 496 US tons (450 t) × 2 | 992 US tons (900 t) | 309 ft 3 in × 53 ft 2 in × 39 ft 8 in (94.25 × 16.20 × 12.08 m) | 2,311 m² |
Full charter, part charter or liner
| Method | Use it when | Avoid it when |
|---|---|---|
| Full charter | The cargo fills most of the ship, or the project needs the ship on fixed dates at ports no liner calls. | The cargo fills only part of the ship: the empty space is paid for. |
| Part charter | A large share of a ship on a voyage the operator already plans. | The project dates do not match the voyage. |
| Liner breakbulk | A few pieces on a regular route. | The project needs a port or date the liner does not offer. |
How a charter is fixed
- 01
Cargo list
Every piece with its weight, dimensions and stacking limits, and the load and discharge ports.
- 02
Ship selection
A ship whose cranes, hold and deck take the heaviest and largest piece[1].
- 03
Fixture
Laycan, freight terms and the time allowed for loading and discharge.
- 04
Stowage and lashing plan
The operator’s engineers place and fasten every piece before the ship arrives.
Rules that apply
- Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau
Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[2][3]
Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle
- ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS
Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[4]
Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage
- Brown marmorated stink bug season: AustraliaAustralian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Target high-risk goods shipped from the United States between 1 September and 30 April need mandatory treatment, judged by the shipped-on-board date. Flat rack, open top and breakbulk cargo must be treated before it leaves; if untreated, it is refused discharge or sent back. Heat treatment holds 56 °C at the coldest surface for 30 minutes, and for break bulk pieces under 6,610 lb (3,000 kg) 60 °C for 10 minutes.[5]
Applies to: Machinery, vehicles, steel and other listed goods (HS chapters 84, 85 and 87 among them) shipped from the U.S. by sea, 1 September to 30 April
Questions about chartering
When is a charter cheaper than liner shipping?
When the cargo fills most of the ship, or when liner shipping would need transshipments, extra lifts or a long wait for a sailing.
What is laycan?
The window of dates in which the ship must arrive at the load port, agreed in the charter.
Can a chartered ship load at a small port?
Often, because heavy-lift ships carry their own cranes. The port’s depth, berth length and quay strength still have to fit the ship and cargo.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.
- [1]SAL Heavy Lift, Fleet list (April 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [2]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
- [4]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
- [5]Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Seasonal measures for brown marmorated stink bug, checked October 18, 2026
Send us the machine and the destination
Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.