Editing The Cluster Falk:Star Trading (section)

== '''Ship Charters''' ==

These are the main types of charters availlable for ships trading between star systems:

*A bareboat charter is an arrangement for the hiring of a vessel for which no administration or technical maintenance is included as part of the agreement. The charterer obtains possession and full control of the vessel, along with the legal and financial responsibilities for it. The charterer pays for all operating expenses, including fuel, crew, port expenses and P&I and hull insurance. The charter period may last for many years and may end with the charterer acquiring title (ownership) of the ship. Typical profit margin for a bareboat charter is 20-30%
*A voyage charter is the hiring of a vessel and crew for a voyage between a load port and a discharge port. The charterer pays the vessel owner on a per-ton or a lump-sum basis. The owner pays the port costs (excluding stevedoring), fuel costs and crew costs. The payment for the use of the vessel is known as freight. A voyage charter specifies a period, known as laytime, for loading and unloading the cargo. If laytime is exceeded, the charterer must pay demurrage. If laytime is saved, the charter party may require the shipowner to pay despatch to the charterer. Typical profit margin for a voyage charter is 30-40%
*A time charter is the hiring of a vessel for a specific period of time. The owner supplies the vessel and crew, but the charterer selects the ports, route and transit times. The charterer pays for all fuel the vessel consumes, port charges, commissions and a daily hire to the owner of the vessel. The charterer in that sense takes full commercial control of the vessel during the time charter period. The operation of the vessel itself remains with the owner. Typical profit margin for a time charter is 30-40%

All of these types are more common than ship owners or line operators actually buying cargo to ship.

All profit margins quoted are optimum. Independent operators are liable to be quoted far lower rates, unless they're in an advantageous position.

Charter regulations are enforced by the leading local power.