Charterers’ Shipbrokers

Charterers’ Shipbrokers often exclusively serve, and may even be owned by, a single charterer, typically a large trading house or an oil major, though these shipbrokers may not necessarily carry the same name as their parent company.

Charterers’ Shipbrokers might also be independent shipbrokers who specialize in serving multiple charterers, potentially on an exclusive basis.

Shipbroker’s Commission

Some shipbrokers manage all post-fixture activities for their charterers, which can lead to earning both a retainer fee and the standard Shipbroker’s Commission, which amounts to 1.25% of the Total Freight value.

Exclusivity could be limited to the trading center, such as a city or country where the Shipbroker operates, for instance, exclusively within the UK, or it could be global, encompassing all operations worldwide.

Exclusive Shipbrokers

A fully Exclusive Shipbroker does not need to share their exclusivity or work with other Shipbrokers. However, exclusivity confined to a specific country or region might require the services of several Semi-Exclusive Shipbrokers, who are then tasked by the trader to locate a suitable ship.

Direct Shipbrokers

Some shipbrokers, known as Direct Shipbrokers, work directly for charterers and differentiate themselves from other shipbrokers whom they might engage while trying to find the appropriate ship for their principals.

Direct Shipbrokers report directly to the charterers, bypassing any Competitive Intermediary Shipbroker.

Do Not Confuse Charterers’ Agents

The term Charterers’ Agents is sometimes misleading, as it can also refer to Port Agents appointed by the Charterers.

+++