Time charter is a legal term used in maritime industry to describe a charter agreement where the charterer hires a vessel for a specific period of time. The word "time" is pronounced as /taɪm/ and "charter" is pronounced as /ˈtʃɑːtər/. The spelling of "time charter" is consistent with the pronunciation of its individual parts. It is a commonly used term in the shipping industry to describe a specific type of charter agreement.
A time charter refers to a legally binding agreement between a shipowner (charterer) and a charterer (usually a company or entity) to lease a vessel for a specific period of time. In this type of charter, the charterer does not own the ship but has the right to use it exclusively for the agreed-upon duration.
Under a time charter, the charterer assumes responsibility for all expenses related to the operation and maintenance of the vessel during the agreed time frame. This includes covering fuel costs, crew wages, insurance, and other running expenses. In return, the charterer obtains complete control over the ship's operations, including routes, loading, and unloading destinations.
The duration of a time charter is typically defined in terms of months or years. Both parties enter into negotiations to decide on the charter rate, which usually involves a fixed daily or monthly fee, payable to the shipowner throughout the agreed period.
Time charters provide several advantages for both shipowners and charterers. Shipowners can benefit from long-term contracts, ensuring a continuous revenue stream and predictable cashflow. Charterers, on the other hand, gain flexibility without the capital investment of vessel ownership, enabling them to fulfill their shipping needs without the long-term commitment. Additionally, time charters offer a level of control and operational efficiency for the charterer, allowing for effective planning and coordination of transport logistics.
The word "time charter" originated from the combination of two separate words: "time" and "charter".
The term "charter" comes from the Latin word "charta", meaning "a paper, document, or letter". It evolved in Medieval Latin to "chartula", which referred to a legal document, specifically a letter or deed. This later influenced the Old French term "chartre", which meant "charter" or "official paper". Eventually, the word was adopted into Middle English as "chartre" before transforming to its current spelling, "charter".
The word "time" has its roots in Old English as "tim(e)", which meant "a duration", "a period", or "a season". It had Indo-European origins and was related to other Germanic languages, such as Old Saxon "timi" and Old Norse "timi", both meaning "period" or "time".