🔍 Key Concepts

• The document that records the terms and conditions for hiring a whole ship or part of a ship • The difference between a legal contract to employ a vessel and documents used only for cargo or preliminary negotiations • Common commercial shipping documents: charter party, bill of lading, cargo declaration

💭 Think About

• Which of these options represents an actual contract that spells out the rights and responsibilities of both shipowner and charterer? • Which terms in the choices are typically temporary, preliminary, or related only to cargo details rather than the full hire of the vessel? • Think about which document is used as the core legal basis when a vessel is placed at the disposal of a charterer.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which term is defined in maritime practice as the contract of carriage or hire between shipowner and charterer. • Check which option is commonly used only as a preliminary expression of intent, not a binding shipping contract. • Confirm which documents (from the choices) are normally cargo-related forms rather than the agreement to hire the ship itself.