ABSTRACT
The traditional voyage charter agreements as drawn up in standard forms for chartering are designed for the situation: one agreement—one voyage. There is, however, very often a need for a contract which covers several shipments. This is sometimes arranged by time chartering and sometimes by voyage chartering for consecutive voyages. In both cases the voyages are normally performed with the same vessel and in direct continuation. A somewhat different method is the use of a so-called contract of affreightment (CoA). Agreements covering more than one shipment or voyage give rise to several questions in addition to the questions arising in contracts covering one voyage only. This chapter focuses on some of the questions arising under volume contracts of affreightment. The CoA is often a practical solution for the shipowner as well as for the charterer. A number of standard documents are in use for voyage chartering, time chartering and bareboat chartering.
