GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026
Affreightment
Unlike a charter party, which governs the hire of a vessel, affreightment centres on the obligation to carry: affreightment is the contract by which a shipowner or carrier undertakes to transport goods by sea on behalf of a shipper in exchange for agreed freight charges.
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Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affreightment
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Logistics concept
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike a charter party, which governs the hire of a vessel, affreightment centres on the obligation to carry: affreightment is the contract by which a shipowner or carrier undertakes to transport goods by sea on behalf of a shipper in exchange for agreed freight charges. The carrier need not own the vessel – it may have chartered the ship and still act as the contractual counterpart to the shipper. Affreightment applies in both liner services and tramp shipping, forming the legal and commercial foundation of the carriage relationship. It should not be confused with the bill of lading, which is issued subsequently and serves as a receipt and document of title.
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