Bareboat CharterBBC
A lease of the bare ship with no crew or management, where the charterer becomes the de-facto operator for the period.
A bareboat (or demise) charter hands over the ship itself: the charterer mans, manages, insures and operates the vessel and pays all costs, while the registered owner simply receives hire. It is effectively a financing or long-term control structure rather than transport employment.
Bareboat arrangements are common in ship finance, leasing and flag-of-convenience registration, and the bareboat charterer is often shown as the disponent owner or operator in trading and compliance records.
On TheMaritime
Also known as: demise charter, bareboat.
Related terms
Time CharterT/C
A contract to hire a fully crewed ship for a period at a daily rate, with the charterer directing employment and paying voyage costs.
Voyage Charter
A contract to carry a specific cargo between named ports for a freight rate, with the owner paying the voyage costs.
Charter PartyC/P
The contract between shipowner and charterer setting out the terms of hiring a vessel or carrying a cargo.
Flag State
The country in which a ship is registered, whose laws she sails under and which is responsible for her regulatory oversight.
Plain-English reference definition — our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: June 2026.