Off-Hire
A period during a time charter when the charterer stops paying hire because the ship cannot perform: breakdown, drydock or detention.
- Category
- Chartering
- Last reviewed
How it works
Off-hire suspends the charterer’s obligation to pay daily hire when the vessel is unable to fully perform the service for reasons within the owner’s sphere, such as machinery breakdown, deficiency of crew, drydocking or a detention attributable to the ship.
The off-hire clause in the charter party defines exactly which events qualify and how time is counted. Off-hire is a frequent source of dispute because owner and charterer often disagree on whether the ship was genuinely unable to perform.
Where it shows up on The Maritime
Also known as: off hire, offhire.
Related terms
Time Charter (T/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.
Charter Party (C/P)
The contract between shipowner and charterer setting out the terms of hiring a vessel or carrying a cargo.
Port State Control (PSC)
The inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify they meet international safety and environmental standards.
More chartering terms
A 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: .