What are Consecutive Voyage Contracts?

• A. A shipping agreement for a single voyage
• B. A shipping agreement committing to back-to-back voyages for a charterer over a fixed period
• C. A time charter for multiple ports
• D. A demolition contract

Answer: (B)

Consecutive voyage contracts are agreements where a vessel is chartered to perform a series of voyages one after another within a defined period, all under the same terms. The charterer supplies the cargo and dictates the routing for each leg, while the shipowner provides the vessel and crew. The key idea is continuous employment—back-to-back voyages with minimal downtime—over the set timeframe. This differs from a contract for a single voyage, which covers only one leg, and from a time charter, which gives the charterer use of the vessel for a period with broader control over its employment rather than a fixed sequence of voyages. A demolition contract is for breaking ships for scrap and isn’t related to voyage movements.