Explore the top 12 shipbroking and chartering books that every maritime professional, student, and shipping executive should know. Learn the core principles, contract types, legal insights, and market dynamics that drive the world of ship chartering.
Shipbroking and chartering may seem like niche disciplines in the maritime industry, but their impact is global and immense. Every time a cargo ship is hired, a time charter is signed, or a demurrage clause is triggered, there’s a broker or chartering expert behind it.
Whether you’re a cadet eyeing a commercial maritime career, a logistics professional dealing with freight rates, or a veteran broker seeking to stay competitive in today’s fast-moving markets, understanding chartering principles is vital. Books remain one of the best ways to master this complex field—offering clarity, context, and real-world application.
This curated list brings together 12 of the most impactful books on shipbroking and chartering, including classic textbooks, legal commentaries, and modern market guides.
Why Shipbroking and Chartering Matter in Modern Maritime Operations
According to UNCTAD’s 2023 Review of Maritime Transport, around 80% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, and much of it operates under charter party agreements. The effectiveness of shipping contracts, freight negotiations, laytime calculations, and dispute resolution mechanisms depends on the commercial fluency of shipbrokers and chartering professionals.
Organizations like BIMCO, ICS, and the Baltic Exchange continue to train and certify shipbrokers as digitalization, decarbonization, and regulatory pressures reshape traditional roles.
From charter party clauses aligned with IMO emissions reporting to digital freight platforms like Shipnext and Alphaliner, today’s brokers must blend contract knowledge with technological literacy and market awareness.
Top 12 Shipbroking and Chartering Books
1. Shipbroking and Chartering Practice by E.G. Hinkel and H. Goldrein
This book has long been considered the bible for newcomers to chartering, covering voyage, time, and bareboat charters.
- Best for: ICS exam candidates, junior brokers, and commercial operations staff.
2. Laytime and Demurrage by John Schofield
Now in its 8th edition, this title remains the authoritative reference on one of the most contested areas in chartering law.
- Best for: Claims handlers, legal advisors, P&I club professionals.
3. The Law of Shipbuilding Contracts by Simon Curtis
Though focused on shipbuilding, this book is essential for understanding financing, construction milestones, and delivery clauses that intersect with charter arrangements.
- Best for: Charterers, shipowners, marine financiers.
4. Time Charters by Terence Coghlin et al.
Published under the Lloyd’s Shipping Law Library, this title offers clause-by-clause analysis of NYPE and other key charterparty forms.
- Best for: Advanced chartering professionals, legal consultants.
5. Voyage Charters by Julian Cooke et al.
The counterpart to Time Charters, this book focuses on Gencon and Asbatankvoy forms, plus freight rate negotiations.
- Best for: Tanker operators, dry bulk charterers, voyage estimators.
6. The Business of Shipping by Ira Breskin
A broader introduction to the maritime industry, but with valuable chapters on chartering, freight markets, and cargo types.
- Best for: Maritime students, non-specialists in the logistics chain.
7. Marine Insurance Clauses by Geoffrey N Hudson and Tim Madge
While not strictly a chartering text, this book helps explain insurance obligations within charterparty frameworks.
- Best for: Shipowners, brokers, underwriters.
8. Chartering and Shipping Terms by E.L. Cornish
A must-have glossary that decodes hundreds of abbreviations and legal terms used in daily commercial practice.
- Best for: Everyone from trainees to senior chartering executives.
9. Maritime Economics by Martin Stopford
This best-seller explains the forces behind freight rate cycles, ship supply and demand, and market forecasting.
- Best for: Shipbrokers, market analysts, shipping economists.
10. ICS Study Guide Series (Shipbroking and Chartering) by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
These guides are exam-focused but also excellent for real-world understanding of chartering operations.
- Best for: ICS students, training managers, crewing companies.
11. Bills of Lading in Export Trade by Charles Debattista
Essential for understanding how B/Ls relate to charterparties, freight payment, and legal responsibilities.
- Best for: Legal departments, cargo claim managers, traders.
12. The Baltic Code and Market Practice Guides by Baltic Exchange
These aren’t traditional books, but guides available through the Baltic Exchange that reflect real-time brokerage practices.
- Best for: Active shipbrokers and charterers.
Real-World Applications of Chartering Knowledge
Case Study: Demurrage Disputes in Tanker Shipping
A chartering manager for a tanker operator faced a $1 million demurrage claim due to unclear notice of readiness terms. Using Laytime and Demurrage and BIMCO’s Voylayrules, the company successfully negotiated the claim down by 40%.
Case Study: Decarbonization Clauses in Charter Parties
After the introduction of the CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator) by IMO, brokers had to revise charter agreements. The ICS Study Guide and Stopford’s Maritime Economics helped integrate environmental clauses to align with shipowners’ ESG commitments.
Case Study: Digital Freight Platforms and Market Analysis
With platforms like Shipfix and Freightos gaining traction, understanding pricing logic and voyage estimation from books like Voyage Charters and Maritime Economics has become critical for negotiating on digital exchanges.
Case Study: Training and Compliance in Shipbroking
A major European ship management company integrated the ICS Shipbroking syllabus into its in-house training program, reducing contract errors and legal costs by 23% over 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best book for beginners in shipbroking?
Shipbroking and Chartering Practice by Hinkel and Goldrein is comprehensive and accessible.
Is there a difference between voyage and time charters?
Yes. Voyage charters cover a single trip, while time charters hire the vessel for a set period. Books like Voyage Charters and Time Charters explain both forms in detail.
Are these books used for professional exams?
Yes. Titles like ICS Study Guide and Laytime and Demurrage are recommended reading for ICS, FONASBA, and BIMCO training programs.
Do shipbrokers need legal knowledge?
Absolutely. Contract disputes are common. Books like Time Charters and Bills of Lading in Export Trade offer essential legal grounding.
Where can I get updated versions of charterparty clauses?
Refer to BIMCO (https://www.bimco.org) and Baltic Exchange (https://www.balticexchange.com) for the latest charter forms and guidance notes.
Is digital shipbroking replacing traditional methods?
Not entirely. While platforms are growing, human negotiation remains central. However, brokers must now understand analytics and tech—areas covered indirectly by Maritime Economics.
Conclusion
Shipbroking and chartering are more than transactional skills—they are strategic capabilities that shape global trade. From tanker scheduling to dry bulk market predictions, the ability to interpret charterparty clauses, assess freight risk, and align with evolving regulations defines success in maritime commerce.
The 12 books featured here bridge legal knowledge, economic forecasting, real-time operations, and exam preparation. They provide the structure, language, and logic that support every negotiation, fixture, and claim.
If you’re serious about a career in shipbroking, commercial operations, or maritime law, these titles aren’t just helpful—they’re foundational.
References
- UNCTAD. (2023). Review of Maritime Transport. https://unctad.org
- ICS. (2024). Chartering and Shipbroking Modules. https://www.ics.org.uk
- BIMCO. (2023). Voylayrules and CII Clauses. https://www.bimco.org
- Baltic Exchange. (2024). Market Guides and Indices. https://www.balticexchange.com
- Schofield, J. (2021). Laytime and Demurrage (8th ed.). Informa Law.
- Coghlin, T., et al. (2020). Time Charters (7th ed.). Routledge.
- Cooke, J., et al. (2021). Voyage Charters (4th ed.). Routledge.
- Stopford, M. (2020). Maritime Economics (3rd ed.). Routledge.
- Breskin, I. (2018). The Business of Shipping (9th ed.). Cornell Maritime Press.
- Debattista, C. (2011). Bills of Lading in Export Trade. Lloyd’s List Law Reports.
- Hudson, G., & Madge, T. (2017). Marine Insurance Clauses (6th ed.). Informa Law.
- Curtis, S. (2012). The Law of Shipbuilding Contracts (4th ed.). Informa Law.