Under a Time Charter, which party gains control of the vessel's operations?

Under a Time Charter, which party gains control of the vessel's operations?

• A. Disponent Owner
• B. Head Owner
• C. Charterer
• D. Broker

Answer: (A)

In a time charter, the party that gains control of the vessel’s commercial operations is the disponent owner. This entity hires the vessel from the shipowner for a period and then directs its day-to-day use—choosing routes, cargoes, speed within agreed limits, and port calls. The master and crew follow the disponent owner’s instructions, while ownership remains with the head owner and technical management, including crewing, stays with that owner. The broker facilitates the arrangement but does not control operations. That shift of operational control during the charter period is what the disponent owner represents, making it the best answer.

In a time charter, the party that gains control of the vessel’s commercial operations is the disponent owner. This entity hires the vessel from the shipowner for a period and then directs its day-to-day use—choosing routes, cargoes, speed within agreed limits, and port calls. The master and crew follow the disponent owner’s instructions, while ownership remains with the head owner and technical management, including crewing, stays with that owner. The broker facilitates the arrangement but does not control operations. That shift of operational control during the charter period is what the disponent owner represents, making it the best answer.