Shipping Insights

Shipping Insights & Market Knowledge

Practical chartering guides, dry bulk shipping knowledge and freight market articles prepared by Alestamar International for cargo owners, traders, exporters and shipowners.

Voyage Charter vs Time Charter: Understanding the Key Differences

Learn the differences between voyage charter and time charter agreements, including costs, responsibilities, advantages and practical applications in dry bulk shipping.

Read Article →

What Is a Contract of Affreightment (COA)?

Learn what a Contract of Affreightment (COA) is in shipping, how it works, and when cargo owners use COA agreements for repeated cargo movements.

Read Article →

Handysize vs Supramax Vessel Comparison

Compare Handysize and Supramax vessels in dry bulk shipping, including cargo capacity, port flexibility, trade use and chartering considerations.

Read Article →

What Is Laytime in Shipping?

Understand laytime in shipping, how it is calculated, why it matters and how it affects demurrage, despatch and voyage charter performance.

Read Article →

Demurrage and Despatch Explained

Learn what demurrage and despatch mean in shipping, how they relate to laytime and why they matter in voyage chartering.

Read Article →

How Freight Rates Are Calculated in Dry Bulk Shipping

Learn how dry bulk freight rates are calculated and which factors affect ocean freight costs for bulk cargo shipments.

Read Article →

How Clinker Is Shipped Internationally

A practical guide to international clinker shipping, including vessel selection, loading, discharge, cargo handling and chartering considerations.

Read Article →

Cement Export from Türkiye to West Africa

Understand key shipping considerations for cement and clinker exports from Türkiye to West Africa, including vessel selection, ports and freight planning.

Read Article →

Breakbulk Shipping for Steel Products

Learn how steel products are transported by breakbulk shipping, including vessel selection, cargo handling, securing and operational risks.

Read Article →

How to Choose the Right Vessel for Dry Bulk Cargo

A practical guide to choosing the right vessel for dry bulk cargo based on cargo quantity, port limits, vessel gear, freight cost and operational risk.

Read Article →