1
This substantial new edition brings a fresh and practical approach to chartering and a succinct explanation of how the business of shipping is put-together. In this manual, Thomas Pagonis and Captain Nick Pentheroudakis have taken the main themes back to basics and then built on those foundations clearly and wisely so that the complexities of international trade and chartering are penetrable to practitioners of all levels. Most importantly, their real-world focus, which is based on extensive experience, steers the reader through theory and applicable law which are all too easy to get lost in. This is a handy go-to manual.
Ian Clarke, CEO – Hellas – “West of England (Hellas) Ltd.”
2
The recognition and distinction of the names alone of Captain Nick Pentheroudakis and Thomas Pagonis guarantee that the book is complete, authoritative and accurate.
Their unrepeated competitive chartering experience starts from seventies and they lived all the shocking changes in shipping from “Oil Crisis” to “Lehman Brothers” and the great difference in behavior of Charterers and Shipowners, in high and low market levels, during negotiations and drafting of Charter Parties terms. The “plus” of this simple and easy to read book is that beyond chartering itself, it also deals with important elements of trading, banking, legal, maritime cyber-crime, electronic bills of lading… etc.
It is my pleasure to strongly recommend this manual as a valuable tool to everyone dealing with shipping from chartering executives to students and from ship agents to ship masters.
Iakovos (Jack) Archontakis Maritime investments consultant Chartering Broker at “Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc.”
3
“Chartering Manual by Practitioners” by T.J. Pagonis and N. Pentheroudakis is a surprisingly invaluable book for anyone involved in shipping. Chartering is a multidisciplinary activity, which requires broad knowledge of every aspect of shipping. The book written by extremely experienced shipbrokers gives an overview of the whole spectrum of shipping activities in a simple manner but at the same time with all necessary details to make the reader understand how shipping works in real life. The book is exactly what it says in its title: a manual and at the same time a reference book. You can use it to understand (and learn) how things work in shipping generally or find the solution to a specific question you may have by looking the relevant chapter. It is a tool of work. The book covers all aspects of shipping: The persons involved, the cargoes, the ships, the insurance, the classification societies and of course the types of charters and the chartering procedures. The subjects covered range from traditional issues like classic marine insurance (H+M, war risk and P+I) up to the most modern ones like kidnap and ransom or cyber-crime. The practical “real life” experience of the authors but at the same time their solid theoretical background is evidenced in every single page of the book. The book should become a companion to anyone involved in shipping. Whether to have an overview of shipping or to look at a specific issue the book, at some moment, will need to be looked at.
Gregory Timagenis, LLM, PhD (Lond), Attorney at Law, President of the “Hellenic Maritime Law Association”.
4
The modern and updated way of presentation of the chapters, in conjunction with the easy to understand court cases, which support the charter party clauses, are rare to find them all in a single manual. In our job we definitely need professional tools written by people with whom we share the same language. This conceivable book in an invaluable assistant to all of us either home or competitive brokers.
I then warmly recommend this tool to everyone “in” or “near” the shipping community.
Sakis Moissoglou (MICS)Dry Cargo Chartering Manager of “Anangel Shipping Enterprises S.A.”
5
It’s really a great joy finding a book that encompasses all aspects of the shipping business, treating it with just its exact complexity and the importance of such a cardinal profession in today modern’s world. This is more than a guide to expand someone’s knowledge in Chartering, but also an inspiration for anyone seeking to start a career in any of the areas explored in the book. Praise for Pagonis and Pentheroudakis for ilustrating so well the journey of the shipping business since its origins till it’s relevance in today’s exciting new world.
Rodrigo Leandro Chartering Manager MUR Shipping, Dubai
6
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone hungry for a practical approach to the world of chartering. Drafted in a straightforward and to the point manner, this book tackles all practical matters surrounding the world of chartering. Though a complex business, the authors presents it in simple and constructive terms.
Dr. Miquel Roca Solicitor, Managing Partner at “LMA Legal”, London, / Spanish Avogado, F.L.C. Texas, Lecturer at “ALBA”, Athens MBA/Msc.
7
Taking inspiration from their own extensive experiences, the authors have published a ‘road map’ to the industry. «Chartering Manual by Practitioners» is packed with invaluable information also introducing concepts that have never been shared before. Important topics from theory to innovative practices are shared in succinct and reader – friendly language. This practical ‘text book’ is certain to contribute to the continued professional development of experts and beginners alike.
George Leventis, Chartering Manager of “Transmed Shipping”, Athens, BIMCO’s Consultative Brokers’ Panels 1989/2011. Member of “H.S.A.” and member of its Educational committee 1987/…,, Member of “PAMA”
8
This book gives a 360° vision of what shipping is all about: from theory to practice, giving the readers the feeling to actually run the management of a ship or of any commodities and shipping negotiations.
It is an extremely useful guide both for those who are approaching the shipping industry and to all those professionals, who already have quite some experience in this industry, giving them that extra knowledge and information which can be showed in various cases that shipping may present. The Chartering Manual by Practitioners” is very easy to read and understand, also thanks to the good practical examples showing real business calculations and cases. I warmly recommend this book to the shipping community; the fundamentals of shipping are all written and stated here very precisely. Without good fundamentals, it is hard to build a better future for this industry.
Eugenio De Paolis, President of “Bulkmare International Group” (Shipbrokers / Shipagents), Member of the “Chamber of Commerce of Genova”, Member of the “PAMA”, Author of three books on Shipping in Italian language.
9
The importance and originality of this book are self-evident from its title: Chartering Manual by Practitioners. It is intended as a useful Manual and Guide book for Practitioners and students, I would add. Both Capt. Nick Pentheroudakis and Mr. Thomas Pagonis have managed to combine their extensive, unique experience in chartering, ship management and freight trading and have created a practical textbook. Their approach to difficult legal areas is innovative, as both authors have managed through simple yet precise definitions and case studies to explain complicated notions that always cause dilemmas, if not distress, to students and young professionals. In most educational establishments in Greece and abroad, chartering has been taught by maritime lawyers and experienced Merchant Marine officers. In their courses, most lecturers place emphasis on case law and more importantly on their own practical experience. However, this edition contains not only the usual chapters found in other similar text books but also chapters that introduce new concepts that have often been ignored by other authors: strategic thinking and decision making in chartering are pivotal yet under researched in both academic and practical chartering management areas. The new generation of chartering managers has to demonstrate not only sophisticated soft skills and excellence in communications but must also be able to understand complex issues that need legal reasoning. Today, more than ever perhaps, managers in the shipping industry have also to develop sound and clear-cut strategies and prepare in advance for risk and, unfortunately, in some cases, for crisis management procedures. This publication relates how shipping has progressed during these past decades and explains why contemporary chartering managers need more than a smile to convince stakeholders, in this volatile era, that they are playing their cards right.
Ilias G Bissias Attorney at Law, Director “Naftika Chronika”, Lecturer “ALBA” Graduate Business School – “ACG”.
10
An edition where the past implements the present needs for further future use, for all those who are wishing to be “duly” aware, alerted and mainly “covered” by the content of this presentation, during their daily workflow. Theory and practice both critical elements to success, issued by those who, having invigorated their passion of their profession, are willing to relay same to the existed shipping industry employees, new comers recently joined and to all those prospective athletes in Shipping.
“I don’t care if I’m dying but the more I live, I’m learning and I’m studying”
The value of content known, value for future reference … known, value and ethos of both writers known, simply need to be studied carefully whereupon the outcome of positive and constructive results will appear and will never vanish. Congratulations!!!
Capt George Tsouris, Operations Manager, Deputy DPA-CSO at “Blue Planet Shipping Ltd.”. President of “Chios Marine Club”, Member of Board of “Panhellenic Sea Masters and Mates Union”, “Member of Disciplinary Committee of Merchant Navy”.