This book sets out to achieve three key objectives: the competent handling of contracts, the accurate calculation of voyage costs and effective commercial communication with commercial interests ashore and sea staff. The chapters cover: vessel characteristics, maximising cargo capacity, voyage costs estimating, time charter parties, bill of lading, oil cargo measurement, draft surverys, fuel management, financial planning, letters of credit, arbtration – plus extensive references and sample commercial documents and correspondence. The book is filled with real practical advice and its value as a reference work is derived from the comprehensive index.