SOME LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF BAREBOAT CHARTER AS PER ENGLISH PRIVATE MARITIME LAW

This article explores the legal and financial dimensions of bareboat (demise) chartering under English maritime law. It examines the fundamental characteristics of the bareboat charter agreement, including the allocation of rights and obligations between the shipowner and charterer. Special emphasis is placed on the legal transfer of control and operational responsibilities to the charterer, who temporarily assumes the position of shipowner and carrier. The paper analyses standard contract structures, such as those following the BIMCO BARECON 2001 format, as well as the financial mechanisms through which such agreements may function as lease-purchase arrangements. Comparative perspectives from international legal scholarship are included to distinguish bareboat chartering from other forms such as time or voyage charters. The study also reflects on the economic significance of these charters, their typical use in managing operational risks, and their applicability in modern commercial and specialized shipping.