Charter Party

Definition
a contract by which an entire ship or some principal part thereof is let by the owner to another person for a specified time or use.

Cases
Planters Products v. CA Coast Lighterage v. CA Maritime Agencies v. CA Litonjua v. NSB Puromines v. CA Ouano v. CA Loadstar v. Pioneer Asia

Planters Products v. CA
At any rate, the rule in the United States that a ship chartered by a single shipper to carry special cargo is not a common carrier, does not find application in our jurisdiction, for we have observed that the growing concern for safety in the transportation of passengers and /or carriage of goods by sea requires a more exacting interpretation of admiralty laws, more particularly, the rules governing common carriers.

Coast Lighterage v. CA
To create a demise, the owner of a vessel must completely and exclusively relinquish possession, command and navigation thereof to the charterer, anything short of such a complete transfer is a contract of affreightment (time or voyage charter party) or not a charter party at all.

Maritime Agencies v. CA
A demise involves the transfer of full possession and control of the vessel for the period covered by the contract, the charterer obtaining the right to use the vessel and carry whatever cargo it chooses, while manning and supplying the ship as well. A time charter is a contract to use a vessel for a particular period of time, the charterer obtaining the right to direct the movements of the vessel during the chartering period, although the owner retains possession and control. A voyage charter is a contract for the hire of a vessel for one or a series of voyages usually for the purpose of transporting goods for the charterer. The voyage charter is a contract of affreightment and is considered a private carriage.

Litonjua v. NSB
It is well settled that in a demise or bare boat charter, the charterer is treated as owner pro hac vice of the vessel, the charterer assuming in large measure the customary rights and liabilities of the shipowner in relation to third persons who have dealt with him or with the vessel. In such case, the Master of the vessel is the agent of the charterer and not of the shipowner. The charterer or owner pro hac vice, and not the general owner of the vessel, is held liable for the expenses of the voyage including the wages of the seamen.

Puromines v. CA
Assuming that in the present case, the charter party is a demise or bareboat charter, then Philipp Brothers is liable to Puromines, Inc., subject to the terms and conditions of the sales contract. On the other hand, if the contract between respondent and the owner of the vessel MV "Liliana Dimitrova" was merely that of affreightment, then it cannot be held liable for the damages caused by the breach of contract of carriage, the evidence of which is the bills of lading. In any case, whether the liability of respondent should be based on the sales contract or that of the bill of lading, the parties are nevertheless obligated to respect the arbitration provisions on the sales contract and/or the bill of lading. Petitioner being a signatory and party to the sales contract cannot escape from his obligation under the arbitration clause as stated therein.

Codal
Art. 652 -668 forms and effects of charter parties Art. 679 687 Obligation of Charterers Article 668 692 Total or partial rescission of charter parties