How Port Restrictions Change the Choice of Vessel

A vessel may look suitable for a cargo on paper and still be impossible to use for the actual voyage.

Deadweight is only one part of vessel selection. Port restrictions can eliminate otherwise attractive tonnage before commercial negotiations even begin.

The most common limitations include:

• maximum permissible draft;
• berth length;
• channel depth;
• air draft;
• crane restrictions;
• tidal windows;
• maximum vessel dimensions;
• local requirements for loading or discharging.

This is particularly important for dry bulk, breakbulk and project cargoes moving through smaller regional ports.

A larger vessel may offer a lower theoretical freight per tonne, but that advantage disappears if the vessel cannot enter the loading port fully laden.

The same applies at discharge.

For project cargo, the problem can be even more specific. A vessel may have enough crane capacity but insufficient outreach at the nominated berth. Heavy units may require a different berth, shore crane or alternative loading method.

This is why Kiev Shipping checks not only vessel availability but also whether the proposed tonnage is commercially and operationally realistic for the intended ports.

A freight indication based on unsuitable tonnage has little value.

For cargo owners, useful information at the enquiry stage includes the cargo, quantity, laycan, ports, loading and discharging terms and any known draft or berth restrictions.

The earlier these restrictions are identified, the fewer unsuitable vessels need to be considered.

For international vessel options and freight indications, see our ship chartering services.