CHAPTER III
THE TURN-ROUND OF A SHIP IN PORT
For a proper appreciation of the functions appertaining
to a port, it is desirable to review the whole series of
operations connected with the arrival and departure of a
vessel, the discharge of its cargo and the process of reloading.
 In technical parlance this is known as the
Turn-round of a ship, and a ship is said to be “turned
round ” in port when she has completed the cycle of movements
 comprised in the foregoing outline. The process
is one which affects a great many interests—the shipowner,
 the navigating staff, the charterer, the shipbroker,
the insurance broker, as well as the exporter and the
consignee, and, of course, the port authority.
CHARTERING
In the case of regular steamship lines, the question
of chartering does not enter into consideration, but as
overseas commerce is largely carried on by means of tramp
vessels, which, as explained in Chapter I, are vessels
voyaging from port to port as occasion demands, the
system of chartering is generally prevalent, and forms an
integral part of maritime transactions. The document
embodying the conditions of a charter is called a Charter
Party.
Chartering is effected through a shipbroker, who acts as
a medium between the merchant, or his agent, desirous of
exporting goods, and the shipowner, who has a vessel
available for the purpose. The shipbroker, from his
knowledge of the freight market, is able to arrange the
best terms for his client. It is obvious that a number of
considerations have to be taken into account, not the
least important being the possibility, or probability, of

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